The Goods UK – 11 December 2024
Welcome back to The Goods UK. This week, we’re chatting about what’s driving winter sun bookings, why people want to “party in privacy” and whether a Christmas dinner delivery box might lower your stress levels.
Muhammad was the top choice for parents naming their baby boys in England and Wales in 2023. It has been among the top 10 names since 2016 but has now overtaken the previous favourite, Noah. Olivia, Amelia and Isla have been the top names for baby girls since 2022.
What’s in: this week’s trends
- Not another manic Monday: It’s been a depressing start to the ‘Golden Quarter’ for many. However, recent data suggests that UK Black Friday sales soared 15% higher than 2023 – driven by a rise in live shopping, hybrid shopping and loyalty programmes. Yet given many shoppers had checked out by the time Cyber Monday rolled around, it’s clear retailers must continue to work hard to incentivise people to spend their hard-earned cash.
- Sun, sea, and savings: With the shortest day of the year right around the corner, Brits are rushing to book winter holidays in hot, upcoming, and… cheaper destinations. While demand for classic Mediterranean destinations remains, travel agents and airlines are seeing greater-than-usual bookings for North African countries and the UAE. Booking patterns have also shifted, with holidaymakers more likely to book either months in advance or at the very last minute to try and hunt down the best deals.
- Claus-trophoic: The average Christmas food shop takes nearly 2 hours and multiple separate trips to the supermarket to complete, according to new research. It’s pretty adrenaline-pumping too, with heart rates spiking by nearly 44% on average – creating the same level of stress as taking an exam. It’s not hard to see the appeal of a Christmas dinner delivery box!
- Sugar and spice: Scientists in Sweden studied nearly 70,000 people over two decades and came to the conclusion that a little bit of sugar does you good – unless it’s in liquid form. Sugar from drinks was linked to an increased risk of problems such as stroke and heart failure, but sugar from sweet treats was associated with a reduced risk of all types of heart-related issues. Scientists are unable to explain how the consumption of sweet treats and toppings seems to benefit cardiovascular health, but have called for future studies to find out why.
Cash or card: shopper behaviour
What’s in and out of our baskets right now? This week it’s all about dragons, secondhand dresses and dual wedges.
- Dungeons & dividends: Three decades after listing on the London Stock Exchange, tabletop fantasy and futuristic battle-games company Games Workshop has battled its way onto the FTSE 100. The winning move has been attributed to the boom of “hobby stocks”, first re-mobilised during the pandemic as people became willing to spend more on their past times.
- Rewear love affair: With a quarter of Brits planning to attend festive events in a pre-loved party outfit, it’s not surprising that Charity Super.Mkt is eyeing up more pop-ups to service our growing flirtation with all things preloved. While ‘thrift haul’ videos on social media have enticed new shoppers to get in on the trend, experts suggest people are embracing vintage as an easy way to build up a personal sense of style.
- A new kind of swing: The summer might have been a washout, but that hasn’t stopped more women from hitting the golf course than ever before. Studies earlier this year suggested participation in the industry was at an all-time high thanks to the sport’s ‘seismic’ shift in perception that came with the growth of the golf entertainment sector.
Making moves: industry changes & innovation
ICYMI, even industry icons need to reinvigorate their brand presence through unique and creative ways. Here are some movers and shakers that you should know about:
- AI did it my way:Artificial intelligence is making booking holidays easier, faster and more cost-effective. Leading the sector’s evolution are virtual travel assistants, which are increasingly able to make recommendations, check hotel availability and answer detailed customer questions in real-time. This type of technology is particularly beneficial for people with visual impairments, making the process more inclusive and efficient.
- Deal decisions: Interest-only mortgages are plummeting in popularity, according to longer-term lenders. The number of outstanding interest-only home loans has fallen by 70 per cent over the past decade, now making up just 8 per cent of all home loans. Post-2008, some people viewed interest-only mortgages as synonymous with irresponsible lending. However, for homeowners who fixed at a low rate before the cost-of-living hike and are now remortgaging, an interest-only deal can provide some breathing space.
- It’s division on the dancefloor: New nightclubs are starting to open with a new rule – your smartphone’s camera must be covered with a sticker. While some claim venues will suffer because documenting our nights out is a key part of enjoying nights out, others are supportive of the right to “party in privacy”. The rule comes at a tricky time for Britain’s nightclub scene, which has struggled to recover from the numerous COVID lockdowns.
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