The Goods UK – 12 September 2025
Welcome back to The Goods UK! This week we’re chatting about how Christmas is already making its way into our lives, London tube strikes and boozy pies.
Fun stats of the week
- 2050: The year there will be no pubs left in the UK if current closure trends continue. A thousand pubs have shut already this year, equivalent to five a day (The Times).
- 22,805: The number of TfL bikes hired as of Tuesday afternoon, a 73% increase from the previous week (Financial Times).
- (Nearly) 500%: The rise of school uniform sales in July (Internet Retailing).
What’s in: this week’s trends
- May the Pedals Be Ever in Your Favour: In a week of London tube strikes, cycling has been the most popular mode of transport for commuters – by Wednesday, the number of Lime Bike trips had surged by 74% week-on-week (London Standard) while the Forest app was downloaded 20,000 times in a single day (Financial Times). Some users reportedly stole pedals to bagsy their bike (Metro), and this week’s reduced foot traffic in the capital will cost the hospitality sector an estimated £110 million (LBC).
- Beyond the plate: Restaurateurs and dinner party hosts aren’t the only ones feeling the impact of weight loss medications, with changing trends witnessed across fashion, beauty, publishing and even the travel industry (The Telegraph). As holidaymakers increasingly favour an action-packed experience over a fly and flop, Jet2.com has launched its first ski programme from Luton in response to “demand from snow sport enthusiasts in the region” (Travel Weekly).
- Passing the Pumpkins: With 104 days to go, Christmas is in the air. Certain grocers are already teasing us with their Christmas offerings for the festive season, with Waitrose unveiling its 2025 Christmas range (The Independent) and beauty advent calendars now ready for order (Marie Claire UK). In more sobering news, despite a boost in retail sales in August, the British Retail Consortium, together with KPMG, remain concerned about the golden quarter and how retailers will fare (The Guardian).
Cash or card: shopper behaviour
What’s in and out of our baskets right now? This week, we’re discussing the importance of number one, preparations for Black Friday and how Brits are back on second-hand goodies.
- Me, Mattel and I: New research from eBay has revealed that Brits are putting themselves at the top of their own Christmas lists, spending 29% more on themselves than family or friends over the festive season. The trend is even more pronounced among younger shoppers, with Millennials (+56%) and Gen Z (+51%) in particular treating themselves to popular fashion and beauty products (RTIH). According to retail analysts, for the more young-at-heart, toy companies are feeding the chase with a mix of nostalgia and positivity, driving the likes of Lego to cater to more adults at a time of economic anxiety (Financial Times).
- Tok ‘Til You Drop: TikTok Shop UK is predicting its biggest-ever Black Friday as live shopping and viral trends continue to drive record growth. Product listings are up 445% year-on-year, creators have grown 55%, and beauty is leading the charge, with one product sold every single second. Popular creator “The Fat Butcher” is set to start selling turkeys on the platform next month, whilst in fashion, denim, Crocs, and athleisure are dominating the peak-season demand (Retail Week).
- Ah Pooh, here we go again: Recent research has found that two-thirds of Brits are now buying second-hand, motivated by the cost of living and environmental concerns. Retailers are expanding initiatives to appeal to shoppers seeking more sustainable options, with Amazon launching Second Chance Deal Days alongside the chance to save up to 50% across all product categories (Retail Systems). Elsewhere, John Lewis has announced that it will begin to offer cleaning and restoration services for teddy bears, offering a second life for our furry friends just in time for Christmas (GBNews).
Making moves: industry changes & innovation
ICYMI, industry icons are reinvigorating their brand through unique and creative ways. Here are some movers and shakers that you should know about:
- Hop-portunity knocks: You might be surprised to see certain brands shaking things up and testing the water in new guises. Guinness is branching out from the booze aisle, teaming with Higgidy on a Slow-Cooked Steak & Guinness Pie and Finsbury on a rich Gift Cake (The Grocer) and in reverse, Jason’s Sourdough has partnered with Toast Brewing to turn surplus sourdough into a hazy IPA bursting with citrus and peach (Food Manufacturer)
- Dip into deals: Pret a Manger is taking on supermarkets by trialling meal deals, where fans can grab a croissant and coffee for breakfast or a sandwich, snack, and drink for lunch at a fixed price (The Guardian). Meanwhile, Domino’s is frying up a storm with Chick ’N’ Dip, its new fried chicken line rolling out in 187 stores as the pizza giant pushes beyond pizza, showing how legacy brands are shaking up the menu to stay relevant. ( The Times)
- Fashionably functional: Following Primark’s footsteps, which launched its own adaptive line earlier this year (The Guardian), George at Asda is stepping up in style, announcing the launch of a brand-new 28-piece adaptive clothing range for adults, dropping online from 15 September. Featuring tube opening, stoma-friendly pockets and metal-free zips, all designed to make life easier without skimping on style, it is a huge win for inclusivity on the high street (Retail Gazette).
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