Marks & Spencer has added a Marmite‑infused caramel sauce to its seasonal range, a move that has divided shoppers as the retailer begins restocking more than 400 new items for the festive period.
The product, sold as "Caramel Sauce & Marmite," is described by M&S as a “bold blend of smooth caramel and Marmite” that produces a "rich, umami‑laced sauce." The 310g squeezy bottle is priced at £3 and was due to arrive on store shelves on Sept. 10. M&S also introduced bakery items containing the yeast extract, including Pecan and Salted Caramel Blondies that incorporate a hint of Marmite and are sold for £5.
The launch prompted immediate online reaction after an Instagram account, NewFoodsUK, shared an image of the new sauce. Responses ranged from enthusiasm to revulsion. One commenter wrote, “Amazing, basically miso caramel,” while another said, “What the f**k this sounds delicious.” Others called the idea “repulsive” or an “abomination,” and some questioned the trend of adding Marmite to unconventional products.
A Marks & Spencer spokesperson told Metro: “Whether you love it or hate it, you have to try it. Trust us, it works. Drizzle over toast, waffles or croissants – your brunch game is about to be taken next level.” Product literature from M&S suggests drizzling the sauce over ice cream or using it as a dip for churros.
The Marmite addition is part of a broader seasonal rollout by the British retailer, which this year included a variety of sweet and savoury releases. Among the other items announced were Peppermint Bark (£10), Peanut Butter Reindeer (£1), Shortbread Christmas Trees (£1.65), Chocolate and Cinnamon Tortilla Rolls (£3), Maple Bacon Combo Mix crisps (£2.30) and the return of internet‑popular Gingerbread and White Chocolate cookies that drew strong social media attention last year.
Earlier in the year, M&S expanded its bakery range by introducing Lamington cakes, a treat with origins in Australia that is not widely available on the British high street. The retailer made two variations available: a Chocolate and Coconut Lamington—chocolate sponge coated in chocolate and rolled in coconut with piped jam and buttercream—and a Caramelised Biscuit Lamington, which pairs chocolate sponge with a caramelised biscuit crumb, buttercream and salted caramel. Those Lamingtons were sold in packs of two for £4.
Retailers have in recent years experimented with more polarising flavour combinations in limited‑edition or seasonal ranges, and Marmite, a yeast extract spread known for its distinctive savoury flavour, is frequently used in products aimed at consumers who favour umami‑forward tastes. Marks & Spencer’s use of Marmite in both a squeezy caramel sauce and baked goods continues that trend.
M&S did not disclose sales forecasts for the Marmite caramel sauce or the Marmite‑laced blondies. The product descriptions and the promotional messaging from the retailer emphasize trying the item in both sweet and savoury contexts, framing it as an unconventional addition rather than a mainstream staple.
Customers will find the Marmite caramel sauce and the bakery items alongside the rest of M&S’s seasonal offering in stores and online as the retailer rolls out its autumn and winter food range. Social media commentary and early reactions suggest the product will be polarising among shoppers, with supporters pointing to novel umami combinations and detractors objecting to what they regard as an incongruous pairing.