CHOC SHOCK
‘It’s a tradition!’ Quality Street quietly axes Christmas favourite – and it’s already vanished from stores
This change means your Christmas gifting won't have the same personal touch as before
QUALITY Street fans are up in arms after learning that the brand has discontinued a cherished Christmas favourite.
Customers can no longer visit their local John Lewis store to create personalised Quality Street tins.
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The service allowed shoppers to purchase a £17 tin with a personalised gift card and lid.
They could then fill these tins with their favourite Quality Street chocolates from dedicated pick-and-mix counters at John Lewis.
However, while the pick-and-mix counters still exist, shoppers can't get a personalised Quality Street tin this winter, according to a Quality Street post on X (formerly Twitter).
Instead, they must opt for the £12 non-customised version.
READ MORE ON QUALITY STREET
Reacting to the news on X, one person said: "Took my personalised quality street tin for a refill at John Lewis, Oxford Street and wanted to get a few personalised tins as presents, but they're not doing it anymore."
Another said: "No personalised tins of Quality Street this year - it's a tradition - please bring it back."
Responding to the comments on X, a Quality Street representative said: "While we are unable to offer personalisation this year, you can still get your hands on the beautiful limited-edition Christmas 2024 tin at John Lewis.
A John Lewis spokesperson added: "While we no longer sell personalised name tins, fans can get the beautiful, limited-edition Christmas 2024 option.
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"We've also introduced pouches with messages to suit special occasions, like 'Quality Christmas'."
Nestle, launched a new version of its 813g Quality Street tin in September.
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The £12 tub features all the usual classic flavours and plays on Quality Street's Halifax heritage - where it was first manufactured in 1936 and still is.
However, it can also be purchased empty and filled at any of John Lewis' Quality Street pick and mix stations.
If you're not fussed about the nostalgic tin or picking your chocolates, you'll pay less for a different tub or packet.
Shoppers can pick up a plastic 600g tub from Tesco for £6 - £1 per 100g.
You can also pick up a 357g sharing bag of Quality Street from B&M for just £4 - £1.12 per 100g.
So, where can I find the pick & mix stations?
Shoppers can create their own bespoke collection of Quality Street favourites to take home, or gift, this Christmas at the pick and mix stations.
These will be located at the following John Lewis stores:
- Bluewater
- Cambridge
- Cardiff
- Cheadle
- Cribbs Causeway
- Edinburgh
- Glasgow
- High Wycombe
- Kingston
- Leeds
- Leicester
- Liverpool
- Milton Keynes
- Newcastle
- Nottingham
- Oxford Street
- Peter Jones (Sloane Square)
- Solihull
- Southampton
- Trafford
Nestle has also brought back a Quality Street fan-favourite for the second Christmas in a row.
The coffee creme flavour chocolate was last seen in Quality Street tubs over 20 years ago until the chocolatier reintroduced it last year.
Instead, the coffee-flavour fondant wrapped in dark chocolate has joined the 11 other Quality Street sweets at pick-and-mix stations across selected John Lewis stores in the UK.
They are also available in a limited-edition cracker at Waitrose and John Lewis stores for £5.50.
Paper tub trial
For the first time ever, Nestle is launching paper Quality Street tubs.
The tubs are available at 60 Tesco supermarkets.
Their introduction is part of a trial, and Nestle will gauge the product's popularity among shoppers.
It claims the paper tub, adorned in the signature Quality Street purple, boasts a luxurious design and feel.
They feature a "re-close" mechanism that ensures the lid can be securely sealed even after opening.
This isn't the first time Quality Street has introduced new packaging to make the festive favourites easier to recycle.
Nestle left shoppers outraged when it changed the Quality Street chocolate wrappers for the same reason in October 2022.
The iconic brightly coloured plastic and foil wrappers that had encased its famous chocolates for 86 years were replaced with a more understated form of waxed paper.
Since then, shoppers have flocked to X (formerly Twitter) to express their dismay at the loss of the treat's iconic shiny wrapping, criticising the new look as "cheap" and vowing to switch to the brand's competitors.
One shopper said: "I'm sorry, but they're cheap-looking and depressing. They reek of war-time austerity."
"With food, presentation is important, and the sparkle has gone from Quality Street."
The introduction of new paper tubs does not signal the immediate discontinuation of plastic and metal Quality Street tins.
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Shoppers can still buy 600g plastic tubs of Quality Street chocolates at most major supermarkets.
Tins containing over 800g of the festive chocolates continue to be available too.
How to save money on Christmas shopping
Consumer reporter Sam Walker reveals how you can save money on your Christmas shopping.
Limit the amount of presents - buying presents for all your family and friends can cost a bomb.
Instead, why not organise a Secret Santa between your inner circles so you're not having to buy multiple presents.
Plan ahead - if you've got the stamina and budget, it's worth buying your Christmas presents for the following year in the January sales.
Make sure you shop around for the best deals by using price comparison sites so you're not forking out more than you should though.
Buy in Boxing Day sales - some retailers start their main Christmas sales early so you can actually snap up a bargain before December 25.
Delivery may cost you a bit more, but it can be worth it if the savings are decent.
Shop via outlet stores - you can save loads of money shopping via outlet stores like Amazon Warehouse or Office Offcuts.
They work by selling returned or slightly damaged products at a discounted rate, but usually any wear and tear is minor.
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