Marks & Spencer is facing a storm of criticism from shoppers over the price of its premium Christmas centrepiece, a Beef Wellington that costs a hefty £195.
Customer Backlash on Social Media
The luxury item, officially named The M&S Collection Fillet of British Beef Wellington, is designed to serve six people and has been marketed as the "ultimate showstopper" for the festive table. However, the price point has been met with widespread disbelief.
On the online forum Reddit, customers did not hold back. One person exclaimed, "There’s overspending at Christmas, then there’s f***ing that!!" Another simply stated, "Lol, that’s just ridiculous," while a third described the cost as "insane".
Another commenter joked that the price might be justifiable only "if it included Tom Kerridge doing the cooking and cleaning up." A different perspective came from a shopper who argued, "That’s just stupid. I’d pay that in a restaurant, but not for a cook-at-home ready meal."
A Deeper Look at the Price Justification
Not all reactions were negative. Some users came to the defence of the retailer, providing context for the high cost. One person, claiming to be a butcher, admitted finding the price "absolutely ridiculous" but conceded that those with disposable income were free to spend it as they wished.
Another more supportive commenter noted, "A lot of people here obviously haven’t ever purchased a whole beef fillet." They detailed their own experience, explaining that the beef alone for a homemade Wellington cost them £87, with an additional £15-£20 for other ingredients. They concluded that "with prep time, delivery and the M&S surcharge this is a totally expected price."
M&S Responds to the Controversy
Despite the online fury, M&S has reported strong sales for the product. A spokesperson for the company stated, "The M&S Collection Tom Kerridge Beef Wellington has been a big hit with customers – it’s selling very well and we only have a few left."
The retailer defended the price by highlighting the product's quality. They emphasised that the over 2kg Wellington is made with hand-butchered British beef fillet, matured for 17 days, and is created to restaurant standards, calling it "the absolute best quality Wellington we’ve ever created."
The debate highlights the growing tension between premium supermarket offerings and customer expectations on value, especially during a cost-of-living crisis. While some see it as an extravagant luxury, others view it as a justifiable price for a high-end, convenient Christmas dish.
