The Goods UK – 20 June 2025
Welcome back to The Goods UK! This week, some of our Editorial Team attended the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, where over 350 brands got together to celebrate game-changing, culture-shifting creativity.
Elsewhere, we’re chatting Spice Bag Specials, short attention spans and how much we’re willing to pay for a pint.
Fun stats of the week
- 75%: UK workforce made up of millennials in 2025 (LinkedIn)
- 97: The number of countries represented at this year’s Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity (Cannes Lions)
- £200: The average amount that Brits spend on viral wellness and beauty ’miracle’ cures every month (The Times)
What’s in: this week’s trends
- Live from Cannes: Artificial intelligence was a naturally prominent topic, with brands reiterating that it won’t replace human interaction, but rather enhance it. During the festival, Meta announced that it was strengthening its AI commitment with 11 new features and tools for consumers and agencies, alongside a $14 billion investment in startup Scale AI (The Drum). Elsewhere, Clash of Clans won the Entertainment Lions Grand Prix for its provocative Erling Haaland campaign, where ads were placed around stadiums where the player is least liked and encouraged rival fans to raid his in-game village. 34 million players logged in to wreak havoc on the footballer’s virtual abode (Creative Salon).
- Shoplifting à la carte: As UK retailers battle with spiralling cases of shoplifting, many of the culprits are the middle-class, best exemplified by one woman who was fined for nicking £1,000 worth of Le Creuset cookware (New Statesman). It is suggested that these shoppers simply refuse to adjust to the cost-of-living; this week brought us May inflation rates for household goods climbing to their highest since December 2023 (Bloomberg). Self-service checkouts also make it easier to cheat the system, with the thought that “posh accents” will get them off the hook (The Telegraph)!
- Late night, Irish bite: Irish-inspired ‘spice bags’ are quietly taking late-night Londoners by storm as partygoers ditch the traditional kebab for a paper bag of spiced chicken, chips and curry dips (The Times). The boss behind the hugely popular Paddy Wok attributes the success to TikTok and Instagram, where the obsession has resulted in the likes Yard Sale Pizza collab’ing with Jameson Whiskey to roll out their own Spice Bag Specials. It’s part of a growing evolution of Irish culture in Britain, as everything from fine dining venues, classy speakeasies, and Guinness-infused treats are replacing the typical shamrock-splattered pubs.
Cash or card: shopper behaviour
What’s in and out of our baskets right now? This week, we’re discussing attention deficits, viral miracle cures and pricey pints.
- Newsfeed > news read: A new survey by EXTRA gum revealed 53% of Brits aged 18-24 can’t focus on a task for longer than half an hour. TikTok scrolling (34%) and gaming (20%) top their procrastination list, while many use music, brews, or chewing gum to reset (Daily Express). This short attention span mirrors a wider shift in media habits: social media has now overtaken TV as the main source of news in the US, with 54% getting their updates via platforms like YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok (The Guardian).
- Protein, pills and patches: Brits are splurging over £2,200 a year on viral wellness quick fixes like protein shakes, collagen pills, under-eye patches and “miracle” supplements, with Gen Z leading the charge thanks to social media promising clear skin, better sleep and boosted energy. Despite this popularity, experts such as nutritionist Lily Keeling advise that we would be better off ditching supplements and loading up on fibre-rich wholegrains and balanced meals instead to get the same benefits without the price tag (The Times).
- Ale’s well that ends well: Despite rising costs, UK consumers consider visiting pubs and bars a vital part of daily life, according to a new DesignMyNight report. Most venues are confident they’ll still be pouring pints in a year, yet it is the price of that pint which is up for discussion – consumers deem £5.15 as a fair price point, yet venues currently charge around £6.12 (Propel). While hospitality holds steady, the picture looks bleaker on the high street as ONS data released today shows supermarkets saw a 5% drop in sales in May, suggesting we’re cutting back on essentials but still making space for social treats. (London Standard)
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:
- Artificial Ken-telligence: Mattel is bringing Barbie into the AI age through a new partnership with OpenAI, aiming to create smarter, more interactive toys. ChatGPT Enterprise, alongside other tools, will also be leveraged to streamline operations, accelerate product development and boost efficiency across the company (Hypebeast). Learning from past scrutiny surrounding immersive-product launches, Mattel says it’s taking a more thoughtful approach this time, with an increased focus on safety and innovation for children aged 13+ (The Register).
- Watt’s Next?: With the summer sunshine in full force, solar-powered innovations are basking in the spotlight. Tiffany & Co., Tissot, Seiko, and TAG Heuer are the luxury watchmakers leading the charge with paper-thin dials, honeycomb solar cells, and power reserves that last for months (Financial Times). And the sun-fuelled momentum doesn’t stop there. Tesco is teaming up with British engineering firm Sunswap to roll out solar and battery-powered refrigeration units, signalling a bold move away from the diesel-driven cooling systems that have long ruled the road (Retail Times).
- Pollen power: It’s not just a topic for hayfever sufferers, but rather Sainsbury’s and Nectar360’s latest initiative, where it has unveiled ‘Pollen’, an AI-driven platform which will bring together audience insights, media planning, activation, and measurement to help brands deliver targeted ads (Retail Week). While Co-op has already entered the space with its new retail media tool Co-Op Compass (Retail Gazette), Shore Capital sees strong potential in Pollen’s ability to boost Nectar360’s high-margin media revenue. Now, all eyes are on how well it delivers.
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
