What do you buy in M&S food that makes you shop there?

Edwardia

OH and I have been eating mostly organic since March 2012 and I can buy organic food at lower prices than M&S prices for non-organic food.

IMO, people buy M&S food because they want quality with as little preparation as possible. However, I really don't think that M&S ready meals are superior to Waitrose ones, for example.

The Dine In For £10 promotion is hugely successful in my mother's local M&S. There's a YS-style scrum around the chiller every time I go there.

Earlier this month, my mother and I trekked (two hours for me, one hour for her) to the new Marks and Spencer at Bexhill, E Sussex. Friendly staff and bigger range of products (M&S is really good at marketing and packaging so it all looks wonderful). But it seems to be where aspirational people (wives/girlfriends of self-employed people, young professionals) meet retired well-off but can't (be bothered to) cook types.

Pretentiousness thy name is Marks and Spencer Food Hall.

As for the rest..

I think M&S does menswear really really well. The quality of the cotton shirts is often better than lower end Jermyn Street stuff. NO black cotton socks though :eek:

Womenswear = disaster. I'm told by M&S staff in my mother's local branch that they no longer sell womens' wool trousers, skirts and coats. :eek: Certainly it all seems awash with polyester and horribly frumpy despite the ads.

KxMx

I've heard many people say Waitrose ready meals rival or even beat M&S, but I only have access to a teeny tiny Waitrose so can't comment as I haven't tried them.

I do know I rather like M&S ones though. Also with my GI issues I tend to stick to food I know is safe much more frequently than I am confident to try something new.

teddysmum

I buy only the swiss rolls (3 for £2.50-they've gone up from £2) , things on very good offer or reduced items that I actually will use.

want_to_save

their tinned stewed steak is divine

paulwellerfan

i like their coleslaw and cumberland pies.

Frogletina

Alcohol, pork and percy pigs

'only joking!'

flubberyzing

As a treat I'll occasionally buy the chicken liver pate. I really, love pate and have tried many variants from many shops, but that one is really good!

Mee

Cheese Knots. San Francisco sourdough, French Pear Tarts to name a few of the bakery items I buy when reduced.

CC-Warrior

Good quality produce, some of which is the same price in other cheaper supermarkets. Efficient click and collect service. Customer service is always a step above the rest, and you're not fighting through crowds of people. I'd happily pay more for the privilege of a stress free shopping experience.

exetergirl

After reading this http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/retailandconsumer/10532782/Muslim-staff-at-Marks-and-Spencer-can-refuse-to-sell-alcohol-and-pork.html nothing at all anymore. If I was in a queue & was then told by the cashier I would have to wait for another till, I would be furious.