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Original poster

Why is Fortnum and Mason so expensive?

52 replies

Quackpot · 06/01/2022 21:03

I don't understand how ten small items can cost so much money. How do they live up to such a price point? Are the tins made of gold?

OP posts:
DSGR · 06/01/2022 21:04

Because it’s a huge treat when I get it once a year Christmas, the food is delicious and the hampers exquisite. Just don’t shop there often!

WimpoleHat · 06/01/2022 21:06

Supply and demand! They get a lot of tourist trade and people will pay a premium for the name/the experience of shopping there.

WeatherwaxOn · 06/01/2022 21:07

Their delicious macarons are a good price, other than that, it's pretty expensive.

AlDanvers · 06/01/2022 21:11

Items are worth what people are willing to pay for them.

Its like second hand cars are currently going up in value, in a lot of cases.

I got mum the F&M beauty calandar. It's stunning and the products seem really good. She passed away in the 2nd December, so I thought she didn't get chance to open it. Dad had to admit that she had been through every drawer and tried most things, when I gave her it. Which is typical of her. That actually made me feel better. Grin

Apparently, she said the F&M products were nice. Non of use can bring ourselves to use the products. But dad wants to keep it as a Christmas decoration for next year and use it as an Advent calandar for himself.

So genuinely can't say of it was objectivity worth the money.

BarrowInFurnessRailwayStation · 06/01/2022 21:11

The tins are rubbish and quite cheap feeling.

Martinisarebetterdirty · 06/01/2022 21:22

@AlDanvers Flowers sorry for your loss. I had that advent calendar, it was worth every penny and I’m sure your mum would have loved trying it all.
Fortnums often have hard to find things you can struggle to get like Elvas plums. They really know their stuff around tea and coffee and it’s lovely. I personally don’t find that their tins feel cheap, the florentines are amazing and everything feels spoiling and a treat when you go there.

AlDanvers · 06/01/2022 21:25

@Martinisarebetterdirty thank you. I trued to follow the F&M Advent calandar thread. I hoped seeing other people enjoying would help. It didn't 🤣

Glad to know it was worth it and you loved yours. Thinking of getting Dad a food hamper next year.

FoggySpecs · 06/01/2022 21:25

Tourists. it's an institution but these days it is insane, I went for afternoon tea and tbf I make better scones and they cost under £2 not £65 or whatever it was, a huge rip off.

TolkiensFallow · 06/01/2022 21:35

I love their chutneys

Original poster
Quackpot · 06/01/2022 21:46

What about the 5k Christmas crackers? Imagine that....

OP posts:
Changingtheweather · 06/01/2022 21:47

Bizarrely milk is the same price as the local Tesco express

IncompleteSenten · 06/01/2022 21:49

The name.

MaryStuart · 06/01/2022 21:55

The hampers 💕💕

Goatsaregreat · 06/01/2022 21:56

I get sent a Fortnum's hamper every year - it's such a treat and is really appreciated. Lovely place for a bit of Christmas shopping for foodie gifts.
Afternoon tea's lovely as well. Only go there maybe once or twice a year but always enjoy wandering round.

DSGR · 06/01/2022 21:58

@AlDanvers sorry for your loss. I’m sure your
Mum would love you to use them! But I know what you mean.
It’s lovely she enjoyed something so nice from you

TheHoptimist · 06/01/2022 21:59

Their ham is amazing and cheaper than Waitrose. Lots of wine is similar pricing to supermarkets.
Much better value popping in than buying a more limited section online

Charbead49 · 06/01/2022 22:00

The best mustard by far!

PugInTheHouse · 06/01/2022 22:02

Apparently the tea is amazing (I only drink coffee), even my 15 yo asks for it for Christmas every year, him and DH love the proper tea and the English breakfast tea bags. Its a lovely treat for them.

Impatientwino · 06/01/2022 22:04

My friend got me some of their earl grey tea and a tin of earl grey biscuits for my birthday and both are delicious. The biscuit tin is really nice and I'm looking forward to repurposing it.

Tanfastic · 06/01/2022 22:04

I won a F&M hamper earlier this year and I'll be honest, I was totally underwhelmed. The chocolate tasted quite cheap. I don't get the hype.

RaskolnikovsGarret · 06/01/2022 22:06

I found their (expensive) chocolates quite revolting. Their reputation is just a brand thing I think.

Grandadwasthatyou · 06/01/2022 22:16

I was given their Toffolossus biscuits for Xmas. £18.95 a tin but absolutely delicious. Toffee and date covered with really thick chocolate.

Newyearoldyou · 06/01/2022 22:17

Their chocolate is at least palm oil free

merryhouse · 06/01/2022 22:19

Because they can. Market forces innit.

It's like bitcoin or NFTs - someone is prepared to pay the price, so that's what the price is.

TheHoptimist · 06/01/2022 22:21

@RaskolnikovsGarret

I found their (expensive) chocolates quite revolting. Their reputation is just a brand thing I think.
The chocolates are from Audreys and are amazing

I buy direct from them and they are my luxury in life.