Marks & Spencer will take advantage of the demise of Woolworths by launching a pick ‘n’ mix sweets range in 100 shops from September.

The retailer has been piloting the confectionery offer in six shops since April, along with “grab-and-go” bags of sweets for £1, which are to be introduced to 355 stores.

M&S confectionery product developer Lucy Clark told the Independent: “When Woolworths went bust I suppose we approached things in a different way and thought it should be a bigger opportunity and not something we wanted to miss out on.

“Pick ‘n’ mix creates a bit of a buzz in-store and I think the fact you are really showing off the sweets evokes nostalgia and takes people back to their childhood.”

Other retailers, including WHSmith, have also introduced pick ‘n’ mix sweets since Woolworths’ collapse.