Nestle has confirmed that its Quality Street cardboard tubs will not return for Christmas 2026, ending a two-year trial that began in selected Tesco stores. The move follows a trial that saw 200,000 paper tubs rolled out across 60 Tesco branches for Christmas 2024.
End of the Paper Tub Trial
The confectionery giant initially described the initiative as a 'first of its kind' box, with Quality Street saying 'a lot of care and hard work' had gone into the trial and that it was 'proud to be the first major manufacturer to trial a paper tub'. The trial was repeated with additional cardboard tubs in selected outlets last year, with Nestle describing the step as 'another step on Nestle's journey to reduce virgin plastic use'.
The tub, which featured the signature Quality Street purple, was described as having 'a luxurious design and feel, and embellished with gold foil'. Once finished, it could be placed in with household recycling. Nestle said it would be assessing the tub's appeal with customers, feedback from supply chain teams and in-store teams at Tesco, as it continued 'to innovate and seek ways to improve the sustainability of its packaging'.
However, two years on from the trial launch, the business has confirmed the boxes, which were priced the same as the plastic ones, won't make a return for Christmas 2026. While no specific reasons have been given, the company confirmed that cardboard tubs haven't been ruled out entirely for the future.
Company Statements and Shopper Reactions
A Nestlé spokesperson said: "We won't be trialling our Quality Street paper tub this year. We're using our experience from 2024 and 2025 to make further developments. Watch this space as we continue to explore its role with the ambition to bring it back on a bigger scale in the future." A Tesco spokesperson confirmed that the cardboard tubs will not feature in its Christmas range this year.
When the change was first reported, shoppers responded with mixed feelings. A post about the tub on a money-saving Facebook page drew hundreds of comments, with many questioning the shift towards paper boxes and wrappers. "Go back to tin and squeaky wrappers," said one. "Tins are better anyway, can be recycled and often are, my gran had a few that were 20-30 years old keeping various odds and sods." However, others embraced the change, with one commenter writing: "About time as a good move to be more environmentally friendly and hope the others follow."
Other Retail Changes and New Products
It comes after Costco reintroduced its giant tins of Quality Street, weighing nearly 2kg and retailing at just over £19 including VAT. That works out at roughly 96p per 100g, representing considerably better value than the Quality Street Festival Tin available at Morrisons, which costs £13 for 700g (£1.86 per 100g). The only other stockist discovered selling the enormous tins was Amazon, where 1.93kg tins are priced at approximately £36 and 2kg tins at £39.99. Last Christmas the giant tin contained 211 chocolates in total, spanning 11 different varieties, featuring all the beloved classics including The Purple One, The Green Triangle and Orange Chocolate Crunch.
John Lewis has also discontinued all Quality Street products this Christmas, including the popular pick 'n' mix stations, as it concentrates on a 'fresh line-up of exclusive festive treats'. This means for the first time in years customers won't be able to purchase personalised Quality Street tins - or any of the brand's standard chocolate tins and boxes - in its shops throughout the UK or online. The Quality Street pick and mix stations had proved a viral sensation for the past eight years in selected John Lewis shops, including at the Trafford Centre and Cheadle Royal. It enabled customers to personalise special edition tins of the renowned chocolate brand available exclusively at John Lewis. Customers could then fill them with their own selection of flavours from a range of up to 12 flavours like the iconic green triangle and purple one at distinctive pick 'n' mix stations in shops. The John Lewis website confirmed the news declaring: "Quality Street will not be available in John Lewis this year, but we have lots of gifting options for you to explore."
Nestlé confirmed it also has new products to offer this festive season, having joined forces with Monopoly. A spokesperson said: "We know how much shoppers enjoyed creating their own Quality Street tins at John Lewis, and it's been a brilliant part of Christmas for many years. This year, we're doing things a little differently, teaming up with another festive favourite, Monopoly, which will see us launch a special Quality Street x Monopoly tub over the coming weeks with thousands of prizes up for grabs!" The Quality Street x Monopoly tub made its debut in 'stores nationwide' on November 1.
