Oover the last decade there has been a steady increase in the number of foreign-owned stores which are opening branches in Majorca. In fact the main hypermarkets on the island are owned by French companies. German supermarkets are opening branches around the island and German and French stores have an important share of the local DIY, sporting and domestic appliances market. For years people have been asking why doesn´t Marks & Spencer open a branch in Majorca? The other day a Spanish friend remarked that Majorca needed a Tesco. It is quite amazing that despite the fact that Majorca is Britain´s favourite holiday spot and has a large expat community, British retailers have never ventured into the island on a large scale. As we know, Marks & Spencer did have branches on the mainland which they closed about a decade ago but never in Majorca despite plenty of rumours. Why? British food products are always in demand but none of the big supermarkets have ever shown any interest in opening a branch here. They say that the relatively small local population doesn´t warrant a major British supermarket. Perhaps they are right. But British retailers always appear to have their eyes on the other side of the Atlantic and not Europe. I would say that there is a big demand for British stores on the island. If the French and Germans believe there is a market, why don´t the British? Answers on a postcard please.