M&S has been a pioneer in grocery innovation since before the war and invented the chilled ready meals category almost single-handedly, and developed a “strong concept” in its Simply Food franchise. After a sales hiccup in the mid-noughties, it again “leads the pack in food innovation”, with above-average growth in its food division taking (some of) the heat off CEO Marc Bolland in the wake of disappointing fashion sales. 

See the complete list of the World’s 50 Best Grocers.