M&S food, my opinion... (Marks and Spencers Foodhall)

Member Name: Drewster_Rooster

Product:	Marks and Spencers Foodhall
Date:	04/11/09 (98 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: taste, choice, variety

Disadvantages: very pricey

As the category indicates this review will focus on my opinion of the food and products available in Marks and Spencer Foodhalls.

I have already added a couple of reviews on the site regarding my opinions on the supermarkets I frequently shop at. Budget constraints determine where I shop at in general, however if my budget would stretch that far Marks and Spencer would be the ONLY place I did my food shopping in...

Im sure youve seen the television adverts which demonstrate M&S food, the chocolate gooey puddings, the meal deals that they have on offer etc. I shop at Marks and Spencer when I want to get quality products that always taste great; ready meals taste nicer from M&S, frozen foods taste like they are fresh when theyre from M&S and everything from the older, friendly staff to the ample stocked shelves seem better from M&S and I cant fathom out why.

Ive bought many a thing from a M&S foodhall and can honestly say that everything I have ever bought from there have all tasted nicer than well known premium brands. You may be aware that M&S produce and sell their own food, you wont find other brands in a M&S (well, you didnt - see end of review for explanation) they have a reputation for charging more than your regular supermarkets and for the most part Id agree with that, but recently even M&S have been offering deals and BOGOFs and I cant help but wonder if they are feeling the pinch the same as everyone else.

Recent promotions at M&S have included 3 ready meals for a fiver, half price whole chickens and the ongoing meal deal where you chose a main course, side, desert and bottle of wine for £10.00 all in. All these offers have found themselves into my fridge and freezer and the more they offer then more Im going to take.

I can never see myself being in the position where I do my weekly shop there, things *are* expensive when not on offer and its hard to justify the difference in price for something when the alternative is perfectly fine and acceptable. To try and explain what I mean about their food I would describe things as being "clean" nothing tastes artificial or sweetened. I dont know if its the lack of preservatives or additives but food honestly does taste different from M&S.

As you would expect to find from any supermarket their range includes fresh fruit, ready meals, tinned goods, bakery, fresh meat and veg etc. They do a very nice range of "Gastropub" meals where they offer things like pie and chips, but as this is M&S it will be special. The chicken and prawn risotto is to die for but even that when not on offer is £5.99 which when you are on a budget is a lot, especially just for 1 meal...

If you have tasted food from M&S then hopefully you will know what I mean, if you havent and you have one near you I would definitely recommend you check them out. As Ive said there are offers almost all the time in there at the moment so it could be a good opportunity to take advantage whilst they are on. Offers do seem to change quickly and when something is on very cheaply (the half price chickens for example) people will bulk buy them in as they recognise how good the offer actually is.

I mentioned that M&S only stock M&S food, well now it doesnt. I was in the Meadowhall (Sheffield) branch today and saw "Walkers" crisps and Coca Cola. On the till there was a sign saying that 19 stores had been selected from the North to carry non M&S branded food as a trial to see if their consumers would choose to buy them over the M&S equivalent. I havent heard anything about this until today and was very suprised to see other brands in a Marks and Spencer foodhall. I wonder if they are being forced to diversify like other supermarkets?? Maybe M&S are seeing a change, this is one to watch out for I think...

Anyway, to conclude, I love shopping in Marks and Spencer when Im feeling a bit flush, I cant afford to do it all the time but when I do buy something I always enjoy it. M&S food really is special but it is a premium brand that you pay a premium for...

4/5 stars from me, as much as I love their food it is priced higher than alternative brands so will not be suitable for everyone.

Summary: thanks for reading