International News

Marks & Spencer announces plans to open its first store in the Dandy Mega Mall in Cairo later this year - the first time the retailer will enter into the Egyptian market, in conjunction with its franchise partner Al Futtaim.

The American coffee chain Starbucks has "indefinitely" postponed the opening of a franchise in Croatia  after having planned its arrival in the Croatian market this October.

In 2010 again, people looking to build a new business or wanting to expand their start-up companies, will find an ideal information platform at START-exhibition.

Since 1998 the START expositions have been a vital contact point for founders and start-up entrepreneurs looking for information about the topics of formation, financing, company development, further training, coaching or succession.

InterContinental Hotels, the world's biggest hotelier, plans to more than double in size in China in the next five years, a move which will give a major boost to its performance.

The British group, which operates Holiday Inn and Crowne Plaza brands as well as InterContinental, currently runs 131 hotels in China with a further 146 in its pipeline, and will open 30 this year in the world's most populous nation.

BuyBrand 2010, the only franchise exhibition to take place in Russia, is set to be held on the 21-23 September 2010 at the Expocenter on Krasnaya Presnra. The three day event is aimed at potential franchise owners, potential Master Franchise Owners, potential franchisors and suppliers. As well as showcasing franchise opportunities, BuyBrand 2010 will host seminars, presentations and round tables on the most relevant issues in choosing and formalising a franchise, and legal aspects of investing in a franchise.