Briefs

H&M's first Polish outlet to open end of next March Hennes & Mauritz, the Swedish clothing retailer, is to open its first shop in the Wola Park retail centre in Warsaw at the end of March 2003, after signing a contract with CERPF, (the centre's owners), on November 15th. The 1,564 sqm store will inaugurate H&M's long-term venture in Poland, which will involve more new outlets, probably in Warsaw at a later stage next year, though the company eventually hopes to open a number of shops throughout the country. Jones Lang LaSalle represented CERPF and Cushman and Wakefield H&B Hennes and Mauritz, in negotiations for the Wola Park deal.   Auchan and Casino get closer French retail companies Casino (Geant hypermarkets' operator in Poland) and Auchan have merged their purchasing departments. The new company, International Retail and Trade Services, will liase with global goods' deliverers and companies that