Shoppers across the UK are embarking on a determined hunt for a specific festive treat, with many describing Marks and Spencer's latest chocolate offering as 'gold dust'. The retailer's new, extra-large 1.2kg Big Mix assortment tin has sparked a buying frenzy, with customers reporting it sold out in stores across wide areas.
A Sweet Dose of Nostalgia
The vibrant tin, priced at £12, is being marketed as M&S's biggest ever mixed chocolate selection. It contains a classic array of ten different flavours designed to evoke childhood memories, including salted caramel, hazelnut, fudge, and orange creme chocolates. The launch comes at a time when many feel traditional favourites have fallen victim to shrinkflation, with own-brand alternatives gaining popularity for their perceived value and quality.
One eager customer revealed on Reddit they had placed their first ever Ocado order specifically to secure a tin after finding it unavailable in every store within a 30-mile radius. "I'm hoping it's going to be like the Quality Street or Roses of my youth," they posted. An M&S employee confirmed the high demand, commenting that "everyone keeps asking for these in my store."
Flying Off the Shelves
The product's popularity is clear from shopper reactions. Those lucky enough to purchase the tin have been effusive in their praise. "These are so nice!" one person gushed, noting the chocolates reminded them of childhood favourites. Another confessed to buying two tins, describing them as having "proper size, proper chocolate and great selection" and declaring them "the closest to the tins of yore."
The value proposition is a key part of the appeal. For the same £12 price, the M&S tin offers 200g more chocolate than a standard 1kg tub of Quality Street, which was also listed at that price in the supermarket.
The History of the Christmas Chocolate Tin
The tradition of sharing tins of chocolates during the festive season became firmly established in the UK in the mid-20th century, particularly after World War II. Pioneers of the trend were Mackintosh's Quality Street, launched in 1936, and Cadbury Roses, which followed in 1938. These were originally sold in decorative tins and small boxes.
The shift to the large plastic tubs familiar today occurred during the 1990s and 2000s, as supermarkets promoted them as family-friendly holiday staples. This long history is why such assortments often stir strong feelings of nostalgia. The current success of M&S's own-brand version suggests a growing appetite for alternatives that recapture the generous spirit and taste of those earlier offerings.
