Inside M&S At Christmas | Preview (ITV1)

For the first time ever, M&S has granted full access to ITV to go behind the scenes with colleagues and suppliers at every level, from the farm to the factory and the shop floor as the all-important and crucial Christmas countdown begins.

We’ll meet game changing product developers, passionate store colleagues, key suppliers and of course some happy customers, all working together to create what M&S hopes will be its most magical Christmas yet.

At Newcastle’s Silverlink store we follow enthusiastic manager Rob, marshalling his troops to get the food and drink section ready for Christmas while in the bustling Clapham branch, deputy manager Daniel prepares the store for what he believes will be their busiest Christmas ever.

We revisit both stores throughout the film to see how the colleagues are coping and which products are flying off the shelves.

At the company’s headquarters, the M&S product developers have been working on unique innovations that will draw in the crowds this Christmas. One in four turkeys in the UK are bought in Marks & Spencer and this year Matt is gambling on an easy cook Turkey that can be out of the oven in as little as one hour.

Meanwhile, Beth is banking on her delicious sprout gratin converting even the most ardent sprout haters – of which she is one – but will her three cheese combination win the family over?

Passionate suppliers are crucial to keeping M&S on top at Christmas. On the beautiful west coast of Scotland, we meet Highlands based fish smoker Roy who believes his unique two-smoke process is the key to creating the best smoked salmon in the world. In Ireland, Lir chocolates are working with M&S product developer Katy on a light up chocolate box that has been in development for over a year. We follow Katy visiting the factory for a crucial visit to test out the chocolates and meet charismatic manager Alan who has to fulfil this massive order which includes over a million individual chocolates being hand sprayed.

In North Wales, larger than life product developer Harry visits bakers Floss and Lucas to check on how his idea of a Christmas sourdough bread is coming along and at the company HQ we meet Alice who is overseeing this year’s luxury Christmas sandwich.

Meanwhile in a top-secret location, M&S is in production for its highly anticipated Christmas 2022 TV advert. Mixing the iconic food porn with fun, festive animation and a real-life rescue dog called Wylie who is a star in the making. Will it be a Christmas hit? Inside M&S at Christmas offers unprecedented and incredible access to every element of the Mark & Spencer food operation as it strives to make this Christmas the most magical and delicious festive period in their 137-year history.

Airs Wednesday 21st December at 9pm on ITV1.