Marks & Spencer’s Food Revolution: Four Smart Moves and a Grocerant Guru® Forecast

 

Marks & Spencer (M&S) isn’t just selling groceries—it’s rewriting the rules of food retail. In an era where food is as much about wellness, convenience, and social media buzz as it is about price, M&S has become a category innovator. From larger experiential food halls to gut-friendly drinks and hyper-personalized loyalty, M&S is driving growth where others see stagnation according to Steven Johnson Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions®.

But how does M&S measure up against global leaders like Kroger, Trader Joe’s, Carrefour, or Aldi? Let’s dig in—with overlooked data points, cross-market comparisons, and Grocerant Guru® wisdom.

 

1. Food Hall Expansion & “Remarksable Value” Strategy

Between 2020 and 2025, M&S grew its food hall footprint from 324 to 388, with a target of 420 by 2028. These 14,000 sq ft food halls are double the UK average supermarket size (7,000 sq ft), creating space for grocerant dining and experiential retail.

Overlooked Metric: Studies show every 7 minutes of extra dwell time increases basket size by 18%. Food hall design isn’t about bigger—it’s about stickier.

Their “Remarksable Value” range blends affordability with quality: British beef burgers under £3, sourdough loaves rivaling artisan bakeries. Sales of value-led lines surged in double digits.

Global Comparison:

·       Kroger (U.S.): Invested $1.2B in food hall–style stores with wine bars and prepared meals, but M&S’s smaller footprint achieves similar dwell-time impact without the mega-center sprawl.

·       Carrefour (France): Expanding “Carrefour Market” with hybrid fresh/ready-to-eat zones, but lags M&S on premium-value perception.

·       Aldi (Global): Dominates price. M&S carves “upscale value”—a hybrid positioning Aldi doesn’t play in.

 

2. Sparks Loyalty Program: Lighting Up Personalization

With 20 million Sparks members, M&S is building one of the UK’s richest food datasets. Campaigns like “Baby Club” proved its segmentation power, drawing 100,000 sign-ups in two weeks.

Overlooked Metric: M&S boosted email click-through by 8% via behind-the-scenes tech (Sender Certification). Small operational wins at scale = millions in revenue.

Global Comparison:

·       Kroger’s 84.51° data arm monetizes shopper insights for CPG brands, generating hundreds of millions in annual revenue. M&S could replicate this with Sparks data.

·       Trader Joe’s has no loyalty program—relying instead on cult-like brand love. M&S has both data and emotional branding, a rare combo.

·       Carrefour leverages AI to predictively stock items at the local level. Sparks could go further by recommending personalized meal kits, health bundles, or mood-based foods.

Grocerant Guru® Take: Loyalty in 2025 isn’t about points—it’s about predictive personalization. M&S is closing the gap with U.S. data leaders.

 

3. Health-Forward Innovation: Eat Well, ZOE & Functional Foods

By early 2025, 50% of M&S food sales carried the “Eat Well” label, with a target of 70% by year-end. Its ZOE collaboration fast-tracked gut health products like the probiotic “Gut Shot,” now a category leader.

Market Context: Functional foods are growing at 8.5% CAGR, hitting $260B globally by 2030.

Global Comparison:

·       Whole Foods (U.S.): Strong on wellness but lacks exclusive science-backed collabs like ZOE.

·       Sprouts (U.S.): Leans into functional snacks, but with less brand credibility.

·       Aeon (Japan): Pioneering functional labeling tied to government health goals—M&S could learn from this regulatory alignment.

·       Carrefour is dabbling in “healthy baskets,” but none match M&S’s Kew-verified mushroom drinks—proof of next-level scientific partnerships.

Grocerant Guru® Take: M&S has leapfrogged into global leadership on trusted wellness branding, not just participation.

 

4. Marketing Magic: Farm to Foodhall & Percy Pig Power

Chef Tom Kerridge’s “Farm to Foodhall” campaign boosted brand consideration from 43.4% to 45.9%. Meanwhile, Percy Pig and Colin the Caterpillar are TikTok darlings, with over 150 SKUs driving playful relevance.

