Marks & Spencer Faces Backlash Over £2.65 Sliced Cucumber Pots

Marks & Spencer is facing criticism for selling pre-sliced cucumber portions for £2.65, a move perceived by some customers as an attempt to profit from a popular social media trend. The retailer's "Shake-A-Cucumber" pots, which include a dressing, mimic a salad-in-a-jar craze circulating on TikTok.

Customers have accused the company of excessive price inflation, noting that whole cucumbers, which contain a comparable amount of produce, are available for a significantly lower price of 75p. This represents a 228% markup on the vegetable's raw cost when sold in the convenience pots.

Online reactions highlighted consumer frustration. "It takes a minute to cut up a cucumber and put it in a bag," one Facebook user commented. Another expressed disbelief at the perceived laziness, stating, "Tell me people aren't so lazy now that they can't cut up a cucumber." A third suggested a simple alternative: "Just slice your own and put it in some sour cream and dill."

This practice is not isolated to Marks & Spencer. Similar markups on pre-prepared fruits and vegetables have been observed at other retailers. For instance, Co-op was found to be selling mango chunks at a 227% premium compared to a whole fruit, and Tesco's grape pots were priced 210% higher than a standard bunch.

Consumer champion Martyn James described such offerings as a "lazy tax" and potentially a "foolish tax," urging consumers to prepare their own produce or consider frozen options. He also pointed out the unnecessary use of plastic packaging.

In response, Marks & Spencer stated that the "Feeling Spicy Shake-A-Cucumber" was developed in response to customer demand for healthy, on-the-go snacking options and has become a bestseller and a viral hit.