The Goods UK – 13 June 2025
Welcome back to The Goods UK! This week we’re chatting sunloungers, dolphins surfing and why Pret is chasing slow sips.
Fun stats of the week
- 20%: The rise in Levi Strauss & Co’s share price, partly thanks to its Americana collaboration with Queen Bey (The Guardian)
- $600bn: The amount of revenue the global beauty business is expected to generate by 2028 (Daily Mail)
- £18,6500: The starting price of a BYD Dolphin Surf EV car, now on sale in the UK (Auto Express)
What’s in: this week’s trends
- Herd mentality: Beyonce’s Cowboy Carter tour has sparked a surge in UK demand for western-inspired fashion, with PrettyLittleThing reporting a 600% increase in “cowboy jacket” searches and Vinted seeing spikes for “western” (+16%) and “rodeo” (+13%) items (The Guardian). Even analysts from Mintel and Manchester Met have credited Beyonce’s influence on the resurgence. However, they have also said the trend is probably fleeting, helped by a deeper cultural recontextualisation of Black identity in western fashion.
- Towel takeback: If you thought nabbing a sunbed in Majorca was tricky before, the Spanish island has announced it is dragging 1,700 sunloungers off its beaches after locals complained over a lack of towel space (The Telegraph). It’s the latest development in a wave of anti-tourism sentiment across the continent, which has also seen Norway approve a new tourist tax this week (Travel & Tour World), as well as the Greek island of Santorini restrict cruise visitors to just 8,000 people each day (Travel Tomorrow).
- Track to the future: Eurostar plans to expand routes to Frankfurt and Geneva to woo green-minded travellers, but don’t pack your Samsonite just yet… the launch hinges on €2bn of new trains and some rather pricey border upgrades (Financial Times). Still, corporate bookings are booming, with big names like Deloitte, BCG and JPMorgan all aboard the sustainability train.
Cash or card: shopper behaviour
What’s in and out of our baskets right now? This week, we’re discussing the growing desire for beauty, late night dining and leisurely coffee mornings.
- Billion-dollar makeover: Beauty brands are undergoing glow-ups through M&A as they seek to capitalise on the sustainable growth offered by the sector. Hailey Bieber recently sold her make-up brand Rhode to e.l.f. in a deal worth $1bn (BBC), while L’Oreal Group is set to acquire skincare brand Medik8 for a similar value (Vogue Beauty). With increased interest in being “wellderly” – the phrase coined for healthy ageing – Gerrit Smit from Stonehage Fleming argues the human urge to look better will always be with us, meaning the beauty sector offers promising long-term returns for investors (The Times).
- Late night bites: Forget propping up the bar or dancing the night away, the new face of UK nightlife is a 10.30pm restaurant reservation. Inspired by Spain’s dining culture, a number of upmarket London restaurants have embraced late-night dining to cater to the increasing demand (The Guardian). With the out-and-about economy “roaring back”, it’s no wonder investors look more favourably on companies that benefit from people being “out out” (The Economist).
- Slow sips: Famous for its swift “grab-and-go” service, Pret A Manger is now trialling a new shop format as it aims to cater to the UK’s hybrid workforce. Porcelain crockery, food made to order, a play area and community tables will feature in locations where customers are looking for a more relaxed experience. With over 80% of the company’s openings since January 2023 outside of London, the new format could become a “significant portion” of Pret’s estate in the future (City A.M).
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:
- Bean there, returned that: Waitrose is shaking up its free coffee offer again, allowing members to borrow a reusable cup in store to claim their daily free hot drinks (Daily Mirror). Rolling out in nine branches across the country initially, the scheme echoes circular systems already used by the National Trust (Blenheim Palace). Given the average Brit purchases an average of five paper cups each month, the trial could help cut down significant amounts of waste (The Independent).
- Electric avenue: BYD’s “Dolphin Surf” (known as the “Seagull” in China) landed in the UK this week, shaking up the EV market with its low price and advanced tech. With electric car sales jumping last month (Autocar), many have heralded its entrance as a sign that more high-quality and affordable electric cars will come. However, the ongoing rivalry between Beijing and western powers has meant the news has also reignited concerns of the ongoing security risk that the increased dominance of Chinese brands presents (BBC).
- Knock knock, bot’s there: Amazon is testing humanoid robots that could one day spring of out vans to drop off your parcels (The Verge). Trials are underway in San Francisco where advanced AI, including large language models, is being used to train the bots to navigate real-world objects like doorsteps, dogs and garden gnomes. While still years from rollout, this tech is likely to not just change delivery times, but also the jobs involved (Tech Radar).
For more information about FTI Strategic Communications Retail & Consumer Products sector service offerings and expertise, please contact [email protected] and [email protected]
The views expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and not necessarily the views of FTI Consulting, its management, its subsidiaries, its affiliates, or its other professionals.
©2025 FTI Consulting, Inc. All rights reserved. www.fticonsulting.com
