Cost of M & S Christmas food

Maggymay

I have just made a steak pie with slow cooked skirt beef cost about £5-£6 how can they justify these prices?

Because Tom Kerridge is their big celebrity chef. I have ditched all red meat this year and feel much better for it.

Food prices have risen everywhere and continue to rise in a weekly basis . I buy the occasional food from M&S but will definitely stick to sanisburys and Tesco this year

I can understand Waygu beef being that expensive, but I would make my own pie. Can anyone enlighten this French resident on how much a button goose is now in the UK?

Mt61

No wonder they are closing down in certain towns, its way too expensive now.
TBH, I think their chicken is the worst I have ever tasted, it’s rubbery.

I am in the S E, and we have three M & S Food Halls within 3-4 miles, they are always busy.

The M & S department store in our nearest shopping mall relocated to the space vacated by Debenhams, it has doubled in size.

Mt61

No wonder they are closing down in certain towns, its way too expensive now.
TBH, I think their chicken is the worst I have ever tasted, it’s rubbery.

Are they?
I didnt know that.

I love Marks, but buy my Christmas food in Sainburys with my nectar card points that I save for Christmas only.
I will purchase some treats in Marks, but I find I get some with money off on the Sparks app.
I think it's a case of you pays your money, you take your choice.
The cherry liquors in Aldi are lovely though. I call in there for them. Yes they are cheaper but just as good as the Marks one.
I love this season but never do I spend so much that I am worried.

escaped

I assume that M & S selected farms cannot be used by other supermarkets purely because M & S has its own, specific to them, standards for food safety and quality. So the provenance is different, not the same.

I had a feeling that was the case for M&S, but wan't certain. I do know that, say, Tesco, Sainsbury's and McCain may all have chips made in the same factory, but they each have their own lines, recipes and so on - it is not just a case of packing some in blue bags and others in orange ones.

I assume that M & S selected farms cannot be used by other supermarkets purely because M & S has its own, specific to them, standards for food safety and quality. So the provenance is different, not the same.

No wonder they are closing down in certain towns, its way too expensive now.
TBH, I think their chicken is the worst I have ever tasted, it’s rubbery.

Well I absolutely love all things Christmas, I love food (cooking and eating out) I will continue to use M & S.

(Have been in a large one today, they have some delightful clothes, fabulous boots and yes I purchased food)

Missiseff

Harris27

Couldn’t believe the prices. I too just buy a few treats from there but can’t believe the prices this year! I’m so glad Aldi do a similiar brochure I’ll just have to pretend I got them mixed up!😂😂

Aldi uses the same supplier, you get the same food for a fraction of the price.

You really don't.

Suppliers are not processors. Food from Aldi and M&S may be processed in the same factory (or they may not - I don't know), but as I said upthread, they will be on different production lines and made to different recipes.

Aldi food can be very good - I'm not saying otherwise - in fact some lines may be better than M&S, but it is not the same.

Time to shop around ladies and I love M&S,

Don't buy it.

Last year I was expecting quite a few carnivores for Christmas lunch so booked an organic free range turkey from a local farm. As it got nearer the time (and I discovered the price) I cancelled it and bought a chicken from Lidl. It was quite enough as I'm vegetarian and the children don't eat a lot.
I think sometimes we think we must buy top of range for fear of appearing mean.

Having bought snacks to eat during the panto last year in Marks, I knew about the cost.

We placed our order for M&S Christmas food as soon as on- line booking opened. Last year the delivery slots were booked very early. Several items of food were sold out early too. Last year the collection queue was tiny. So I submitted our order asap. Tbh I also found the prices very high so have not ordered as much as last year.

You know that it will all (almost certainly) be v good quality, though, so those who can afford it will still buy it.

It was several years ago now, but I still remember queueing up at the checkout on Dec 23rd to pay for my turkey (not ordered, just off the shelf) and some fresh orange juice for the Buck’s Fizz, and seeing what the woman in front had in her trolley. Absolutely everything ready made, ready to just shove in the oven. Turkey in a foil oven tray, stuffed and covered with streaky bacon, all the veg pre prepped, all the sides ready to go, gravy, posh custard, you name it.

Her bill (yes, I did have a good old nose!) was eye-watering!
There will always be those who are willing to pay top whack for quality plus convenience.

What is the fuss about? No one is being forced to buy this food.

Personally, I have found M&S food well worth the extra.

Harris27

Couldn’t believe the prices. I too just buy a few treats from there but can’t believe the prices this year! I’m so glad Aldi do a similiar brochure I’ll just have to pretend I got them mixed up!😂😂

Aldi uses the same supplier, you get the same food for a fraction of the price.

Maggymay

I have just made a steak pie with slow cooked skirt beef cost about £5-£6 how can they justify these prices?

Because Wagyu beef is not skirt steak…

We’ve had this same conversation in our family. I assume M&S must now be aiming at a market of impoverished aristocrats who can no longer afford the staff. 🤔

Their basics can be a reasonable price but once anything is added to gussy it up, the price goes through the roof. It also annoys me that their pre-order system doesn’t mean you can go in and collect your order and leave. You have to queue while staff pick out the items you ordered maybe two months ago and it’s all chaotically (dis)organised. A local farm shop is doing a free range turkey breast with accompaniments for £48 and as we’ll be just four of this year, that will be perfect.

I have just made a steak pie with slow cooked skirt beef cost about £5-£6 how can they justify these prices?

I think if you look at the prices in The Hand and Flowers (Tom Kerridge) you will see why his M & S Christmas Food Collection is priced as it is.

Sarnia

glammagran

£195 for M&S beef wellington to feed six people anyone?

Is that the Australian recipe with extra mushrooms?

It’s called the Collection fillet of British beef wellington by Tom Kerridge

Apparently it's git Tom Kerridge's name against them. Still wouldn't pay anywhere near the prices!!!

You’ve just beaten me to it GrannyGravy !

As they say on the BEEB, “other supermarkets are available!”
And it is NOT necessary to push the boat out to over the horizon to make Christmas special and enjoyable for everybody.