Festive food, cool yule jumpers, quality decorations and imaginative gifts are all things we associate with M&S, and shoppers are flocking to its new Christmas Shop in the Intu Trafford Centre. Clothing and Home Marketing Director Nathan Ansell explained that M&S wanted to "make life easier" for busy customers by launching its seasonal lines early, while store manager Catherine Peat says that they have already had "a great response", pointing out that there are items "to suit every budget", from £1 upwards.
The wide variety of stock reflects the demands of customers. M&S food is a must for any Christmas table, and as always, it can be ordered online or in-store for delivery or collection. Alternative diets are well catered-for, with trimmings such as vegan pigs-in-blankets on the menu, while the comprehensive drinks selection even includes a snow globe gin liqueur with edible 23-carat-gold leaf pieces!
Of course, all the traditional dishes are on offer, too, with stuffed turkey, roast beef and a variety of other meat and fish dishes. Shoppers are spoilt for choice with starters, vegetables, sides and indulgent desserts (tackle the foot-long chocolate eclair if you dare), while the party food is perfect for Boxing Day. Delicious cakes, tins of biscuits and yummy Belgian chocolates complete the decadence.
The pop-up shop in the Trafford Centre, just outside Manchester City Centre, is bedecked with glittering Christmas trees and any kind of lighting you could want. There are enough baubles to fill several large treasure chests, while decorations range from robins, snow globes and "Nutcracker"-themed toy soldiers, to candle-holders and advent calendars. Crackers come in all sizes and finishes, and you can even make your own.
Whether it's clothes or accessories, toiletries or homeware, there are gifts for all ages and tastes. 'Tis the season for gloves, scarves and slippers, and what would Christmas be without those novelty socks? If it has a seasonal theme, so much the better, and M&S Christmas jumpers are flying out of the Trafford Centre's pop-up shop, while cosy pyjamas are just the job when diving for presents beneath a laden tree.
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