Overlooked Data Point: Viral TikTok moments can spike product sales 300–400% within a week. Percy Pig is perfectly positioned for recurring viral lifts.

Global Comparison:

·       Trader Joe’s (U.S.): Creates cult products (Everything But the Bagel seasoning) that trend organically. Percy Pig is M&S’s equivalent—with better multi-category extensions.

·       Carrefour (France): Runs chef partnerships, but hasn’t cracked meme culture.

·       Walmart (U.S.): Pushes brands at scale, but lacks quirky icons that create generational emotional bonds.

Grocerant Guru® Tip: M&S should deepen provenance storytelling—QR codes, AR farmer stories, and carbon transparency could differentiate it globally.

 

What the Grocerant Guru® Wants to See Next

Here’s the Guru’s six-pack of future-forward ideas:

🍴 Strategy	💡 Guru Insight
Grocerant-style kiosks	Add chef-prepared bowls, sushi, and rotisserie for dwell-time lift
Hyper-personalized bundles	Leverage Sparks + ZOE to create diet/mood/lifestyle meal kits
Provenance storytelling	QR codes + AR features showcasing local farmers and sustainability
Positive branding	Retire “Punishment Juice”—adopt uplifting names like “Gut Boost Shot”
Digital–in-store convergence	Gamify Sparks with mystery meals & app-based scavenger hunts
Sustainability transparency	Highlight CO₂ savings, refill zones, compostable packaging

 

Summary Snapshot

Category	Highlights
Missteps	“Punishment Juice”; Plant Kitchen cuts; novelty dessert backlash
Successes	Food hall growth; Sparks personalization; health innovation; playful branding
Outlook	Strong appeal to families, health-conscious shoppers, and digital natives
Guru Suggestions	Grocerant kiosks; personalized bundles; provenance storytelling; gamification; sustainability

 

M&S vs. The Industry: Who’s Winning?

While UK supermarkets grew just 3.7% in August 2025, M&S food sales rose 6.7% year-on-year.

Global Competitive Lens:

·       Kroger: Stronger on data monetization but weaker on brand storytelling.

·       Trader Joe’s: Stronger cult status, weaker digital/data sophistication.

·       Carrefour: Larger international footprint, but weaker wellness credibility.

·       Aldi/Lidl: Price winners, but no emotional resonance.

Grocerant Guru® Verdict: M&S is transforming grocery into an experience that balances data, wellness, and delight. If they expand grocerant-style dining, embrace predictive personalization, and double down on emotional icons like Percy Pig, M&S won’t just win UK shoppers—they’ll emerge as a global model for modern food retail.

Are you ready for some fresh ideations? Do your food marketing ideas look more like yesterday than tomorrow? Interested in learning how our Grocerant Guru® can edify your retail food brand while creating a platform for consumer convenient meal participation, differentiation and individualization?  Email us at: Steve@FoodserviceSolutions.us or visit: us on our social media sites by clicking one of the following links: Facebook,  LinkedIn, or Twitter

 

Aldi’s Big Apple Leap: Why Growth Is on the Menu

 

As the Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions®, Steve Johnson, has been tracking Aldi’s trajectory for years. With the announcement that Aldi will open its first Manhattan store on 42nd Street near Times Square in 2026, the momentum behind the discount grocer has never been stronger. The new 25,000-square-foot location at The Ellery will be larger than most Aldi stores, signaling that the company isn’t just entering New York City—it’s making a statement.

Three Reasons Aldi Is Ready for NYC

1.       Proven Expansion Muscle – Aldi has committed to opening 800 new U.S. locations by 2028, including 225 this year alone. With nearly 120 stores opened in 2024 and a seamless entry into competitive markets like Las Vegas, Aldi has shown it can adapt to urban, suburban, and regional consumer needs.

2.       Consumer Foot Traffic Growth – According to Placer.ai, Aldi posted double-digit foot traffic growth for 11 consecutive months in 2024, peaking at 22.9% in February. Even at 8.8% growth in December, Aldi outpaced every major competitor. That sustained momentum demonstrates that Aldi’s value-driven model resonates deeply with today’s shoppers.

