M&S makes change to food to order stores for Christmas as shoppers fume about missing out

M&S has made a change to its stores offering food to order and some shoppers are missing out.

The posh nosh maker said over 500 of its stores are offering the option to order pre-made cakes, main and party food ahead of the festive season.

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Shoppers can now select to food they wish order from the range on the M&S website.

Then you can collect it in store on December 22, 23 or 24.

The slots have been available from September 23, with shoppers being asked to pay a £50 deposit.

But a number of shoppers were left disgruntled after discovering their local branch was no longer offering the service.

Taking to X, one customer said: “Gutted you’ve omitted Dumbarton store from Christmas food orders this year. That’s a large area of people you’re turning away.”

While another shopper unaware the service was no longer available asked: “Is there an issue with the Dumbarton store as it is not showing as available to book a slot.”

The Sun understands that two stores, including the Dumbarton branch, are no longer offering the service.

An M&S spokesperson said: “We are not offering Christmas Food to Order at our Dumbarton store this year due to space restrictions and apologise for any inconvenience caused.

“Customers are able to book a collection slot at another M&S store via our website here (Christmas Food to Order at M&S), including our Braehead and Port Glasgow stores.”

A number of shoppers were also unaware that M&S no longer offers New Year food to order option.

One customer said: “Disappointed , no New Year collection / delivery dates”.

And another said: “There are no New Year collection dates.”

M&S has not offered Food to Order for New Years for a number of years.

But its standard sandwich sushi platters and cakes are available on the 30th and 31st.

M&S is also offering ‘use by date’ information on all Christmas Food to Order products.

This means customers can plan all of their festive feasting, knowing which products will last for Boxing Day, between Christmas and their NYE celebrations.

Supermarkets at Christmas

With Christmas less than 100 days away, a number of supermarkets are giving customers a chance to get prepared early.

Tesco has also confirmed it’s making thousands of extra slots available in the two weeks leading up to Christmas to make it easier for customers to get everything ready for the big day.

Tesco slots open for all customers, including those on its Off-peak Delivery Saver plan, at 6am on November 11.

But some customers who are signed up to the supermarket’s annual delivery pass will be able to get a slot even earlier.

Shoppers signed up to an Anytime Delivery Saver plan or Click+Collect plan can secure a slot a week earlier, with slots opening to this group of customers at 6am on November 4.

Posh supermarket Waitrose is opening its slots from September 24, for customers with an active Delivery Pass, but it’s yet to confirm the date for customers without one.

Asda has also announced that as of October 14, delivery pass holders will be able to book a slot for their festive food shop.

For all other customers, the opening date is from October 20.

Asda said that over one million home delivery and click-and-collect slots will be available in the week leading up to Christmas.

Shoppers can also make changes or additions to their basket up until 11pm the night before their delivery or collection.