How do you find the quality of M&S food nowadays?

[DK123]

I used to love M&S food and always really enjoyed it on the occasions I got something from there. I was pleased to see they'd be delivering through Ocado as there isn't an M&S with a car park near me, but I've been put off by the product reviews. On the Ocado site, a lot of the products, whether it be ready meals, vegetables, deserts, have poor reviews.
If anyone's been getting M&S food delivered through Ocado (or buying it in store), how have you found it to be and do you think the standard has gone off?

I always take the reviews with a large pinch of salt tbh. People are far more likely to leave a review for a negative radon than for a positive one - that's the same for pretty much anything.

Fwiw I haven't noticed a difference between the quality of their food both pretty and post their Ocado link, from either their shops directly or from Ocado. 🤷🏻‍♀️

The shop bought stuff is good

We were OK with Ocado when they were delivering Waitrose stuff. We didn’t have them often, because last year we struggled to get a delivery slot, as did many people, but from September onwards, when they started with M&S, we noticed a difference and gave up after a few weeks. Short date stuff, poor stocks, all the usual stuff.

I look at reviews and am more likely to take glowing ones with a punch of salt for many things, but we were really disappointed with the M&S stuff. I got in touch with Ocado about their poor stock and they replied that nothing was out of stock. Clearly it was, because things weren’t delivered!

Pinch of salt- although punch might be what I wanted to do when stuff was missing.

Some is ok but either I'm just used to higher quality food or it isn't what it used to be. As I usually ship in Aldi and Asda I'm inclined to think the latter, I don't notice a significant difference anymore.

*shop not ship

People just won't stop harping on about Ocado no longer stocking Waitrose products, all the reviews moaning about products "not being a patch on Waitrose" are really tiresome.

Maybe I should take the reviews with a pinch of salt? I really loved the things I bought in M&S. it's probably been about 3 years since I last had something from there, so I'd be really disappointed if the quality has gone off since then

I think the quality of M&S food has gone down while the prices have gone up and their sell-by dates are dreadful. Their best-ever range in particular - Tesco cottage pie heaps better and cheaper. Portion sizes are small unless you have a minute appetite and we had quite tough steak from them. Fruit and veg is good quality though.

I’ve never been impressed with M&S food. I don’t find it any better than the supermarkets.

I had an extremely good meal of fish pies, ready-to-microwave vegetables and then an apple and blackberry pie when we were on holiday and didn't want to cook. Very good quality. Not cheap, but cheaper than going out for a meal.

The things they’ve always done are still good but I’ve not been impressed with the Waitrose dupes that had to be rolled out as part of the Ocado tie in. Not up to usual M&S standard.

I’ve no issues with the Ocado delivered M&S stuff but I have noticed a lot of basics are out of stock. Also the pasta ready meals are getting smaller (use to be rectangular but not very much square!) and although sometimes remain at the same price, they increase that too after a while,

Their lovely ravioli with pine nuts is now a shadow of its former self

@Foxyloxy1plus1

We were OK with Ocado when they were delivering Waitrose stuff. We didn’t have them often, because last year we struggled to get a delivery slot, as did many people, but from September onwards, when they started with M&S, we noticed a difference and gave up after a few weeks. Short date stuff, poor stocks, all the usual stuff.

I look at reviews and am more likely to take glowing ones with a punch of salt for many things, but we were really disappointed with the M&S stuff. I got in touch with Ocado about their poor stock and they replied that nothing was out of stock. Clearly it was, because things weren’t delivered!

The few times I tried (mostly for their chocolate & biscuits which are very good) all the chocs/biscuits were out of stock. These are staples like their chocolatey biscuit rounds which are always in stock in the shops - cannot understand how they can't sort out the supply.

Ocado reviews are full of people still sore about the Waitrose break up. I've seen a few negative ones for things I buy from m&s in preference to waitrose because the quality is more consistent. I think the M&S fruit and veg has the edge, as does the bakery, waitrose meat and fish is better at the top end, broadly equivalent for the budget lines - and of course, if you shop at ocado, there is their own brand stuff plus more specialist and independent brands available.

@NoProblem123

I’ve no issues with the Ocado delivered M&S stuff but I have noticed a lot of basics are out of stock. Also the pasta ready meals are getting smaller (use to be rectangular but not very much square!) and although sometimes remain at the same price, they increase that too after a while,

Their lovely ravioli with pine nuts is now a shadow of its former self

The weight of the pasta meals hasn't changed.

We occasionally treat ourselves to a steak, and we’ve always been impressed with the Waitrose ones from the butcher counter .

Haven't been inspired by m&s food for a long time, their fruit and veg are better quality, some meats/poultry /fish but you do pay for it. bakery and ready meals are meh.

I genuinely find their food tastes a lot better than most others, I don't shop their often but am partial to going later in the day for some yellow label goodness! I find their fruit and fresh produce is always fresh, their meat especially chicken tastes better, and their cakes and crisps nom. That said I find other supermarkets fine, it's not always worth the extra money for me even though its nicer if that makes sense. I hate percy pigs though.

I was looking forward to M&S joining Ocado but have been disappointed with Ocado's service (things always out of stock, reduced product range, essential/basic items discontinued and replaced with luxury brands, damaged items, fruit and veg going off quickly).

I have noticed a difference in quality in items that I have bought weekly for years from M&S. I don't really buy ready meals but the meat, fruit and veg have increased in cost aren't as good quality as they were a year ago. I still think M&S and Waitrose are better quality than the other supermarkets for many of the items I buy regularly. I have also noticed a drop in quality from all the supermarkets though.

@DK123

Maybe I should take the reviews with a pinch of salt? I really loved the things I bought in M&S. it's probably been about 3 years since I last had something from there, so I'd be really disappointed if the quality has gone off since then

I'd definitely take the reviews with a shovel of salt.

I've shopped with Ocado from the beginning, and I still do. I agree with the previous poster that some reviews of M&S products are written by shoppers irked by the Waitrose divorce. I have seen some ridiculously negative reviews which don't represent the product I have bought at all.

The issue I have is that the range of M&S products on Ocado is fairly restricted, but the products themselves are fine.

Disappointing. No longer the treat it used to be.

M and s have ruined Ocado I’ve stopped using it. I used to love going into M and S but it has gone downhill and I can’t even put my finger on why. Since I’ve been using Aldi next door to it I’m having less reason appart from the fruit and veg to shop there.

My main gripe with the M&S stuff we get through Ocado is the short shelf life. We have to freeze most things. It’s the same in store, but then you can hunt around for the slightly later dates.

@PickAChew more pasta less everything else has made them bland - which is a feat in itself given the amount of salt in everything.

And the ravioli has definitely changed because it use to be for 2 (me!) and now it’s not