· By Oonagh Simms
The Marshmallowist x M&S
We’re now stocked in Marks and Spencer’s and here’s how it happened! A little behind the curtain for you today as I share how a small brand from Leeds can end up being in stocked by one of the most loved British stores nationwide.
Look, first of all, it takes a while. Mother’s Day 2025 has been in planning for over 18 months. Yup. When we first got the call to create a marshmallow for Marks and Spencer we couldn’t believe it. We’ve been here for 12 years waiting for this sort of attention.We chatted flavour profiles, created samples, presented packaging options, gave their team a kitchen demo, Months of back and forth. Then it went a bit quiet. Uh oh. Had we done something wrong? Was it something we said?
Now, as with many industries its not unusual to put a pitch forward and lose it at the last minute but we felt sure we’d hit it off with them we couldn’t bear to be ghosted by our favourite shop. They sent an email saying it wasn’t a ‘no’ that they were just looking at a ‘different direction’ which I definitely thought was business speak for
‘let’s just be friends’
But turns out the ‘different direction' was better than we could have ever imagined. No, they didn’t want us to make them a marshmallow. They wanted to bring our own Marshmallowist boxes into their stores. And not only that, they wanted our Raspberry and Champagne marshmallows to be the confectionery star of their Mother’s Day 2025 campaign! A photoshoot, banners in store, nation-wide shelf space. Which is business speak for
‘will you marry me’
So, this week we launched in M&S with our bestselling flavour. Crafted from fresh raspberry puree and rosé champagne our pretty in pink boxes are now pride of place on their shelves- it’s truly a ‘pinch me’ moment. And as a Mother’s Day gift its probably the best one I could ever give to my own mum who is barely ever out of the M&S at Guisely retail park- can you imagine the bragging that happens at that till? She’s already bought 5 boxes! So, please, if you see them in your store do me a favour and treat someone you love to them. Or treat yourself. Or, just send me a picture of them!
I have just eaten the raspberry and champagne marshmallows OMG how delicious, they were fluffy and flavoursome. I will definitely be trying your other flavours, keep do what you do because your product is awesome!!😊
Dawn on
I’ve bought raspberry and champagne marshmallows as birthday gifts , they’re gorgeous and beautifully packaged. For mothers day I treated myself to the teacakes. They were absolutely gorgeous, extremely tasty and again divine to look at and beautifully packaged.
Lynne Fletcher on
had some given me on mother’sday,really delicious,will look forward to buying some more
pam shrimpton on
Received a box of raspberry & champagne as a mothers day gift, they are so special and absolutely exquisite !!
Deborah Shelton on
Hi Oonagh I was so pleased to see your marshmallows on the shelf at M&S white rose today just had to text you to tell you- congratulations !!!! I hope you’re keeping well. I have a picture I was going to text you but think you may have changed your number if you’d like it let me know the best way to send it you! take care Lottie
Charlotte Shaw on