M&S Dine-In Deal Put to the Test Against Supermarket Competitors
A savvy mother and money-saving content creator has conducted a detailed price comparison to determine whether Marks & Spencer's premium dine-in meal deal represents genuine value for money. Clair, who shares budgeting tips with her 12,800 TikTok followers, scrutinised the retailer's much-hyped rotisserie chicken offer against similar purchases from three rival supermarkets.
The M&S Proposition: Premium Price for Perceived Quality
Marks & Spencer's current promotion, available in stores across England, Scotland and Wales from 21 January to 10 February, offers shoppers a whole rotisserie chicken accompanied by three side dishes for £15. The supermarket positions this as a meal suitable for four people, continuing their reputation for occasional attractive dine-in deals that bundle mains, sides and sometimes desserts at fixed prices.
"The M&S rotisserie dining is back and I've seen a lot of hype, but how does it compare to other stores?" Clair questioned at the outset of her investigation. "Don't get me wrong, I know M&S is quality, but for what is a roast chicken, chips, veg, and a bit of coleslaw? I think we can do better."
Supermarket Showdown: Three Competitors Under the Microscope
Clair's methodology involved visiting three alternative supermarkets to assemble comparable meal components, carefully noting both prices and qualitative differences.
Iceland: The Unexpectedly Expensive Contender
Beginning with Iceland, where Clair admitted she held low expectations regarding significant savings, she assembled a basket containing corn on the cob, frozen mixed greens, frozen french fries, seasonings and a large chicken. The total came to £12.75, making it the most expensive alternative despite her initial assumptions.
"Of course, you've got a bit more veg and fries, but for me, the size and the quality of the chicken just doesn't stack up here," she observed, concluding she would rather pay the premium for M&S's offering.
Tesco: The Middle-Ground Option
At Tesco, Clair selected corn on the cob, frozen mash, coleslaw, seasoning and an extra large chicken, totalling £11.38. This positioned Tesco as the second cheapest alternative in her comparison.
"The chicken was a lot bigger, like the Iceland one though, I did have to buy my own seasoning," she noted. "However, this ready made mash was twice the size [to M&S' one]."
Aldi: The Clear Price Champion
The most economical option emerged at Aldi, where Mediterranean vegetables, baking potatoes, coleslaw, seasoning and an extra large chicken amounted to just £9.75 - representing a substantial 35% saving compared to the M&S deal.
"I got the baking potatoes that could be chopped into wedges, Mediterranean veg for a ratatouille, and again, the chicken, size wise, was pretty much on point with what M&S was offering," Clair reported.
The Quality Versus Cost Conundrum
Despite demonstrating that all three supermarket alternatives undercut M&S on price, with Aldi offering the most significant savings, Clair's followers revealed a persistent loyalty to the premium retailer based on perceived quality differences.
"Genuinely, the M&S hot honey chicken is the best chicken I've ever bought. I'd buy it at full price so will be taking full advantage of the deal," one commenter asserted, with Clair acknowledging this perspective given that the chicken alone typically retails at £11.50 outside the promotion.
Another viewer simply stated: "Taste of M&S chicken is way better than other supermarkets though," highlighting the subjective nature of value assessment where flavour and quality perceptions may outweigh purely financial considerations.
The investigation ultimately presents shoppers with a clear choice: embrace the £15 M&S deal for its perceived premium quality, opt for Aldi's £9.75 alternative for maximum savings, or select Tesco's £11.38 middle-ground option. The decision hinges on individual priorities regarding taste, convenience and budgetary constraints in today's challenging economic climate.
