The Goods UK: Lies into lucre
Welcome back to The Goods UK! This week we’re chatting about the impact of The Traitors on Scotland’s economy, why Domino’s wants to tap into the advent calendar industry’s ‘glow up’ and how urban farming is back in vogue.
Fun stats of the week
- 111,000: Number of illegal vapes captured by police as part of a nationwide crackdown on “dodgy shops”. (BBC News)
- 1865: The year people could get their hands on the first ever iteration of the protein shake (we don’t recommend checking the ingredients). (The Guardian)
- 1,200: How many sandwiches are made each day at Claridge’s for afternoon tea. (The Times)
What’s in: this week’s trends
- Lies into lucre: 11.1 million tuned in for last week’s Celebrity Traitors finale in what the BBC’s head of entertainment hailed as “the highlight of the year”. But it seems cloaks, turrets and treachery isn’t just gripping TV – it’s big business. A new report suggests the franchise has pumped £21.8m into Scotland’s economy over the last three years. (Insider Media) Ireland is another country betting on screen tourism to lure “value-adding visitors” to its shores in 2026. (Travel Weekly)
- How the Grinch stole parcels: Keep an eye on your Ring doorbell – the value of parcels swiped by “porch pirates” rocketed to £666.5m in the 12 months to July. (The Telegraph) Although now a year-round issue, Black Friday is expected to be a goldmine for stolen deliveries, as shoppers have delayed their autumnal spending in anticipation of grabbing a festive bargain. (Retail Week)
- ‘Twas the sale before Christmas: UK economists are looking for any morsels of good cheer right now and the recent 0.5% dip in grocery inflation seemed to offer a glimmer of hope ahead of the Budget. However, analysts warn the drop is down to grocers flooding shelves with festive offers to win market share. Worldpanel’s Fraser McKevitt highlighted that just under 30% of October spending was on promoted items – “a figure that [they] expect to go even higher as we get closer to Christmas”. (Reuters)
Cash or card: shopper behaviour
What’s in and out of our baskets right now? This week, it’s all about dolls, dips and business trips.
- Santa’s stocking shortage: Toys sales are climbing for the first time since the pandemic, with brands appealing to both kids and ‘kidults’ making up a third of sales. (BBC News) But this season’s must have – a KPop Demon Hunters doll – is in seriously short supply. Initially dismissing the project as “too risky”, retailers underestimated the film’s level of fandom, meaning Mattel’s best estimate is that the dolls will ship 18 months after the original movie aired. Echoing 2013’s Elsa frenzy vibes, there will likely be a few toy bosses on Santa’s naughty list this year. (Bloomberg)
- Dip into December: More than 70% of Brits purchase advent calendars, but gone are the days of just having 24 bites of cheap chocolate. Instead, people are increasingly counting down to the big day with beauty products, pop-culture collectables, and even drams of whisky. (Direct Commerce) One brand looking to tap into the trend for more experience-driven calendars this year is Domino’s. Its novelty Dipmas advent calendar ladles out fun festive challenges highlighting how to enjoy its signature Garlic & Herb dip. (Food Bible)
- Miles better: Business travellers aren’t tightening the purse strings just yet, with new data showing that spending across Europe is set to rise by 8.2% next year. (Travel Weekly) UK business trippers are the biggest spenders, splashing out a whopping €1,305 per trip. But execs in this region are much less likely to mix work with play compared with their North American and Asia Pacific counterparts.
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:
- Chicken rules the roost: Pubs are beefing up their menus – literally – with analysts reporting a 7.4% increase in the number of dishes available. (The Morning Advertiser) Chicken and pizzas now dominate, making up nearly half of all pub mains, but some publicans are introducing international twists on British staples, such as Indian or Thai-spiced Sunday roasts. Prices are up to too, but landlords are turning to loyalty apps to tempt punters back for repeat visits.
- Shroom for improvement: If your morning coffee has you bouncing off the walls and then face-planting by 11am, London Nootropics claims to have the fix. (The Standard) Their adaptogenic mushroom blends promise the same perk without the panic – think focus, calm or energy, depending on which sachet you choose. Research from Ocado shows that Gen Z is driving a shift towards functional drinks, with 22% of adults now replacing tea or coffee with health-boosting alternatives. (Specialty Food Magazine)
- Green among the grey: As the world nears 10 billion people and cities swell, urban farming is sprouting up. (The Guardian) The likes of high-rise hydroponics and community orchards could slash carbon, shorten supply chains and help city slickers feel better connected to nature. But it’s no magic bean: indoor farms guzzle energy, and no rooftop tomato patch is feeding London on its own. Still, blended approaches and local growing could reshape city living in the years to come.
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