3.       Right Place, Right Time – By positioning itself in Times Square’s dense retail and residential corridor, Aldi is aligning with New York’s growing demand for affordable, fresh, and convenient grocery solutions. With its compact, curated format, Aldi fits the urban shopper mindset better than sprawling supermarkets.

Five Reasons Consumers Continue to Migrate to Aldi

1.       Price Advantage – Aldi is known for delivering 30–40% savings compared to traditional supermarkets, critical in an inflation-sensitive economy.

2.       Smaller Store Footprint – At 18,000–25,000 square feet, Aldi stores make shopping faster, easier, and less overwhelming.

3.       Private Label Power – Aldi-exclusive brands make up over 90% of its inventory, ensuring consistent quality and innovation at lower prices.

4.       Freshness and Flavor – Aldi continues to invest in produce, prepared meals, and global flavors, expanding beyond its original discount focus.

5.       Trust in Growth Markets – From suburban sprawl to dense urban centers, Aldi has proven it can scale, adapt, and still deliver value.

Why Publix, Kroger, and Walmart Should Be Concerned

1.       Traffic Shift – Aldi’s foot traffic growth (22.9% at its peak) dwarfs competitors, meaning customers are voting with their feet.

2.       Private Label Disruption – Aldi’s private label innovation puts pressure on big-box retailers to compete on taste, packaging, and price.

3.       Urban Strategy – By cracking Manhattan, Aldi is showing that Walmart’s large-format model is not the only path forward in dense urban markets.

4.       Consumer Loyalty Loop – Aldi’s consistent price perception builds loyalty, threatening long-standing regional and national chains who rely on promotional pricing to drive traffic.

Generational Food Preferences: Aldi’s Advantage

·       Gen Z: Price Advantage + Transparency
According to Deloitte’s food retail insights, 63% of Gen Z consumers rank affordability as their #1 grocery priority. Aldi’s efficiency-driven model and clear value proposition make it a natural fit.

·       Baby Boomers: Less Options, More Flavor
Boomers increasingly prefer streamlined assortments with fewer choices but better quality and flavor. Aldi’s tight SKU selection delivers exactly that—no wasted time, no shelf overload.

·       Millennials: Small Package Size + Food Discovery
Millennials want convenience-sized packaging and opportunities for new flavor exploration. Aldi’s rotation of seasonal finds, international products, and smaller pack options hits the sweet spot for this adventurous, urban-focused demographic.

Final Thought from the Grocerant Guru®

Aldi’s Manhattan move is more than just another store opening—it’s proof that the grocerant niche is reshaping grocery retail. With a laser focus on value, flavor, and innovation, Aldi is positioning itself as the growth leader in food retail. Competitors should take notice: the migration toward Aldi is not slowing—it’s accelerating.

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Since 1991, Foodservice Solutions® has been the global leader in the Grocerant niche—helping brands identify high-growth strategies that resonate with modern consumers.

📞 Call 253-759-7869 or 📩 Email Steve@FoodserviceSolutions.us

Robeks: A Grocerant Success Story in the Making

 

The grocerant niche according to Steven Johnson Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions®, is the space where restaurant-quality meals meet grocery-style convenience — continues to redefine consumer dining patterns. According to Technomic, 63% of consumers purchase prepared meals from non-traditional outlets like grocery and c-stores at least once per week, a number that has doubled over the past decade. Robeks is squarely positioned in this space, offering functional, flavorful, and portable foods that align with evolving consumer expectations.

With 109 locations and 40 more in development, Robeks isn’t simply competing in the smoothie category — it’s building a platform brand that blends health, flavor, and convenience.

 

Five Reasons Consumers Are Migrating to Robeks

1.       Functional Foods Are Mainstream – Datassential reports that 71% of Gen Z and Millennials actively seek out functional ingredients like protein, antioxidants, or probiotics. Robeks’ smoothies, açaí bowls, and plant-forward handhelds fit this demand.

2.       Snacking Replaces Meals – NPD Group data shows 49% of consumers replace one meal a day with snacks. Robeks’ Harmonious Bites hit this sweet spot, delivering warm, satisfying, yet “snackable” foods.

