The Goods UK – 25 September 2024
Welcome back to The Goods UK. This week, we’re chatting airport tray aesthetics, why English wine is bubbling up and how the Budget is causing kitchen renovation roadblocks.
Five million pints of Guinness 0.0 – the UK’s biggest-selling non-alcoholic-beer – is kept in quarantine at any one time, as no alcohol means a higher risk of bacterial infections. It is soon to be available on draught as sales of the no-alcohol “black stuff” has doubled year on year.
What’s in: this week’s trends
- It’s not all about the pomp and pageantry: We’ve had Barbiecore, Dadcore and Cottagecore, but now it’s time to make way for… Britishcore. Set to be one of Autumn’s most popular “fings”, this trend is all about embracing the banalities of British culture from crisps sarnies and bomber jackets to debating the age-old question of Corrie vs. Eastenders. But it’s not just Brits jumping on the bandwagon: Australians are lip-syncing to Gemma Collins, and Americans are discovering beans on toast. Even IKEA is at it – photoshopping the iconic Gary Barlow meme “this is my idea of a very nice day out”, to a green screen of an IKEA store.
- Renovation roadblocks: Middle-class homeowners are calling off home renovation plans amid fears Rachel Reeves’ October’s Budget will leave them with paying higher taxes. Despite a better economic outlook, consumer confidence has plunged in September, indicating that households are feeling less secure about their finances and the economy in general.
- Deja queue: Airport security lines are about to get a whole lot more annoying for those not embracing the latest “airport tray aesthetic” trend. Some of our nation’s more creative travellers have been artfully arranging their essentials in security boxes, then posting the images to TikTok to show off their sense of style. While some travellers have questioned the rationale for the fad, the “pillowcase packing” trick of avoiding baggage fees by stuffing an empty pillowcase with clothes and taking it through as hand luggage has been named a “genius” hack.
Cash or card: shopper behaviour
What’s in and out of our baskets right now? Nostalgia for retro sweets is rising, while popping to your local supermarket store is likely to hurt your wallet.
- Why run a marathon when you can eat one?: Some thirty years after its controversial Snickers rebrand, the much loved Marathon bar is making a comeback with a special “retro edition”. This isn’t the first time that old classics have been revived due to persistent demand: this summer, fans of the Breakaway bar managed to convince Nestlé to reverse its plans to shelve the brand. Unfortunately, attempts to bring back the Caramac bar long-term have been less successful. Its discontinuation in November 2023, despite apparent falling sales, was suggested by some as a sign of a company “underestimating the depth of loyalty people have for their brands.”
- Tupperware tells a teary tale: Despite being a stalwart of domestic life since 1946, the Tupperware brand has filed for bankruptcy in the US following three years of poor sales growth. But as most office fridges across the globe will attest to, a lack of demand isn’t the problem. Instead, it seems the problem is that the model has been widely emulated by rival brands including supermarket own-versions which can be sold at a cheaper prices.
- Convenience costs: Popping out to your local supermarket may save time, but a new study from Which? has found it’s unlikely to save you any money. In fact, shopping at convenience stores can cost up to a fifth more than buying the same items at larger locations. Whilst many shoppers might not be surprised by the findings, Which? warned that those without easy access to transport links or online deliveries could suffer from unfair price inflation.
- Brits abroad: Abta’s Travel Confidence Index report has concluded that the UK feels happier about travelling overseas now than it did this time last year. It seems the planners amongst us are the most positive, with an increase in package holiday bookings driving much of this fuzzy feeling. The importance of travel agents helping travellers get the correct travel documents is also increasing, likely in part to n ew passport requirements for travelling to the EU coming into effect from November.
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:
- English wine bubbling up: Move over, Champagne – English wine is making waves and giving our friends across the Channel a run for their money. Because of climate change, the UK’s wine regions, especially in the South, are producing sparkling wines that are winning various awards. Experts say English vineyards now boast the perfect conditions for growing grapes like Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, resulting in bubbly that’s gaining global recognition. It seems England is good for more than just its breakfast tea!
- A healthier sip: In a surprising twist for pub lovers, experts are calling for smaller beer glasses to encourage healthier drinking habits. A recent study suggests that reducing pint sizes could help curb excessive alcohol consumption, with smaller servings linked to a potential 10% reduction in overall intake. With many already opting for lighter options, this could be the next big trend in responsible drinking.
- Snack time snitch: Because nothing says, “we care” like a loyalty card judging your shopping habits. Tesco has announced it is rolling out AI to nudge customers to make healthier choices, suggesting personalised swaps like “maybe skips the crisps, how about some quinoa instead?” It’s all part of the supermarket’s plan to make healthy eating easier and subtly remind people that those biscuits in their basket might not be the best life choice. We guess every little helps.
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