Shoppers at Marks & Spencer have been expressing an urgent 'need' after discovering the retailer's new Valentine's Day range has landed on shelves across the UK, with Easter products also making a surprisingly early appearance.
Sweethearts and Early Eggs: A Seasonal Clash on the Shelves
The Valentine's Day menu officially arrived in stores on Saturday, 3 January 2026, just over a month before the romantic holiday on 14 February. Shelves are now packed with traditional offerings like chocolate hearts and large Valentine's bars, alongside more novel creations.
Key new items catching the eye include a pistachio heart, a product influenced by the popular Dubai chocolate trend that dominated 2025. Other standout treats are the 'Honey, I Love You' popcorn, the Choccy Cherry Mallow Whip, and a chocolate bar filled with whole hazelnuts, raisins, and almond brittle.
Shoppers Declare They 'Need' the New M&S Range
The launch has quickly generated buzz on social media, with customers sharing their finds and must-have lists. On the Instagram page Newfoodsuk, one enthusiast declared the 'Heart of Gold' sounded "right up my street," while another exclaimed, "Omg them choccy cherry whips are a bit of me." A third simply commented, "wow," capturing the general excitement.
This reaction underscores the strong consumer demand for M&S's seasonal, innovative confectionery lines.
Easter Arrives Three Months Early in Birmingham's Bullring
In a notable overlap of seasons, the Valentine's Day display in the Bullring, Birmingham store is positioned directly next to a full array of Easter goodies. These festive items have appeared a full three months before Easter.
The early Easter stock includes a variety of own-brand products, from loaded eggs to Easter lollies. Another nod to the Dubai trend is a set of four pistachio chocolate eggs. While prices vary, plenty of stock was reported available for those seeking a very early spring treat.
The simultaneous launch of two major seasonal ranges highlights M&S's strategy to capture shopper interest early, driving footfall and social media conversation with trend-led products like the pistachio chocolates.