3.       Plant-Based Power – Plant-based menu penetration in restaurants has grown over 300% in the past 10 years (Datassential, 2024). The Impossible® Breakfast Sandwich positions Robeks as a credible player in this surging space.

4.       Convenience Rules – IRI reports that 68% of younger consumers say convenience is more important than brand loyalty when choosing food. With app ordering, loyalty rewards, and third-party delivery, Robeks removes friction.

5.       Better-for-You Over Fast Food – Mintel found that 42% of Millennials are actively replacing traditional fast food with healthier fast-casual alternatives. Robeks is capturing those “trade-up” dollars.

 

Five Reasons the Grocerant Guru® Believes Robeks Has ‘Legs’

1.       The Grocerant Shift is Accelerating – Leading brands in this niche (Wawa, Sheetz, 7-Eleven’s Evolution Stores) have proven consumers will pay for fresh, portable, better-for-you meals that straddle restaurant and retail. Robeks is riding the same wave.

2.       Menu Diversification Protects Against Trends – Just as Panera grew from soups and salads into coffee and flatbread pizzas, Robeks is widening its platform beyond smoothies, future-proofing against single-category fatigue.

3.       Growth Through Portability – Packaged Facts research shows portable meals and snacks represent $30 billion in U.S. food sales annually. Robeks’ new menu directly targets this lucrative market.

4.       Scalability Like Chipotle’s Early Days – When Chipotle expanded from a single format (burritos) to lifestyle bowls, it unlocked exponential growth. Robeks’ pivot into handheld foods shows similar scalability potential.

5.       Experience + Convenience = Loyalty – Starbucks proved that app-enabled convenience, loyalty points, and food innovation can anchor growth for decades. Robeks is building the same “ecosystem” with Robeks Rewards and delivery partnerships.

 

Five Ways Robeks Innovation Garners Attention from Gen Z & Millennials

1.       Instagram-Worthy Menu – Colorful açaí bowls and layered smoothies mirror the success of brands like Pressed Juicery, which saw social media engagement boost in-store sales by 25%.

2.       Plant-Forward Commitment – Much like Sweetgreen’s “Food That Fits Your Values” campaign, Robeks builds credibility with younger consumers by offering transparent, sustainable, and plant-based items.

3.       Value + Premium Quality – With menu prices under $7, Robeks mirrors the success of Taco Bell’s “value-meets-experience” strategy, which keeps younger consumers loyal despite inflation.

4.       Mobile-First Access – Starbucks’ loyalty app accounts for over 30% of U.S. transactions. Robeks Rewards is modeled to capture the same mobile-first generation.

5.       Lifestyle Integration – Harmonious Bites align with “athleisure dining,” a trend where fitness and food overlap. Think Barry’s Bootcamp + Erewhon partnerships — Robeks has the menu and convenience to serve this crowd.

 

Grocerant Guru® Takeaway

Robeks has gone beyond being a smoothie concept; it is carving out a leadership position in the grocerant niche by layering portable, premium, and plant-forward options onto a foundation of functional beverages. With food-away-from-home spending at over 55% of total U.S. food dollars (USDA, 2024) and snacking replacing traditional meals, Robeks is tapping into macro-consumer shifts that have long legs.

Just as Chipotle, Starbucks, and Sweetgreen leveraged menu innovation + digital convenience to scale, Robeks is on track to become the next breakout brand for health-conscious, time-starved consumers.

Success Leaves Clues—Are You Ready to Find Yours?

One key insight that continues to drive success is this: "The consumer is dynamic, not static." This principle is the foundation of our work at Foodservice Solutions®, where Steven Johnson, the Grocerant Guru®, has been helping brands stay relevant in an ever-evolving market.

Want to strengthen your brand’s connection with today’s consumers? Let’s talk. Call 253-759-7869 for more information.

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Is your food marketing keeping up with tomorrow’s trends—or stuck in yesterday’s playbook? If you're ready for fresh ideations that set your brand apart, we’re here to help.

At Foodservice Solutions®, we specialize in consumer-driven retail food strategies that enhance convenience, differentiation, and individualization—key factors in driving growth.

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