It's not just food, it's M&S profits

Garnet_Gem

It is the same with any company but M & S is the one the OP mentioned.

Dubbed_up

I work for a company that produces alot of products for M&S, and I can tell you that yes, they do use suppliers that supply other manufacturers and companies with similar, if not the same products, Scotbeef in Scotland supplies M&S directly to the shops as well as the manufacturers who turn the meat into pies, burgers,cottage pies etc....., as well as numerous other producers.

M&S DO NOT OWN any manufacturing plants EVERYTHING is bought in by suppliers and branded as M&S, this is how it has ALWAYS been, some factories may be exclusive to M&S and only produce for them where as others can supply Sainsbury, Asda etc..., a lot of it is politics with M&S, THEY decide who to do business with, and they'll tell you if they're not happy!!.

They now charge their suppliers for doing business with them!!! I.E a company has to pay M&S a set percentage every year just for SUPPLYING them with their produce, How do you think M&S has turned its trading figures around and made nearly a BILLION pound in profit :rotfl:


"Theres gold in them hills!! "

dianadors

I often used to pop into Marks for something for four of us for tea (and come out £40+ worse off) but because we had been working hard all week and didnt go out much because we had kids, and we deserved a treat blah di blah (and this theory was applied to lots of other things such as takeaways, supermarket ready meals, meals out etc etc). BUT THEN I discovered this site and weve gone from being £400 overdrawn every month to around £500 spare every month!!! So now we can really treat ourselves for working hard all month!!! And how do we treat ourselves? Pick a menu of the month from one of the freebie magazines I got from the freebie board and cook it from scratch!! (But spend a couple of pounds extra on a decent bottle of red to accompany it!!) Talking of Cherry's in M&S - I once took a pack to the counter and the lady weighed them and asked me if I still wanted them as they wer £8 !!!!!!!!

angelavdavis

Best thing I get from M&S are the share dividends

Long may there be people who have more money than culinary skills!

I went to Waitrose in Horsham at the weekend - we were on the run all weekend and although the food was very nice and I liked their South East produce section, our bill was double the Lidl usual! :eek: I nearly had a fit!!!

Sorry, but service aside, I would rather leave M&S and Waitrose food alone and "catch" my food at Lidl's (after the checkout girl has high speed swiped it and it comes flying to me obviously!;) )

Bargain_Rzl

I use M&S food hall for two main purposes.

1. Odds and ends - i.e. a bottle of milk or loaf of bread if I have run out. They are the only retailer on my walk home from work who always stock decent bread and organic milk.

2. Ready meals, on days when I would otherwise have gone to the Chinese. Often if I have been out for the evening - especially if it's a Friday night and I'm tired - I'll set off home thinking I could murder a takeaway. If I'm passing an M&S (the food-only shops at the railway stations are open late) I will pop in for a fresh microwaveable ready meal which usually works out about the same price as a main+rice at my local Chinese, tastes at least as good, is usually less calorific, and doesn't tend to sit so heavily on my stomach just before bed.

I do find the meat, fruit and veg are lovely quality compared with most other places (though Lidl sliced meats are even better and much cheaper!)

catkins

Maybe twice a year I will buy a sandwich in M&S but otherwise I do not shop there. I sometimes go in and look at the food but when I see the prices I walk out again. There is no way I would pay the amount they want. Their ready meals are not bad but again expensive and my food tastes better anyway and is far cheaper

moanymoany

On the, admittedly rare, occasions that I have bought food from M&S I have been disappointed. Salty bacon and sausages especially. I got a good bottle of wine once. I can't understand the snob value thing that goes on there - (mincy voice) Oh - if I ever buy ready meals I go to M&S of course - In laws talking here!:rolleyes:

scotgirl

This has been a very interesting thread to read.

I would agree with someone else who said their low fat range is better than anywhere for taste and quality. Really nice puds, cereal bars etc.

I do shop in M&S for food occasionally but always as a 'treat' - Friday night meal in or a really nice pudding.

However, this thread has made me realise that it is hardly a treat if it is the same food just packaged differently with a higher price!

To answer the OP's question - one thing I love is their Buffalo Mozzerella, it is so much nicer than the cows milk one, however it is £1.79 for one ball :eek: . I have since discovered costco do buffalo mozzerella 5 balls for £3.49 which is much better value. However, if there was not a costco close I would pay that for the mozzerella as it is such a lovely treat.

theluckiswithme

Gingernutmeg wrote: »

I like their mince, the 2 for £4.50 pack. I don't live near a good independent butchers, and (probably wrongly lol) I only 'trust' M&S and Waitrose meat. I've *never* bought nice meat from Tesco or Sainsbury's, the last lot of Sainsbury's organic mince ended up in the bin it was that gristly, and my partner (a steak fiend) said their steak was revolting and wouldn't eat it. I'd rather pay a bit more for meat that I know will get eaten. Plus I get three meals from half a pack of mince so it doesn't work out as very expensive at all

I got one of those 2 packs of mince for £1.12 on Saturday (quarter price at the staff waste sale after work!). Admittedly with a short shelf life but as it went straight into my freezer and will stay there until I use it that's very good value for a kg of lovely mince. There are some good perks to working at M&S!

bobbadog

I work in Central London, and pop to M&S occasionally as it's opposite my work, on my way home and if I fancy a roll to have with my HM (or tinned!) soup, I can get a freshly baked crunchy brown one for 28p. I have no problem with their basic stuff, milk, bread, their 99p cheeses that have let me try some that I wouldn't normally go for. Oakham chicken breasts when they're on BOGOF are extra special - really plump and no more expensive than the Sainsburys "buy 2 and save £5" packs - there's NO butchers anywhere near our house, and whilst we go to the organic market for veg we can't really afford meat there. Their 1/2 Duck packs with wraps and salad are special, and their strawberry icecream tastes very very natural. Certainly couldn't afford a weekly shop there, and i'd begrudge doing so - it's the pre-packaged stuff that they do well, but for a good naughty desert (their low fat Lemonlicious pots are, well, lemonlicious) it's enough to make a meal special, and stops me and my OH eating out!

I do wish they sold eggs though, no idea why they don't.