M&S opts to introduce other food brands

[paulham]

First they did away with the St Michael brand, now this:
[High street retailer Marks & Spencer (M&S) may soon be introducing other food brands onto its shelves as part of its future business plan.

Well-known brands and products such as Heinz Tomato Ketchup, Kellogg's Cornflakes and Nestle coffee could soon appear in M&S stores, it has been revealed.

Breaking from 85 years of tradition, the move will mean the retailer's food shelves will no longer only stock own-brand products.

"This is a huge cultural and philosophical decision. It is emotionally very significant for those who work in the company and could become commercially significant as time goes on," a senior retail analyst told the Telegraph.

M&S is to trial the idea before rolling the scheme out nationwide.]
http://www.fdin.co.uk/news/index.php?type=related&generate=yes&news_article_id=18599959#18599959
Momentous with a small m?

[chocadmin]

Perhaps (finally) an admission that some/many of their own brand products are overpriced given little or no increase in quality over the 'regular' brands.
Lets hope they start stocking some decent chocolate (although they'll never catch Waitrose on that).

[loulou]

Nothing beats sunday afternoons with a good film and a box of 8 M&S walnut whips.

[paulham]

Some of their products do actually exceed the quality of big brands. I have seen the spec for them.
I agree though that a lot of their foodstuffs are dressed up routine brands.

[smurfboy]

I don't think this is a good idea. M&S's strength is their reputation for quality food; this just makes them another supermarket.

[loulou]

I love shopping at M&S but I always avoid the jars and tins aisles as that all seems overpriced.
The dogmeat is good value at 79p and my Ollie loves it.

[paulham]

I don't think this is a good idea. M&S's strength is their reputation for quality food; this just makes them another supermarket.

This isn't any old ketchup, this is Marks and Spencers Heinz ketchup, err........

[loulou]

Allthe chavs will descend on M&S at this rate.

[smurfboy]

I doubt it. You'll probably be able to get the same stuff at half the price at Asda.

[loulou]

That's good then cos I don't like to spend my Sunday morning walking around M&S with the riff raff.

[bounty hunter]

That's right, along with John Lewis, M&S is a Chav free zone. Let's keep it that way.