M&S shoppers gutted after ‘best ever’ Colin Caterpillar Xmas decoration sells out & is going for TWICE the price on eBay
SHOPPERS have been left devastated after a popular Colin the Caterpillar Christmas decoration has sold out online – and is now being listed for more than double the price on eBay.
Marks & Spencer launched the £5 decoration earlier this month and it was quickly snapped up by shoppers who have branded it the best.
The hand-painted glass decoration is designed to look just like the Mini Colin the Caterpillar cakes, and is painted with Colin’s signature white face and milk chocolate beans.
The 8cm-long ornament is unavailable online but shoppers can enter their contact details to be notified when it comes back into stock.
Fans took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) after being unable to find the must-have decoration online or in store.
One shopper said: “Do you have a link? I can’t find it. Hope it’s not already sold out”.
While another added: “Well it’s already sold out.”
Popular TV presenter Kirstie Allsopp even voiced her frustration after being unable to get her hands on the beautiful decoration.
In a tweet directly to the supermarket she said: “Dear @marksandspencer I’ve being told these are sold out already. Please reassure me that this is not the case. Thank you & Merry Christmas.”
The Sun can exclusively reveal the ornament is due back in store and online from October 12, but you’ll need to be quick as Marks & Spencer said it is expected to sell out quickly again.
Desperate shoppers are now turning to eBay to get their hands on the bauble.
Other customers are making extra cash by flogging the decorations for around £10.99 on the secondhand website.
One cheeky shopper even sold one of the ornaments for £12 plus £3.39 postage just five days ago.
This was the highest price seen by The Sun on eBay.
Shoppers seem eager to get hold of the festive item for themselves.
One described the item on X as the “best thing ever”, while another added “need one of those”.
Colin the Caterpillar vs Cuthbert the Caterpillar
MARKS & Spencer has called a truce with Aldi over Colin the Caterpillar cake.
The upmarket supermarket and discount chain were locked in a legal battle after Aldi started selling a cake called Cuthbert the Caterpillar which looked similar to the M&S creation.
They reached a confidential agreement out of court on November 5, it has now emerged.
The companies have not disclosed the terms of the settlement – but both cakes will still be sold.
An Aldi spokesperson said: “Cuthbert is free and looking forward to seeing all his fans again very soon!”
An M&S spokesperson said: “The objective of the claim was to protect the IP in our Colin the Caterpillar cake and we are very pleased with the outcome.”
The high street retailer started selling the famous Colin cake more than 30 years ago and its design has been largely unchanged since 2004.
The only exception is during seasonal events such as Halloween, Christmas and Easter, when M&S launches temporary new designs.
Colin is made of chocolate sponge and buttercream, covered in a chocolate shell, and costs £7.
Aldi launched its copycat Cuthbert cake in 2019 for £4.99.
Most supermarkets now have their own version, including Waitrose’s Cecil, Charlie at the Co-op, and Tesco’s Curly cake.
Nearly 40 of the decorations of the beloved brown caterpillar have already been sold on eBay this month.
The Colin the Caterpillar chocolate log was first created by Marks & Spencer in 1990 and has since sold more than 15 million cakes.
Since then the iconic insect has been used on a variety of products including slippers, hot water bottles and pet toys.
The supermarket chain has launched several Christmas decorations of its beloved characters including a Percy Pig Christmas Tree Topper and Spencer Bear decoration.
There are also several other glass ornaments in its Christmas collection this year, including a tractor hanging decoration and three pack London skyline series.
A Marks & Spencer spokesman said: “It comes as no surprise that our brand new Colin the Caterpillar Cake Christmas Tree Decoration is HUGELY popular with our customers.
“Considering Colin attends over a MILLION birthdays per year, it was a no-brainer to get a replica of the nation’s much-loved caterpillar cake hanging on Christmas tree’s across the UK this festive season.”
What other Christmas decorations do M&S sell?
Marks & Spencer has an extensive range of Christmas decorations for sale this year. Here are the best-sellers:
- Glass Hanging Alphabet Cloche Decoration – £5
- Party Zebra Hanging Decoration – £5
- Velvet Hanging Alphabet Decoration – £5
- Percy Pig Christmas Pudding Decoration -£6
- Percy Pig Phizzy Pigtails Hanging Decoration – £5
- Spencer Bear Reindeer Hanging Decoration – £6
- 3 pack Harry Potter Hanging Decorations – £15
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