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?

There's some bits that are definitely better quality and taste better, their grapes for example imo are the best. I can't even eat sainsburys ones anymore and their pizzas/ready meals

I bought some incredible piccalilli in there once. It's good for bits.

I've just bought lots of salads and picnic things for tomorrow. Their Plant Kitchen range is good, and I'm slightly addicted to their Worcester sauce crisps. Their meal deals are usually good value. Too expensive for a big shop though.

It really isn’t. The fruit and veg at M&S is far nicer than at other supermarkets. I’m not generally fussy, I tend to shop wherever I am passing for basics, but I only ever buy fruit and veg from M&S because it’s fresher and tastier.

Oh how I so agree. I used to love M&S for their food and would put it highly above Waitrose.

Since covid, their fruit and veg isn’t better than anywhere else. I like their bratwurst sausages which I can’t seem to find anywhere else and their ready meals are so-so.

Swapped to Waitrose/Sainsbury’s and it’s just as good but cheaper

The ready meals, especially the butter chicken are lovely! And all the picnic food. Wouldn't just buy my regular groceries from there though.

I like that they do cards without plastic packaging.

Convenience eg on Sunday night when everything else is closed or if I'm out in our nearest shopping town and fancy a change.I agree that their fruit and veg are good and that they have a wide range of ready meals . I know a few single people elderly people who shop there regularly, They can be dropped off and picked up easily and the shop is quite compact and yet has a wide range of fresh food or foods and portions that are appealing.

Agree their Curry meals are really good, much better than any take away we have locally. Lots of really nice, different things & they are innovative with new recipes etc. I just don't agree that their ready meals are the 'same' as other Supermarket ready meals ... I can 'taste the difference' . Their sandwiches are much nicer than any other 'ready made' sandwiches.

Ready meals, gluten free range and sandwiches are absolutely delicious 😋

I live in the USA. My life here is good but reading (even just thinking) about all the good things I used to get at M&S is making me feel emotional. Aldi would be fine at this point too.

It’s at least $5 for a standard white loaf here which has a best before date of November (even I know loaves of bread shouldn’t be shelf stable for 6 months) , barely any fresh fruit under $6. Everything full of salt and processed “cheese” flavours - all the supposedly savoury things taste sweet. Aargh!

I shop there because it's the nearest supermarket and within walking distance, which the others aren't.

If I go first thing I can park outside (ie 10 yards away)and it's a small M&S so I can be in and out in no time. It is expensive but I buy ready meals and nice granola and biscuits - so much better than our Tesco superstore which is a half mile hike to get round ( whilst avoiding all the online basket fillers and having to check yourself out)

Ready meals and deli foods are streets ahead of anywhere else. I find these much nicer than takeways if I want a break from cooking. I also like the quality of their meats.

For fruit/veg/staples, I go elsewhere as less expensive.

Are you that bored that you’d query it?

The fruit is a million times better than anywhere else. Overall pretty much everything is better than anywhere other than maybe Waitrose. I do my main shopping in Aldi and top up with fruit, desserts, prepared salads and wine from there

I have discovered their tinned tuna, think a pack of four is £5.50, best tinned tuna, solidly packed. I can make a tin last two meals for myself whereas if I buy from Aldi it is swimming in oil and I end up using the tin.

I love the variety , prepared salads , ready meals , bakery , my local one does lovely off the bone chicken kebabs and mini cous cous salads to go . I don't buy cleaning products or household items from them though but food oh yes .

I have no idea where in the US you live but I've NEVER seen bread with a six-month shelf life.

I bought excellent strawberries and mangoes yesterday. The strawberries were $1.99 for a pound and 2-for-$1 mangoes. A whole watermelon is $6.95 but it weighs several pounds and will easily feed my family of four, twice. Here's a photo of the remnants of the loaf of bread I buy. It's expiry isn't six-months.

I loved Trader Joe’s in the US but I expect it’s only in certain places.

I don't shop there any more because they closed the only branch within reach.

However, in these days of belt-tightening, I'm happy to use Sainsbo, Aldi, & the occasional trip to Waitrose.

Ours has a sushi bar now, which we really like.

It used to be amazing but is mediocre now

I like M&S for treat type picnic foods and better quality ready made stuff. Their bagged salad is also really nice. So a lasagna, garlic bread, salad, dressing, and pudding is minimal effort, but cheaper and tastier than a takeaway for example. I also like their bakery and ds loves the fresh macarons.

Not everything in M&S is more expensive M&S ketchup is the kid’s favourite and it’s only 80p! Kids pouch yoghurts £1.30 for four unlike collaborative suckies at 80p each! The ready salted crisps are 85p for a six pack and taste better than walkers.