British retail giant M&S has sparked uncontrollable laughter across social media with a Valentine’s Day chocolate so suggestively shaped that shoppers are calling it downright inappropriate.
Story Highlights
- M&S launched “You Tickle My Pickle” chocolate with phallic appearance causing viral social media buzz
- Shoppers describe the Valentine’s treat as hilariously NSFW, comparing it to male anatomy
- Marketing Director Sherry Cramond promoted the “cute” product on Instagram despite obvious innuendo
- This follows M&S’s pattern of cheeky novelty chocolates designed for viral engagement
Valentine’s Marketing Gone Viral
Marks & Spencer unveiled their latest Valentine’s Day offering, a milk chocolate treat dubbed “You Tickle My Pickle,” featuring pink cheeks and dark chocolate eyes. The pickle-shaped confection immediately triggered widespread social media reactions, with shoppers giggling over its unmistakably phallic appearance and suggestive tagline. Marketing Director Sherry Cramond enthusiastically shared the product on Instagram, describing it as “adorably decorated” while seemingly oblivious to the obvious double entendre that has customers in stitches.
Social Media Erupts With Humor
Facebook comments exploded with shoppers calling the chocolate everything from hilarious to downright NSFW, with some comparing its appearance to male anatomy. The viral response demonstrates how M&S’s cheeky marketing strategy successfully generated organic buzz during their January sales period. This playful approach contrasts sharply with the retailer’s traditional luxury food image, showing their willingness to embrace innuendo for Valentine’s Day engagement and increased foot traffic during the post-Christmas retail lull.
Pattern of Provocative Products
This chocolate launch continues M&S’s established history of novelty confections with suggestive shapes, including previous releases like sausage dog chocolates that sparked similar online reactions. The retailer strategically times these attention-grabbing products around major holidays to maximize social media impact and drive sales. While the pickle chocolate generates laughs, it reflects M&S’s broader approach of using humor and slight controversy to differentiate themselves in the competitive UK confectionery market during peak gifting seasons.
Strategic Marketing Success
The “You Tickle My Pickle” phenomenon showcases how traditional retailers can leverage social media buzz through deliberately provocative product design. M&S benefits from free viral marketing as shoppers share photos and comments across platforms, creating organic reach that traditional advertising cannot match. This calculated risk-taking approach reinforces M&S’s reputation for playful innovation while generating genuine customer engagement and likely boosting Valentine’s Day sales through curiosity purchases and social sharing.
Sources:
M&S Copy Cat Choc On Choc – Grocery Gazette
M&S NSFW Chocolate Valentine’s Day Shoppers React – Food Bible
