Marks & Spencer shoppers have been left thrilled by the somewhat premature return of one of its most beloved cookies - as part of several festive additions to the supermarket chain's shelves.
Indeed, Christmas may still be more than three months away, but that hasn't prevented the retail giant from bringing back M&S Bakery-branded Gingerbread and White Chocolate Cookies. The Yuletide offerings don't stop there. With 114 days until Christmas Day, M&S customers can now also get their hands on All Butter Mini Shortbread [Christmas] Trees, alongside six packs of All Butter Mince Pies and All Butter Pastry Puff Pastry Mince Pies.
Festive range expands with elf-themed tins and gingerbread truck
Also available in-store are 'Naughty' and 'Nice' elf-themed tins of All Butter Chocolate Chunk Cookies.
And elsewhere for gingerbread lovers, M&S has reintroduced its 200g tin Gingerbread Truck - brimming with mini gingerbread men.
The cookies, which come in packs of five, were showcased by social media foodies, New Food Lovers UK, who posted a photo of the treats on Instagram.
Shoppers react to the return of a seasonal favourite
Each 375g pack is priced at £3.25. "Our fan-favourite Gingerbread and White Chocolate Cookies are back this year," M&S proudly announced. "Full of warming gingerbread spices and rich white chocolate to create a melt-in-the-mouth taste, snag a bag from the bakery in the Foodhall."
It added: "Our Gingerbread Truck is a festive vehicle-shaped tin filled with all-butter gingerbread men. Baked for a rich, buttery snap, the biscuits are warmly spiced with ginger and sweet caramel notes for a classic flavour."
Reacting to the cookie announcement, one Instagram user joked: "I'm only allowed to eat these from November onwards!"
A second person added: "They're odd, last year I had to eat the whole back and get a second pack and I still think their odd!"
While a third exclaimed: "Yay will be stocking up." And a fourth individual pondered: "If they bring the peppermint bark ones back, I'm ending the diet."
Back-to-school lunchbox boost for parents
For all the talk of Christmas, the kids are yet to go back to school following the summer. In a boost for parents, M&S is now selling a selection of foods ideal for packed lunches and making the early morning back-to-school rush "that little bit easier".
Though plenty enjoy school dinners, a large proportion come armed with a packed lunch - but it can be a time-consuming endeavour for busy parents to prepare this five days a week.
In a recent Instagram post, a number of packed lunch staples were pictured, many of which are part of the retailer's popular Taste Buds range. The Taste Buds collection features a variety of healthy, child-friendly prepared meals, snacks, and lunchbox items designed for children aged four to 10.
M&S penned in a caption: "Lunchboxes [hand shake emoji] M&S Food. Whether it’s mini wraps, pasta salad or a fresh salad lunch, our range is packed with tasty options to make back-to-school mornings that little bit easier."
The store urged customers to "look out for family favourites" including Taste Buds Mild Cheddar Sticks, which come in a multipack priced at £2.75; Yoghurt Pouches which vary in price; Apple and Pear Pouches, Popped Chips, Juice Boxes, multipacks of raisins and fresh fruit which are all "packed, prepped and ready for the school run".
