Marks & Spencer news and analysis
M&S Food is the grocery division of Marks & Spencer, which operates through standalone Simply Food stores and food halls within larger M&S locations. M&S Food has partnered with Ocado for online grocery delivery. The Grocer covers M&S Food with news, analysis, insight and opinion, including product innovation, strategic partnerships, and market performance.
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NewsRegulation at risk of ‘banning the Saturday job’, says M&S chief
Retail can provide a gateway to employment for those with little experience and an opportunity to grow confidence while learning skills on the job, but has been ‘left out of most visions for economic growth’, said Stuart Machin
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NewsM&S giving all store managers Microsoft AI assistants
The AI will be able to complete tasks such as creating shift rotas, giving store managers more time to focus on customer service
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NewsAF Blakemore and Marston’s extend strategic partnership to 2033
The new contract will extend their relationship until October 2033
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NewsM&S’s Only 9 Ingredients rolls attract ultra-processed warning
The rolls have been flagged as ultra-processed by The Food App, which aims to make it ‘easy to avoid ultra-processed foods’ by scanning barcodes in store.
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Category ReportSmall Beer hails big gains as mid-strength brews gain ground
Supermarkets have invested heavily in low & no alcohol offers in recent years. The category has grown in value by 14.3% to £378.3m on volumes up 11.2% [NIQ]
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NewsM&S revamps cereals with muesli, granolas and oats made from natural ingredients
The move is part of the retailer’s bid to double the size of its food business
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NewsSupermarkets reluctant to sign up to Better Chicken Commitment, NGO warns
Speaking after the NGO published its latest ChickenTrack report, which measures progress made by the 107 BCC signatories, global director of food business Dr Tracey Jones lamented the slow momentum
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NewsPremium own-label lager sales surge as brands struggle, data reveals
Retailers are stepping up their focus on own-label lager to excite shoppers
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NewsMajor retailers commit to review mackerel sourcing policies
Last week, Waitrose announced it would stop its sourcing of fresh, chilled and frozen mackerel by 29 April, with tinned lines to follow
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NewsShoppers switch to own label and buy less to save money: NIQ
Total till sales at UK supermarkets increased 3.3% in the four weeks to 21 February, but volumes declined by 0.8% – a bigger fall than January’s 0.6%
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NewsEPR: retailers and Wrap back call for funding rethink
A new white paper calls on Defra and PackUK to revamp the system so companies that are shown to be investing in genuine recycling initiatives are rewarded with lower fees
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Comment & OpinionAsda’s leadership lessons (and other takeaways from Retail Week x The Grocer LIVE 2026)
Discussions at Retail Week x The Grocer LIVE 2026 have included Asda’s turnaround, the role of AI, retail media and the business of building hype
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NewsM&S raising store worker pay by 6.4%
The rise, which will benefit 55,000 workers, is an increase of 6.4% from current M&S rates
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NewsArgos trumps Tesco to top new index of retailer digital capability
The Sainsbury’s-owned everything retailer offers shopping features most closely matched to consumer demands
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NewsM&S investing in fairer incomes for Ivory Coast cocoa farmers
M&S has also committed to paying an additional investment over two years on top of the Fairtrade Premium
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NewsSupermarkets in Gibraltar, including Morrisons, in race to meet new EU rules
Businesses supplying retailers in Gibraltar have less than two months to prove their products meet EU regulations
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Analysis & FeaturesHow can the food & drink industry tackle youth unemployment?
Young people today face a challenging jobs market. But many food and drink companies are helping them get their foot in the door with apprenticeships, graduate schemes and qualifications
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NewsM&S has biggest-ever Valentine’s for flower sales
M&S’s share of flowers and plants reached 17.1% in the eight weeks to 14 February, up from 16.3% a year earlier [Circana], as it sold over a million Valentine’s bouquets
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NewsOver 80% of M&S shoppers planning to dine in on Valentine’s Day
In a continuation of a well-established trend of dining in to save on restaurant bills, 82% of M&S shoppers said they would not be going out on 14 February
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Grocer 33M&S score impresses in Newcastle supermarket mystery shop victory
That 25,000 sq ft M&S racked up near-perfect scores in almost every category