Copyright manchestereveningnews
Customers are outraged after spotting the cost of a Marks and Spencer Christmas turkey in its seasonal food brochure. Numerous people regard Christmas dinner as the highlight of the festive period. There's considerable pressure on the person preparing Christmas dinner , particularly regarding cooking and presenting a turkey. Some households splash out enormous sums on a turkey to feed scores of guests, whilst others might be attempting to control expenses and opt for a frozen supermarket option. However, when one Reddit user flicked through the M&S Christmas food catalogue and discovered a turkey advertised for £150, they couldn't resist expressing their anger. The bird is priced at £33.33 per kilogram and weighs 4.5kg. They remarked: "I am wrong in thinking that £150 for a single Turkey is a ludicrous price?". The product description stated: "Free to roam on cherry orchards and meadows, this exceptional festive centrepiece has been slower-grown for tenderness and then dry hung for up to 10 days to intensify its rich, complex flavour. Hand-prepared by our butchers, it includes giblets to use in your own stocks and gravies." Hundreds of individuals responded to the shopper's question, with a carvery owner offering insight into the pricing. They explained: "I run a carvery for a living, the price of wholesale turkey has gone up but that is a big turkey at 14kg, ours are around £30 for a 5kg which is direct from a butchers, means they are marking up around £60. Last year Morrisons were selling similar sized ones for £120 I think." Another person commented: "For that price I would want the turkey to have been blessed by the Pope, and have had the best foods whilst it was alive." Someone else remarked: "I think perception of what things should cost is skewed by the four quid supermarket chicken you can get that can't possibly have been raised well, or for long. Don't get me wrong, 150 quid is definitely a brand tax too, but we're all aware of that sort of mark up." A further contributor said: "I'd argue this bird is a little overpriced for an equivalent product. I can get a 5kg bronze turkey for £110 from a butcher I trust - having had it before I can't imagine for a second this one is £40 worth better, but maybe it is. Ultimately if you go to a supermarket you are paying some costs towards advertising, rents etc." One more person observed: "It is silly. Personally I'm not the biggest fan of turkey. Yes, I know how to cook, yes I know how to make it juicy, but it's just not worth the effort, for what is a pretty boring meat. I always just get several chickens, which works out cheaper and simpler." One individual humorously commented: "That's not just any Turkey, that's a perfect every time Marks and Spencer's turkey." Numerous shoppers leapt to the defence of M&S, highlighting that there are various price points available in every supermarket or butcher's shop. One shopper said: "Yeah to honest, you are wrong - it's sort of reverse elitism. Turkeys. like most things, come in different grades to suit different budgets, just like cars. Just because something's out of your (or my) price range doesn't make it ridiculous. "There are literally cheaper options on the same page, and of course other shops will have lower grade birds too. I don't think Marks plan to sell millions of them, but £15 - £18 per serving, for what sounds like a really tasty turkey doesn't seem that crazy to some. It sounds absolutely bloody delicious." Another added: "That is a specialty bird designed for people who don't even look at price tags. In our unequal world, there are plenty of people who are like this. Gold leaf on their steak for £250 anyone? Plenty!".
