The Goods UK: It’s a choc-ing crime
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What’s in: this week’s trends
- It’s a choc-ing crime: Chocolate has become an unlikely frontline in the retail crime battle, with Tesco and Sainsbury’s rolling out anti-theft boxes on regularly targeted lines. It’s now the UK’s second most stolen item after alcohol, fuelled by organised crime group resale (The Times). With new legislation set to remove the £200 threshold for “low-level” theft, locked chocolate aisles are becoming a visible sign of how organised theft is reshaping the in-store experience (BRC).
- Cut to the meat: Fast food’s flirtation with plant-based is cooling as operators double down on meat-led dishes. McDonald’s, Wagamama and Domino’s have trimmed vegetarian ranges amid softer demand and cost pressures. Lumina data shows veggie options are “explicitly shrinking”, while chicken mains grew 4.2% in early 2025, a clear shift towards protein, indulgence and value (The Guardian). Delivery tells the same story, with Uber Eats’ Hottest Bites for 2026 dominated by fried chicken and burgers, with only a sprinkling of plant-based hits (Uber).
- A spring in retail’s step: With parts of south-east England nudging 18°C weeks ahead of spring, retailers are watching the weather for an early lift. A 1°C seasonal swing can move UK retail sales by around 1%, roughly £3 billion. Last year, Next saw full-price sales jump 11.4% after warm weather “turbocharged” demand (Retail Gazette).
Cash or card: shopper behaviour
What’s in and out of our baskets right now? This week we explore the UK’s record year for airline passenger numbers, why the production of EVs is in reverse gear and what’s behind the resurgence of Vimto.
- Passenger numbers soar: Brits have well and truly found their wings, with the number of passengers flying to or from UK airports hitting 302 million during 2025, surpassing the pre-pandemic peak of 300 million in 2019. Passenger numbers have tripled since 1989 and are expected to see further growth this year as Brits eye up far-flung destinations for their holidays (The Standard). Tapping into this trend, Jet2 is ensuring that more customers can access their flights, with 90% of the UK population now living within a 90-minute drive of one of its 15 UK bases (The Business Desk).
- EVs in reverse gear: Demand for electric vehicles (“EVs”), has been slammed into reverse gear, with Lamborghini citing demand as being “close to zero” as EVs fail to deliver the emotional connection customers require from their cars. Declining demand has prompted leading car manufacturers, including Ford and Lamborghini, to U-turn on plans for new EV models in place of hybrid vehicles which combine the “agility and low-rev boost of electric battery technology with the emotion and power output of an internal combustion engine” (The Times).
- Berry big comeback: Vimto, the British berry flavoured cordial, has seen an unlikely renaissance, becoming a cultural staple for those breaking their Ramadan fast. Over 30 million bottles are sold across the Middle East during the holy month, tweaked to be thicker, stronger and sweeter, making it the perfect drink to provide energy after a day’s fasting at iftar and closely mirroring traditional fruit-based Ramadan drinks which have been enjoyed for generations. It’s popularity has also soared in the UK, with searches for the drink at Sainsbury’s increasing 400% during the first week of Ramadan (The Times).
Making moves: industry changes & innovation
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- The power of the pop-in: Driven by customer feedback, Sephora is set to launch its first ever boutique store concept later this year on Carnaby Street in London. The boutique style allows for a smaller, intimate store format which will offer shoppers a more tailored and convenient experience. The concept will also work to attract new customers based on shopping behaviours seen in the UK such as the ‘pop-in’ experience reminiscent of high street culture (RetailWeek).
- Aisles of opportunity: Booths has begun a groundbreaking venture, helping students with learning difficulties learn real life retail skills. The supermarket has installed a small store inside Bleasdale School, Lancashire, where students have the opportunity to work for at least an hour a week. The shop has provided an invaluable experience for students with learning difficulties to gain a skillset that will eventually help them secure a career in retail (The Grocer). Elsewhere, JD Sports hosted a record 10,000 young people at its annual careers event, “JD UP” as part of its commitment to help young people get into work amid rising youth unemployment (Retail Gazette).
- Fab-U-Lous: Profits at Fox’s Burton’s Companies, the company behind Jammie Dodgers and Wagon Wheels, hit a sugar rush as the Group turned to innovation to capitalise on taste trends. Jumping on the Dubai chocolate trend, they created their own “Dubai-style” variant of its Fox’s chocolate brand. They also partnered with Strictly Come Dancing judge Craig Revel Harwood, to lead the relaunch of its Fox’s Chocolatey range (City A.M).
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