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M&S in HMRC row over Wimbledon strawberry and cream sandwich
M&S in HMRC row over Wimbledon strawberry and cream sandwich

Glasgow Times

time2 days ago

  • Business
  • Glasgow Times

M&S in HMRC row over Wimbledon strawberry and cream sandwich

Under HMRC rules, most cold food, including sandwiches, is zero rated for VAT, but many sweet treats are counted as luxuries, and the 20 per cent levy is added - and must be paid to HMRC by businesses. The £2.80 'game-changing' limited edition Red Diamond Strawberry & Creme Sandwich is filled with the fruit and light whipped cream cheese on fluffy sweetened bread, the retailer said. And that's where the issue gets tricky, says Rachel Harris, on her Instagram account accountant_she: "Most food, including sandwiches, is zero rated for VAT, meaning that we as customers don't pay VAT, and the businesses who sell them get better margins by keeping the sales prices low. "But some food becomes taxable if it's classified as non essential, and this is things like confectionery and biscuits. So M&S are arguing that because it is packed like a sandwich, filled like a sandwich and is marketed like a sandwich, it is a sandwich, and so it should be zero rated for VAT. "HMRC says something counts as confectionary when it is sweet and eaten with your fingers. So the tax experts are arguing that the bread is actually sweetened and it's eaten with your fingers and is therefore confectionary, which should have 20% of VAT included in the price. "So we will be seeing this argument between M&S and HMRC in court." M&S said its latest creation was inspired by Japanese 'sweet sandos', or fruit sandwiches. M&S said: 'Inspired by the Japanese sweet sandos, recently spotted popping up in London's trendiest Japanese patisseries, our product developers have long dreamed of creating a dessert sandwich. 'With our exclusive Red Diamond Strawberries at their juiciest best, the time has finally come to create the ultimate strawberries and creme experience. More M&S news: 'From alfresco lunches, afternoon tea at home, summer picnics, courtside snack breaks or a sweet afternoon pick me up, the Red Diamond Strawberries & Creme Sandwich is your go-to summer indulgence, wherever, whenever. M&S Food first sold freshly made sandwiches in the 1920s, and expanded sales with pre-packed sandwiches in the 1980s. The retailer's food halls have sold four billion sandwiches to date.

I tried the M&S strawberry and cream sandwich and have one recommendation
I tried the M&S strawberry and cream sandwich and have one recommendation

Wales Online

time6 days ago

  • Entertainment
  • Wales Online

I tried the M&S strawberry and cream sandwich and have one recommendation

I tried the M&S strawberry and cream sandwich and have one recommendation Marks & Spencer's new strawberries and cream sandwich is perhaps its most unusual yet, combining ingredients you wouldn't normally see in a sarnie M&S' new sandwich is inspired by a popular Japanese dessert (Image: Billy Labrum/Reach PLC ) Marks & Spencer's latest sandwich offering might just be one of its most unique concoctions to date. It's safe to say that the sweetened sandwich had some mixed reviews. The packet only includes half a round of sandwich, and offers strawberries in a filling made of creme fraiche and sweetened full-fat soft cheese. The bread is a kid of sweetened brioche rather than normal sandwich loaf. And it turns out that some people are absolutely in love with it, while others thing the superstore has lost its mind. ‌ M&S says its Red Diamond Strawberry & Creme Sandwich is inspired by a Japanese fruit sando, a type of sweetened sandwich that has become popular in Japan. ‌ Express reporter Brian Dillon decided to give it a go himself and although he loved the first few bites, he felt very differently by the end and recommends anyone wanting to experience a Japanese fruit sando should head to a proper Japanese cafe or bakery instead. He writes: "I decided to try it and I enjoyed the first few bites - but I felt quite different by the end. "The supermarket's limited edition Red Diamond Strawberry & Creme Sandwich has hit shelves across the country ahead of Wimbledon, and shoppers might be surprised to find it amongst other lunchtime staples. Article continues below "M&S describes it as a "game-changing" treat inspired by Japanese desserts. I first looked for it in the dessert fridge but it was nowhere to be found. For the latest restaurant news and reviews, sign up to our food and drink newsletter here "Once I headed to get my usual lunch sandwich, there it was amongst the chicken Caesar wraps and prawn mayo sandwiches. I was apprehensive. "A dessert sandwich isn't something I dream about. When it came to the first bite, what struck me was how rich it was. The sandwich consists of strawberries, crème fraîche and sweetened full-fat soft cheese. The first bite was immensely sweet, and it was delightful. ‌ Express reporter Brian Dillon trying the new, limited edition sandwich (Image: Billy Labrum/Reach PLC ) "As for the bread, it was an experience on its own. A brioche-style bun provided the spongey vessel necessary for such a delectable dessert sandwich. "The bread was certainly interesting. The brioche-style bun was spongy, the only kind of bread you could have used for a dessert like this. ‌ "While the first bite was scrumptious, it got less enjoyable the more I ate it. As you can imagine, thick slices of brioche-style bread with a generous helping of cream proved to be a lot to digest. I was very full afterwards, despite how small this treat actually looks. By the end, it was quite sickly. "Kudos go to M&S for the fresh strawberries inside. "At £2.80, I wasn't expecting the fruit to be this plump. In fact, all of the ingredients were delightful, and each tasted like high-quality M&S stuff. But when all of it is put together into a sandwich, it becomes too much quite quickly. ‌ "I'm glad to have had it and I would recommend trying it yourself, even if you want to eat it in a couple of goes. But would I buy it again? There are things in life I'm happy to experience just once. My advice: share it to avoid an uncomfortably full tummy. "The sandwich is a limited edition, so it is available for a short time. I think you should get your hands on it while you can. "The dessert is inspired by Japanese Sandos, which are sweet sandwiches, so it's a great introduction to a new dessert that is gaining some traction in the UK. Article continues below "However, I reckon it might be best to go to a Japanese café or bakery to try the real deal rather than your local M&S!"

