Few stores achieve the illustrious success of Britain's international Marks & Spencer.

They have hundreds of stores around the world from Abu-Dhabi, Europe to Hong Kong.

Marble Arch, the company's flagship store opened in Oxford Street, London 1930.

Michael Marks, founder of Marks & Spencer emigrated from Russian Poland to England in the early 1880s and began trading in Yorkshire, England as a pedlar.

By 1884 the Russian refugee hired an open stall in Kirkgate market, Leeds and it was called `Marks' Penny Bazaar'.

During 1894 Marks formed a partnership with Tom Spencer, a cashier from the wholesale company I.J. Dewhirst.

Isaac Dewhirst was a wholesaler who as a young man lent Michael Marks five pounds to purchase stock from his Leed's warehouse.

The firm of I.J. Dewhirst became manufacturers and remains suppliers of Marks & Spencer to this day.

Simon Marks, the son of Michael and Hannah Marks, was born in a poor district of Leeds in 1888 and he became "...the greatest merchant prince England ever produced.'' He developed the chain of Penny Bazaars formed by this father and his father's partner, Tom Spencer, into the enormously successful retail business that we know today.

He pioneered a revolution in retailing quality control, and bought directly from the manufacturer.

Appointed chairman at the age of only 28, Simon Marks led and directed the fortunes of the company for nearly half a century.

Marks & Spencer won the Queen's Award for Technological Achievement for the second time in 1996 and the Queen's Award for export achievement in 1993 and 1995.

They sell innovative goods of high quality made to its specifications and sold under the exclusive St. Michael brand name.

The Group has the highest profit of any retailer in Europe.

Thomas Spencer, partner.

A painting of the original Marks' Penny Bazaar, 1884. His first stall was in the open section of the Kirkgate market, Leeds, England.

Simon Marks devoloped the chain of M & S penny bazaars.