The Milkshake Tax

 

The UK government has confirmed plans to extend the Soft Drinks Industry Levy—better known as the sugar tax—to include milkshakes, flavoured milks, and sweetened coffee drinks. Until now, these products were exempt because of their calcium content, but ministers say the exemption no longer makes sense. From 2028, any pre-packaged milk-based drink with more than 4.5g of sugar per 100ml will be taxed. Drinks like Yazoo, Frijj, and Starbucks bottled lattes are among those set to be affected. The levy aims to tackle childhood obesity, which costs the NHS billions each year, and encourage manufacturers to reduce sugar content—just as they did when the original tax launched in 2018. The government argues the move could cut millions of calories from the national diet and raise up to £100 million annually. Critics, however, call it a “stealth tax” that will push up prices during a cost-of-living crisis. Industry groups warn that reformulation will be expensive and question whether the measure will make a real difference to health outcomes. So, will this tax change behaviour—or just make milkshakes a luxury?

BBQ - Do you think taxes on sugary drinks are an effective way to improve public health? What other strategies could the government use to tackle obesity? What might be the reaction of a the businesses like Yazoo?

Milkshake Tax

Bag Black Friday Loo Roll

 

When most people think of Black Friday, they picture queues for TVs, laptops, and the latest gadgets. But this year, consumer experts say the best bargains might be hiding in the bathroom aisle. According to research by Which?, some of the biggest genuine discounts are on everyday essentials like quilted toilet roll and cleaning products. While flashy tech deals often turn out to be less impressive than advertised, household staples are seeing real price drops.  One quirky tip doing the rounds: buy loo roll and keep the receipt. Why? Some retailers are offering cashback or loyalty bonuses on bulk purchases, meaning you could save even more later. With prices for premium brands like Andrex and Cushelle slashed by up to 40%, stocking up now could be a smart move for families looking to cut costs. Experts warn that many Black Friday deals are marketing tricks—prices inflated before the sale to make discounts look bigger. But when it comes to essentials, the savings are genuine. So, while everyone else is chasing TVs, you might just win Black Friday by filling your cupboard with toilet paper.Shoppers often hold off buying items hoping they'll be cheaper down the line. It turned out that none of the 175 products tracked by Which? were at their cheapest price of the year on the day of Black Friday itself.

BBQ - Why do retailers use psychological tactics like ‘limited-time offers’ during sales events? Do these strategies benefit consumers or businesses more?

Black Friday

Nice To Each Other? Olivia Dean Teaches Ticketmaster a Lesson

 British singer Olivia Dean has scored a major victory for music fans after taking on ticketing giants Ticketmaster and AXS. The issue? Sky-high resale prices for her North American tour tickets—some were listed at 14 times their original face value. Dean called the practice “exploitative” and “vile,” arguing that live music should be affordable and accessible. After her public criticism, Ticketmaster announced it would cap future resale prices at face value for her tour and refund fans who paid inflated prices. This move comes as the UK government plans to make it illegal to resell tickets above their original cost—a change supported by major artists like Coldplay and Dua Lipa. Dean’s stand highlights growing pressure on the live music industry to tackle ticket scalping and ensure fairness for fans.Her success has sparked debate: if a rising star can push for change, why haven’t bigger names done the same?

Olivia Dean argued that live music should be accessible for all. Do you think businesses have a responsibility to make entertainment affordable, or should market forces decide prices?

Olivia Dean 

Business Brace For Budget 2025

Business leaders face a nervous final few days before the chancellor's second Budget, having borne the brunt of a brutal set of tax hikes this time last year. Firms are still reeling from those: the £25bn National Insurance increase and an inflation-busting rise in the minimum wage. Confidence in boardrooms has grown increasingly fragile as the Budget nears. Almost all measures of sentiment among chief executives and finance bosses in the last six months have shown alarm bells ringing. Business rates are a bug-bear. Many firms have seen their bills almost double, after a pandemic-era discount of 75% for retail, hospitality and leisure businesses was cut to 40% last year. According to a recent survey by Barclays, 55% of business leaders say they are delaying investment decisions until they have seen the Budget. But 43% say they expect to increase investment after it, a sign of possible pent-up optimism. But confidence is still very fragile. The chancellor will need to handle with care.

BBQ - What would a Business want from the budget this year?

Budget 2025

UK Youth Unemployment Hitting JD Sports Sales

Unemployment among young people in the UK is hitting sales growth and profits at JD Sports, the owner of the trainer and sportwear chain has said, amid warnings about the high number of under-25s not in work, education or training. The UK was the worst-performing market for JD Group, which also owns Blacks, Go Outdoors and a number of US and European sports chains. Régis Schultz, the chief executive, said JD was experiencing “pressures on our core customer demographic, including rising unemployment levels, as well as near-term volatility around consumer sentiment”. His comments came as official figures on Thursday showed the number of 16- to 24-year-olds who are not in education, employment or training (Neet) remains stubbornly close to the highest level in a decade. The squeeze on spare cash for young people contributed to a 3.3% slide in sales at established JD Group stores in the three months to 1 November. Sales were also down in the US and EU – by 1.7% and 1.1% respectively – amid similar pressures as well as a lack of new product launches to draw in shoppers and the slowdown in the trend for women’s vintage trainers. D said annual profits would now be at the lower end of expectations, at about £853m, compared with a once-hoped-for £1bn. 

BBQ - How blame can JD Sports put on the external pressures of youth unemployment? Do they need a new strategy?

JD Sports

Christmas Cheer & Business Blues

Newcastle’s festive market is back—but not everyone’s feeling the Christmas spirit. Local traders say the wooden chalets lining Nelson Street and Old Eldon Square are blocking shopfronts and hitting sales hard. Priory Press, a coffee shop on Nelson Street, claims it lost 70% of its trade the day stalls appeared outside its door. To make matters worse, one of those huts was selling coffee. “We were told there’d be no food or drink stalls on our street,” said owner Liam Douglas. “Then a rival coffee shop popped up right in front of us.” Fashion store Friday Vintage says vans and machinery setting up the Christmas Village have blocked its entrance and even knocked over signs. “Last year an excavator was hanging over my steps while customers were inside,” said owner Laura Jackson. “It’s unsafe and unnecessary.” Newcastle City Council and NE1 insist the market boosts the city economy—last year’s event brought in £96 million—and say they’re working with affected businesses. The rival coffee stall has now been moved, and Priory Press has been offered a hut to trade from.

BBQ - Should festive markets take priority over year-round businesses? 

Newcastle Christmas Markets

iPhone Pocket

 

Apple has unveiled its latest accessory, the iPhone Pocket, a limited-edition carrying case priced at £219.95, and the internet is having a field day. Designed in collaboration with Japanese fashion house Issey Miyake, the minimalist bag comes in vibrant colors and two strap lengths, but its sock-like appearance and lack of security features have drawn widespread criticism. Social media users mocked the product as “$230 for a cut-up sock,” while tech influencer Marques Brownlee called it a “litmus test” for Apple fans who buy anything the brand releases. Apple defends the price as a reflection of branding, exclusivity, and design heritage, positioning the accessory as a luxury fashion item rather than a practical case. This controversy highlights the tension between brand loyalty and perceived value, raising questions about how far consumers will go for status-driven purchases.

BBQ - Apple’s iPhone Pocket is priced far higher than similar accessories. Explain one reason why a business might use premium pricing for a product.

iPhone Pocket