First Time Grocery Shopping at M&S - Is this the best British supermarket?!

Today we are checking out M&S for the first time and doing some food shopping at an M&S Food Hall (and also trying M&S food for the first time!). The concept of a food hall inside of a department store is one I don't think we've ever come across in the United States, so this is a completely unique experience for us. Plus the M&S Food Hall has so many amazing store-branded items that the whole experience was unlike anything we've ever experienced before. Trying M&S food for the first time was a lovely experience. There were so many interesting options that we are dying to know what your recommendations are for next time!

This video was recorded October 30, 2022.

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[Freestxne]

As someone who works in food manufacturing and made fresh produce for most of the uk supermarkets over the years and seen the ingredients that go in I will say you definitely get what you pay for when it comes to M&S. You truly are paying for the quality.

[joshhancill]

I work for M&S and I get 20% staff discount. People say it’s pricey but you’re paying for the quality, but with my staff discount it brings the price down to other supermarkets so I have no excuse but to shop at Marksies 😆

[catgladwell]

The wide eyed wonder at things that seem so ordinary is very touching.

[jonm]

I notice the majority of posts mention that M&S is expensive, but personally I feel when you take into account the quality of produce it’s actually good value. For years the food side of M&S has propped up the whole business and it’s because it’s so popular. I’m pleased you enjoyed your M&S visit and must say that store was massive; I haven’t come across many of the products you viewed in that Chester store.

[arriesone]

After watching this video I think we Brits should feel pretty proud of our M&S’s wonderful range of ready meals! (Not forgetting they also do a great range of raw meats to cook ourselves)

[truthseeking-tl]

The duck fat and goose fat is perfect for when you are roasting potatoes. They go super crispy! Perfect for a roast dinner.

[ThePurplePython]

Love how enthusiastic and bubbly you two are staying on our little island. Please come back and stay longer 🥺

[staffordshirelass]

When Mum got into her 90's she began to rely upon ready meals, M & S were so superior. Most supermarkets ready meals were just meat and potatoes they usually had a selection of veggies with them and in reality when you considered the quality they were better value. The shelf life was shorter as there were less preservatives and the variety was vast. Her favourite was the Salmon with watercress sauce and baby new potatoes mine was the hake with roasted tomatoes other supermarkets had a few curries a few chinese cottage pie etc just bog standard stuff she never got bored. Roast pork with cider gravy was another favourite. She really enjoyed their meals. On her last day on earth just shy of her 94th birthday she went there on her scooter and did her weekly shop. Hale till the end on M&S food I never had any worries about her appetite. She had brain hemorrhage very quick the way she would have wanted it totally independent to the end.

[bobgibson]

Years ago I worked in a large bakery which supplied a lot of supermarkets. But when the time came (usually in the extremely early morning) to do the Marks and Spencer run. There was a long pause. Recipes changed, and a crew from the store would oversee everything. They also had the power to reject the whole run.
Cost more?
Yes. But that's OK

[Parawingdelta]

I live in Australia now, but I grew up in Britain (for the most part) in the fifties and sixties. Back in those days Marks and Spencer were known for their inexpensive but quite good quality clothing. The week before I left my family and emigrated (as a parting gift), my father took me to M&S and paid for a whole new wardrobe to take with me. I was like a walking advertisement.

[marksandspencer]

Yes it is! It's an unwritten rule that you havn't been to Britain until you've tried a Percy Pig... glad you enjoyed! 🐷🙌

[MarcZedex]

Fair play. I used to volunteer at a food bank that got all of M&S end of day/day after end-of-date stuff that we'd hand out. Probably the best food-bank in the world.

[LexAngel]

M&S and Waitrose are our high end supermarkets, but you do get what you pay for. For an extra pound or two, the ready meals are far superior to

[stumpali]

This is making me proud to be British 😊

[SH-zrsp]

Hi, did you notice that the M&S food has virtually zero additives unlike the food in the US!! Exceptionally amazing ready prepared food!!! Enjoy it all. X

[shaunbyrne]

The Toad in The Hole traditionally has a rich onion gravy with it . 🙂 . If you make your own, seal / brown the sausages in a frying pan transfer to a baking tin, add the Yorkshire batter and bake . Make the gravy in the same pan you sealed the sausages in to get the meaty flavour into the gravy . Its generally a main meal in itself served on its own with gravy or with the addition of whatever veg takes your fancy .

[debsidoo]

I use Goose fat for my Christmas dinner roast potatoes . I don’t like pork pies but I think most people would eat them cold with a buffet or in a picnic etc. All our food prices have increased in the UK and still are. I would normally serve toad in the hole with nice thick onion gravy, mash and fresh veg.

[michaelaaylott]

I’m British but have lived in Spain since 1991, and years ago, coming on holiday to England and walking round UK supermarkets seemed like being in wonderland - so you can imagine how we felt about M&S! A dream come true! But seeing the sheer amount of ready meals there in your video was a bit shocking, a sign of how lives have changed, with nobody seemingly having time to cook even simple things like vegetables. It can’t be healthy, can it? Of course, if it’s an occasional treat, no problem; but I don’t think I’d be buying shepherds pie then.
Here is Spain supermarkets are also offering more ready meals now, but nowhere near like in the UK. The emphasis is still more on ingredients.

[malcolmross]

You cannot go wrong with M&S foods!

[marjoryross]

I was salivating as you walked through the store. My children vaguely remember M&S in Canada. On our 2019 3-generation trip to the UK we hit M&S in Oban. We were all like kids in a candy store. The food is just so good and the quality amazing.🇨🇦🇨🇦