When it comes to the weekly food shop, most of us have our preferred supermarkets. For the bulk of my groceries, I tend to head to Sainsbury's or Tesco. It's practical and dependable, and it stocks a broad selection of products to meet my requirements. I'm also a big fan of most of their own-brand ranges.
One Item Worth the Extra Cost
However, there's one particular item that sends me straight to M&S instead. I'd happily do my entire food shop there if it made financial sense, but certain products simply aren't worth the extra cost for me. That said, there's one item I'll exclusively purchase from the upmarket retailer: strawberries.
Fruit is a staple of many people's weekly shop, mine included, yet it can deteriorate remarkably quickly. While there are various storage tricks to extend the shelf life of strawberries, purchasing them from M&S means they remain fresher for considerably longer.
Quality and Value
Whether I'm picking up a single punnet or several, I wouldn't dream of buying them elsewhere. The same applies to all berries. I once had blueberries from M&S that lasted a full 10 days. The quality and flavour are noticeably superior, and the price difference compared to rival supermarkets is minimal.
For instance, a 250g punnet at Sainsbury's costs £2.25, while the identical size at M&S is £2.60. Although marginally pricier, I find I waste far fewer strawberries than I ordinarily would.
Truth be told, I prefer all of M&S's fruit, particularly as we approach the summer months, including their kiwis, bananas, apples and oranges.
Expanded Simple Ingredients Collection
The retailer has also recently expanded its simple ingredients collection, transforming everyday foods into healthier alternatives. The packaging is brilliant, explicitly displaying what's contained within each product, and I purchased a variety to sample. The avocado oil crisps, while priced at a substantial £3.90, were scrumptious, as were the sausages, meatballs and bread. The condiments were equally flavoursome and tasted fresh, and I'm looking forward to returning to collect the baked beans.
