Marks & Spencer Sliema

For many British travellers, finding a Marks & Spencer on holiday is a small comfort: the same sizing, the same familiar labels and, for those in self catering flats, a reliable place to pick up good bread, snacks and a bottle of wine. Malta has M&S stores of its own, and the Sliema branch sits in the busiest shopping town on the island. It is listed in our clothing shops in Malta directory.

In Malta the brand is operated under franchise by Retail International Group, a Maltese fashion retailer founded in 2006 that also runs ALDO, LC Waikiki and Punt Roma here. That matters in a few practical ways for visitors, which are explained below, particularly when it comes to returns.

What you can buy

The range will be recognisable to anyone who shops at M&S in the UK. There is womenswear, from tailored trousers and wide leg styles to coats, jackets and skirts, along with menswear including smart and casual trousers in slim, regular and tapered fits. Children's clothing, school wear in season, lingerie and hosiery, home goods and beauty products complete the main departments.

As an idea of pricing, at the time of checking the online shop listed Slim Fit Smart Stretch Trousers at €39.95, a five pack of microfibre briefs at €19.95 and a Longline Tailored Coat with Wool at €115.00. Prices are in euros and change with the seasons and promotions, which can include Buy One Get One Free, 3 for 2 deals and discount bundles.

If you are looking for footwear or other brands to compare, see the shoe shops in Malta section of our directory.

M&S Food in Malta

The food side covers bakery goods, drinks, pantry staples, snacks and sweets, plus beer, wine and spirits and a selection of de-alcoholised wines. At Halloween and Christmas there are seasonal ranges, which can be useful if you are spending the festive period on the island and want a few familiar treats. Gift vouchers are also available.

For a full weekly shop you will want a larger supermarket as well, and our supermarkets in Malta listings cover the main chains. Anyone interested in local bottles rather than imported ones can browse the wine merchants in Malta, many of which stock Maltese and Gozitan wines.

Returns, exchanges and UK purchases

This is the point most worth knowing before you shop. Because the Malta stores are run by a separate franchise company, items bought in the UK or any other country cannot be exchanged or refunded in Malta. Bring anything bought at home back to a UK branch instead.

For goods bought in Malta, full price items can be returned within 35 days and sale items within 14 days, in saleable condition with the original packaging and a valid receipt. Sale returns are given as a credit note. Refunds are made in euros to the same payment method. For hygiene reasons there are no returns on food, drinks, toiletries, underwear, swimwear, earrings, cosmetics or shoe care products. If you bought something as part of a promotion, every item in that deal has to come back together to qualify for a refund.

Ordering online during a longer stay

Visitors on a longer stay, including those relocating or working remotely from Malta, can order through the online shop. Deliveries arrive within three business days in Malta and four in Gozo, Monday to Friday, to whichever residential or office address you give. Orders under €50 carry a €5 delivery charge, and orders over €50 are delivered free. Payment is by card or PayPal.

Online orders can be returned free of charge in the relevant store with your order number and the card you paid with, while returns sent back by courier cost €15. Online purchases cannot be exchanged by post, but you can swap them in store. Our Malta relocation guide has more on settling in for the longer term.

Shopping in Sliema

Sliema is Malta's main shopping town, with high street names, independent boutiques and cafes packed into the streets behind the seafront promenade. It is an easy place to combine a shopping trip with a walk along the front towards St Julian's or a ferry across the harbour to the capital, where our Valletta guide picks up the story.

If you would like to stay within walking distance of the shops, the hotels in Sliema page has the options, and for wider ideas see things to do in Malta. Summers are hot, so the shops make a welcome break in the middle of the day. To ask the store a question, use the VisitMalta.co.uk enquiry form on this page and we will pass it on.