To wonder what the obsession with M&S Food is?

[Jajana]

Decided to pick up a few bits and bobs from M&S as I needed some underwear and the food was very average. The fruits like grapes don’t taste any better than Tesco (albeit it was 25p more expensive at M&S) and was surprised to see that it’s more expensive than Waitrose! It seems like a nice place for takeaways/ready meals though

Can anyone clarify to me why they shop at M&S food over Tesco/Waitrose/Sainsbury’s?

I've always said if I ever win the lottery, the first thing I'm doing is my full weekly shop at M&S! I bloody love their food but can only afford a few bits from there now and again.

Their baked beans are the nicest of all the ones I have tried (Heinz, Branston, Sainsbury's, Tesco) and are cheaper than Heinz and Sainsbury's.

Their peanut butter is much nicer than Sunpat. Their fruit and veg is very good quality and usually no dearer (sometimes cheaper) than other supermarkets

Im sure they do like a burger sauce coleslaw which is far nicer than it sounds.

and they do marmite colabs too which are pretty good.

Yes! They constantly have a new array of food on offer - so things doing have a chance to get boring or samey. Can’t say the same about Tesco or Sainsburys. They also bring our seasonal foods, which I look forward to. I also really like their chocolates. I like to go on Friday afternoon for weekend dinners and treats

Bakery, juice, salad boxes and ready meals. We get other bits elsewhere usually. Bit of a weird question really, don't you know what you personally like to eat?

Just remembered a couple more things I like:
cauliflower cheese (buy this to have with a lazy Sunday dinner)
bread and butter pudding
fat green olives
cheese and onion rolls

As others, I'd never do a full shop there but I go in maybe once a month for treats. Their ready meals are the best quality of all the supermarkets imo. Their deli bits are really good as well. I also get the percy pigs, walnut whips and of course Colin cakes for birthdays.

I don't get it either op. It's convenient for me sometimes so I do occasionally shop there but it's £££ and I don't like their food any better than the better ranges elsewhere, not even the fancy bits.

Mum goes there, think it's generational as in over 70's. I do like their pies from the deli but the farm shop is better for instance at that price point. Lidl is 5 mins walk from my house, I'm happy shopping there with occasional top ups from Waitrose (7 mins walk, same car park)

Their fruit lasts longer than anywhere else, and they do nice unusual bits that you can't get elsewhere. I wouldn't do a weekly shop there but I use it for a mid-week supplement of fresh stuff and snacks.

The ready meals are crap, as are Waitrose. M & S is good for picnics and train drinks.

Oh and the roast chicken salad sandwiches are really good. They also do a smoked salmon and potato salad which I love. So if I need to get a quick lunch out and about and there is an M&S nearby then I'll choose there over other places.

I was in the UK on a holiday recently and bought the gold tea box and the blue one. Now I’m properly addicted.. 😭😂 Best tea I’ve had!

Their deli food/picky bits are amazing - really nice variety. Bit expensive but imo better than buying equivalent from pretty much anywhere except maybe Waitrose.

I also really like their treats. Percy Pigs (veggie version are best - they have a much nicer flavour and texture), mountain bars, the caterpillar who shall not be renamed, apricot sponge roll, Belgian curls, dutch shortbread dipped in chocolate, blackcurrant sundaes, chococcino muffins to name a few.

I don’t get it. Their food is overpriced and there’s not really anything that grabs me. I don’t think their gluten free range is extensive, but I like the lemon drizzle muffins. They’re very pricey though I’m not a fan of Percy pigs or any of that stuff. It’s a pop in kind of place, now and again.

Most of the things I regularly buy in M&S don't exist in any other supermarkets.

So what would your answer to that be?

Good gluten free options. Stopped shopping in Lidl when they got rid of their free-from aisle.

I’m no label snob but their pitta bread is noticeable nicer than anywhere else.
And their greetings cards are cheap ( we only have fancy card shops).

Their food is much nicer and much better quality than most other places. I love to shop there when I can afford to, because we enjoy our meals from there so much more. No other supermarket comes close, in my opinion.

I rarely shop at M&S but their ready meals are way better than other supermarkets.

ditto tinned food for camping. M&S tinned chilli is really good. Tesco is cheap tasteless slop in comparison (and £1 cheaper, so fair enough).

Lots of their frozen food is good, too.

I see lots of well salaried younger people shopping in there, picking up supper.

I buy my fruit from M&S. I second the blueberries and raspberries are really good.

I don’t make a habit of eating ready meals but their Indian, Chinese and Italian meals are head and shoulders above any supermarket own brand. I also tend to find stuff like burgers and fish is better quality.

We buy it as "treat" food but get all the basics elsewhere. They do 3 pasta ready meals for £10 which I think is an absolute bargain and great for when you are cooking for one. Also their deli bits and bobs 3 for £7 I'm fond of (vine leaves, mozarella and sundried tomatoes, little feta and herb pastries - that kind of stuff)

Saying that, I bought some coronation chicken to put in sandwiches the other day and it was just AWFUL.

Used to be fabulous really next level freshness fruits and vegetables that you couldn’t get anywhere else out of season now it’s just pretty average to be honest even there takeaway type stuff ready meals I can very much take or leave.

last time I went in there for a few bits and i ended up spending 90 quid so I won’t even walk through the door now.

Their fruit is the best far better than other supermarkets. Love their teabags, their quiches are the best bar none. Bakery section is very good and their ready meals. I pick up bits & pieces it’’s too ££ to do a big shop there ...