The Goods UK: Can’t Buy Me Louvre
Welcome back to The Goods UK! This week we’re chatting about splashing cash on ready meals and breakfasts, The Traitors inspiring fashion outfits and pink risotto.
Fun stats of the week
- £76 million: The value of the jewellery stolen from the Louvre on Sunday (BBC)
- £91.12bn: UK retail sales forecast across six-week festive period (VoucherCodes)
- 60% : The number of young Brits actively avoiding in-person networking events (Daily Mail)
What’s in: this week’s trends
- Dining out on dining in: As life becomes more expensive with the price of everyday staples on the rise (Financial Times), consumers seem to be switching gourmet restaurant trips for gourmet ready-made meals. With fewer Brits dining out, retailers are seeking to fill the void with high-priced premium ready meals, such as Sainsbury’s new Taste the Difference Discovery Range, which was launched in response to a 50% month-on-month increase in online searches for ‘premium’. (The Grocer) Bon appetite!
- Haute brunchure: It’s not just ready meals getting a glitzy upgrade, the most important meal of the day has gone luxury as Michelin-starred breakfast become the latest dining fad in the capital. (Daily Mail) From wagyu croissants to lobster Benedict, diners are turning to breakfast as a more cost-friendly way to experience fine dining. Other everyday staples being elevated include £1,000 wellies, the latest trend taking over luxury designers Moncler, Dior and Celine, but with luxury thieves on the loose à Paris, remember insurance! (The Times)
- Faithfully fashionable: Perhaps no one embodies aspirational luxury more right now than Claudia Winkleman, the stylish host of Traitors who has audiences searching for affordable alternatives to her highland gothic style. (The Standard) It’s not just the TikTok crowd that’s being drawn to the world of capes and tweed, as all generations are embracing new autumn fashion trends, (The Telegraph) with baby boomers starring in some of the season’s biggest campaigns. (The Times)
Cash or card: shopper behaviour
What’s in and out of our baskets right now? This week, we’re chatting stubborn shoppers, changing drinking habits and why lots of people are foraging for a feast on holiday.
- The best things in life are(n’t) free: 3 out of 4 of the UK’s biggest fashion retailers now charge for returns resulting in “serial returner” numbers falling from 12% to 8% of consumers. However, us fickle and stubborn shoppers are taking longer to send back as a result of limited incentives to return goods quickly. ZigZag CEO Al Gerrie explained, “Returns policies define customer behaviour,” adding that, “retailers must continuously hone their returns models, as… consumer expectations are always shifting.” (Retail Gazette) This point of contention between shoppers and retailers may prove increasingly poignant as we enter the Golden Quarter, which according to the BRC’s latest Consumer Sentiment Monitor may be more joyful than feared, as spending expectations on retail goods have risen sharply. (Drapers)
- A changing taste: You don’t have to look very far to find new warnings of the dangers of excessive alcohol consumption, which many blame for what “seem to be difficult times” for the drinks industry. But there are apparently reasons to believe the glass should still be half full. According to the research firm ISWR, spending on alcoholic drinks is rising as consumers are switching to pricier tipples, and whilst Western consumers may be more temperate, those in emerging markets appear thirstier. So rather than the teetotal tide turning, it seems people are just drinking differently. (The Economist)
- Sing for your supper: It seems days spent snoozing on a sun lounger may be a thing of the past, with evidence suggesting more luxury travellers are looking to shake things up with immersive activities like foraging, hunting and fishing for their meals whilst on holiday. It might sound like an unnecessary exertion, but experts believe consumers are also craving new ways to slow down, engage different senses and immerse themselves in the natural environment to disconnect from the rapid pace of modern life. What’s more, lots of us are willing to pay a premium for it. (BBC)
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:
- Binge-worthy bites: Whilst we’re on the topic of meals at home, HelloFresh is blending dinner and entertainment in its new partnership with Paramount+ UK. The six week campaign features over 50 recipes inspired by shows like Yellowstone, Star Trek and Mean Girls and customers who order three boxes will receive three free months of Paramount+. With dishes ranging from smoky Cajun burgers to perfectly pink Mean Girls inspired risotto, the collab serves up a fun blend of great food and pop culture. (Retail Gazette)
- The Devil Wears Data: Gen Z wants the high street to be immersive, tech-driven, and more than just shopping. They favour drone deliveries, digital fitting rooms, AI styling tips and personalised rewards. Beyond retail, they crave vibrant spaces offering dining, leisure, pop-ups and cultural activities. Convenience matters too, with mobile checkouts, curb side pickups and stress-free experiences. Research by American Express and Trajectory shows this generation is reshaping shopping into an interactive, social and experiential adventure, turning high streets in dynamic, year-round destinations. (The Times) Strap in..
- A Lidl goes a long way: Lidl and Aldi are making bold moves in the UK discount sector. Lidl quadrupled UK profits to £157 million and introduced Lidl Pay, allowing shoppers to pay, redeem coupons and check out through its app as it approaches 1,000 stores. (The Grocer) At the same time, Aldi is rolling out colleague shops at all 11 UK distribution centres, enabling staff to buy unsellable products and reduce food waste. Both retailers are innovating to strengthen their position, one through technology, the other through sustainability. (Grocery Gazette)
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