Breaking its 125 years old tradition Marks & Spencer is will start selling branded grocery products such as Nescafe and Persil in its stores. Some 400 of the best-known big brands will go on to shelves following the success of two small trials.

The move to stock other brands comes as M&S tries to be seen as a store to use for a full weekly shop, rather than the occasional source of a few luxury meals. It is also seen as the prelude to the launch of an internet grocery shopping operation. The range of branded grocery products includes Coca-Cola, Marmite, Kelloggs and Heinz. Household products will include Fairy, Pantene and Persil.