I tried the new M&S strawberry sandwich fans ‘can't stop thinking about'
I tried the new M&S strawberry sandwich fans ‘can't stop thinking about'

Metro

time6 days ago

  • Entertainment
  • Metro

I tried the new M&S strawberry sandwich fans ‘can't stop thinking about'

M&S has launched a limited-edition dessert sandwich that has sent shoppers into a frenzy — and it's being declared a 'game-changer'. According to the retailer, the Red Diamond Strawberry & Creme Sandwich features 'the UK's sweetest strawberries' with whipped cream cheese on fluffy sweetened bread. Inspired by Japanese 'sweet sandos' — fruit-filled sandwiches dished out in Tokyo cafes and London patisseries — it's designed to be this year's go-to summer sweet and costs £2.80. Filled with M&S's 'plump' and 'juicy' strawberries, it may look and taste like a dessert, but shoppers will find it in the regular savoury sandwich section. And, despite it being a slightly baffling creation, fans are already obsessed. 'Is it socially acceptable to go to my local store and buy all of them,' Kristine Kolodziejski said under an M&S Facebook post of the treat. 'I can't stop thinking about this sweet sandwich since I saw it advertised. I shall be trying one this weekend,' Rhonda Arnold added. One TikTok user, @emiiyjade, described the sandwich as 'perfect', saying it's 'the best thing they've ever released.' But does it live up to the hype? Metro's specialist food writer Courtney Pochin gave it a go to see what all the fuss is about. 'I'm not usually a fan of a pre-packaged sandwich as they're usually sad and soggy, but this one might just be an exception to the rule,' she says. 'It's a super fun twist on the classic summer pairing and makes for a quirky lunch or dessert. 'The bread is soft and just the right amount of sweet, there's a generous amount of creamy filling and the strawberries not only add a wonderful pop of colour, they hold their own. I was very impressed they hadn't turned mushy while sitting in so much cream cheese. 'I did find the berries to be quite sharp, but this does offset some of the sweetness, so not a total negative.' Courtney adds that her 'only other criticism' is that she 'kept wishing it could be a cake sandwich instead'. Perhaps something for M&S to look into down the line… 'Overall, I think this is a great novelty purchase, but it's not anything groundbreaking (after all, it is just bread, cream cheese and strawberries),' adds Courntey. 'Anyone who claims it's the best thing they've ever eaten is probably just overhyping it for social media likes.' More Trending So, there you have it. If you want to find out for yourself, the treat is only on shelves for a limited time, and no doubt they'll be flying into baskets. For a 'full fruity experience' M&S recommends pairing it with its new Collection Red Diamond Strawberry Lemonade. You can buy a one litre bottle for £3.50. The supermarket describes it as a 'refreshing new twist on a classic summer favourite'. Do you have a story to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@ View More » MORE: 12 ways to spend London Pride 2025 including a day party with a performance from Nadine Coyle MORE: McVitie's launches new 79p chocolate bar inspired by 80s lunchbox classic MORE: M&S is the official tailor of the England Football team and we're obsessed with the latest formalwear Your free newsletter guide to the best London has on offer, from drinks deals to restaurant reviews.

The inspiration behind M&S's ‘game-changing' new sandwich
The inspiration behind M&S's ‘game-changing' new sandwich

The Independent

time7 days ago

  • Business
  • The Independent

The inspiration behind M&S's ‘game-changing' new sandwich

Marks & Spencer has launched a new limited edition dessert sandwich, the Red Diamond Strawberry & Creme Sandwich. Priced at £2.80, the 'game-changing' sandwich features Red Diamond strawberries and light whipped cream cheese on sweetened bread. Its creation was inspired by Japanese"sweet sandos" or fruit sandwiches, which have recently gained popularity in London. M&S promotes the sandwich as a versatile summer indulgence, suitable for various occasions from picnics to afternoon tea. This new offering continues M&S's long history with sandwiches, having sold billions since their introduction in the 1920s.

M&S launches dessert sandwich filled with strawberries and cream
M&S launches dessert sandwich filled with strawberries and cream

Yahoo

time25-06-2025

  • Business
  • Yahoo

M&S launches dessert sandwich filled with strawberries and cream

Marks & Spencer has launched a dessert sandwich filled with strawberries and cream. The £2.80 'game-changing' limited edition Red Diamond Strawberry & Creme Sandwich is filled with the fruit and light whipped cream cheese on fluffy sweetened bread, the retailer said. M&S said its latest creation was inspired by Japanese 'sweet sandos', or fruit sandwiches. M&S said: 'Inspired by the Japanese sweet sandos, recently spotted popping up in London's trendiest Japanese patisseries, our product developers have long dreamed of creating a dessert sandwich. 'With our exclusive Red Diamond Strawberries at their juiciest best, the time has finally come to create the ultimate strawberries and creme experience. 'From alfresco lunches, afternoon tea at home, summer picnics, courtside snack breaks or a sweet afternoon pick me up, the Red Diamond Strawberries & Creme Sandwich is your go-to summer indulgence, wherever, whenever. M&S Food first sold freshly made sandwiches in the 1920s, and expanded sales with pre-packed sandwiches in the 1980s. The retailer's food halls have sold four billion sandwiches to date. Sign in to access your portfolio

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