The images in this resource represent a snapshot of how food has been developed at M&S over the years - some of the highlights are listed below and you can download the full timeline (in either PowerPoint or PDF format) from the 'Resources' section.
1884 - Penny Bazaars sell basic food items, such as flour, spices and confectionery
1948 - Self-service food shopping was introduced, and it completely revolutionised food retail spaces, with customers selecting their own food from open shelving
1960s/1970s - Technology comes to the forefront, with fresh chilled chicken going on sale in newly installed chilled cabinets, and a range of frozen foods being developed
1972 - 'Sell-by' dates added to food wrappers. These are adopted by other retailers and eventually become a legal requirement
1974 - Foil-wrapped, boil-in-the-bag, 'convenience foods' such as Ravioli, are introduced - a radical alternative to frozen or canned meals
1993 - Percy Pigs launched (over one billion have now been sold)
2004 - The first 'this is not just food' television advert is aired, and one of the most iconic adverts from this campaign featured the Melt in the Middle Chocolate Pudding.
Glossary
Confectionery - food items such as sweets, cakes and chocolates
Iconic - very famous or popular
Radical - very new and different from what is ordinary
Revolutionised - changed something in a big way
Revolutionised - changed something in a big way