M&S’s Christmas food to order CRASHES just five hours after opening as hundreds race to grab a slot

MARKS & Spencer’s Christmas Food to Order service “crashed just five hours after opening” as shoppers rushed to bag a slot. Customers had a problem amending their orders due to issues with the system. The Marks & Spencer Christmas Food to Order system crashed just hours after it went live Credit: M&S M&S shoppers have already faced issues with the supermarket’s Christmas Food to Order system, a mere five hours after it went live. While customers were able to book their slots and complete their shopping, comments online revealed that there was a problem with amending orders – although this has now been resolved. Sign up for the Money newsletter Thank you! A user on Instagram wrote: “Hi! I got the confirmation email for booking my slot but when I log in to amend it, it says there are no orders to display! Is it normal to have delay?” Another asked: “Can you add to your order?” On Facebook a shopper said that they had “just done mine but need to amend it and I can’t do it yet”, with another jumping in to say “same”. Another shopper jumped in to inform users that “there’s an issue with the system”. “I called customer services and they confirmed that,” the customer continued. “They said lots of customers complained, so they’re dealing with it. Trying to sort it by end of day.” An M&S spokesperson told The Sun: “There was a short delay for a small number of customers viewing and amending their orders following high traffic to the Christmas Food to Order website this morning – this has now been resolved’ Most read in Money What is M&S Christmas Food to Order? M&S Christmas Food to Order is an online system which allows shoppers to pre-order all their Christmas food and pick it up at stores in the days leading up to Christmas. The Percy Pig maker also revealed that this year marks its “biggest festive range yet” with over 100 centrepieces, desserts and dishes to choose from. It’s also the first time the retail giant has launched its own curated wine list to pair with all its Christmas food, which can be easily added to the order. Customers will also spot this year’s food magazine now available in stores, which boasts the full catalogue of festive feasting to browse through. Shoppers had the date lined up in their calendars, with many taking to social media to confirm they had booked their slot in the early hours. “Did mine as it open[ed], I think it was 5am,” said one shopper. “Did mine at 5.40 this morning,” shared another. Customers who used the service last year have been reminded that the store they previously collected from may not still be available this year, so it’s worth double-checking your stores before placing your order. How do I complete my M&S Christmas food order? Firstly, you must book a slot for picking up your order at a selected M&S store, as well as a half-hour time window to collect your shopping in. Next, it’s time to shop through the range, featuring turkeys, beef, party food and desserts. All orders must reach a minimum value of £50, and require a non-refundable £50 deposit to be paid at checkout. Once your order is submitted, that’s it for now – and you can crack on with a long list of other Christmas chores knowing your food is being sorted. However, if you change your mind, don’t panic – all orders, collection stores and time slots can be amended. All you need to do is log back into your account to access your order details or call the M&S Contact Centre team. You’ll pick up your order on your selected date between December 22-24, where you must pay the outstanding balance for your shop. Your shop will be waiting at the Christmas Food collection point in your chosen store and you’ll need to bring either a digital or paper copy of your order confirmation. If you’ve ordered the new curated wine collection as part of your order, the supermarket does operate a Challenge 25 policy, so it’s advisable to bring ID. Comment now