Candy Kitten Launches Smittens

Candy Kittens is making its plant-powered treats more accessible with the exclusive Tesco launch of Smittens, a new "lifestyle" range designed to offer a lower price point without compromising on quality. Retailing at approximately £1.60 per bag—a significant drop from their flagship gourmet line—Smittens features three vibrant flavor edits: Strawberry, Blueberry, and Sour. By maintaining the brand’s commitment to being 100% vegan and palm oil-free while positioning the product for the everyday "on-the-go" shopper, Candy Kittens is effectively bridging the gap between premium confectionery and mainstream affordability. The launch of Smittens represents a major strategic pivot for Candy Kittens as it seeks to transform from a niche "gourmet" player into a high-volume supermarket powerhouse. This move into the mass-market "lifestyle" category is underpinned by the brand's recent acquisition of Graze from Unilever, a deal that has increased the company's overall footprint by 300% and signals their ambition to become the "Unilever of challenger brands." Despite a recent dip in short-term profits due to the high costs of expanding grocery distribution, the Smittens launch leverages the brand's B Corp status and plant-powered credentials to meet the rising consumer demand for ethical, affordable treats, positioning Candy Kittens for a significant revenue surge as they scale across the UK.

BBQ - Do you think this move by Candy Kittens will be a success?

Smittens

BYD overtakes Tesla

China's BYD has overtaken Elon Musk's Tesla as the world's biggest seller of electric vehicles (EVs), marking the first time it has outpaced its American rival in annual sales. Tesla car sales dropped by nearly 9% in 2025 to 1.64 million vehicles sold worldwide, the carmaker said on Friday - its second consecutive year of falling car deliveries. Those figures placed Tesla behind BYD, which said on Thursday that sales of its battery-powered cars rose last year by almost 28% to more than 2.25 million. The US firm has faced a tough year with a mixed reception to new offerings, unease over Musk's political activities and intensifying competition from Chinese rivals. The Shenzhen-based company's rapid expansion - especially in Latin America, South East Asia and parts of Europe - comes despite many countries imposing steep tariffs on Chinese EVs. In October, BYD said the UK had become its biggest market outside China. The firm said that its sales in Britain surged by 880% in the year to the end of September, driven by strong demand for the plug-in hybrid version of its Seal U sports utility vehicle (SUV). Tesla's car sales fell 16% during the last three months of 2025. The drop was partly due to the repeal of a government subsidy that had helped knock as much as $7,500 (£5,570) off the price of certain battery electric, plug-in hybrid or fuel cell vehicles. Chinese firms such as Geely, MG, and BYD - now the country's largest electric car company - have put pressure on Western rivals by pricing their vehicles below established brands.

BBQ - What do you believe is the biggest reason that Tesla car sales have dropped?

BYD vs Tesla

Junk Food Advert Ban Starts

Junk food adverts will be banned on television and online from Monday as part of a drive to tackle childhood obesity. The UK-wide ban will stop food and drinks high in fat, salt and sugar (HFSS) being advertised on TV before 21:00 and at any time online. It applies to products considered to be the biggest drivers of childhood obesity, including soft drinks, chocolates and sweets, pizzas and ice creams. As well as more obviously unhealthy foods, the ban will also cover some breakfast cereals and porridges, sweetened bread products, and main meals and sandwiches. Decisions over which products fall under the ban will be based on a scoring tool, balancing their nutrient levels against whether they are high in saturated fat, salt, or sugar. Firms can still promote healthier versions of banned products, which the government hopes will lead to food makers developing healthier recipes. It is estimated obesity costs the NHS more than £11bn every year. Evidence shows children's exposure to ads for unhealthy food can influence what they eat from a young age, in turn putting them at greater risk of becoming overweight or obese.The government estimates the ad ban will prevent around 20,000 cases of childhood obesity.

BBQ - Do you think the ban will be effective in reducing obesity?

Junk Food Ban

Leon Restructuring

Leon, the UK’s healthy fast-food chain, is closing 20 underperforming stores and cutting jobs as part of a major restructuring plan. The decision follows an £8 million loss last year and aims to bring the brand back to its roots after co-founder John Vincent bought it back from Asda in October. Leon has entered a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA) with administrators to reduce costs and renegotiate rents, citing rising taxes, high operating expenses, and reduced city-centre footfall due to hybrid working. While the exact number of job losses is unclear, Leon has promised support for affected staff, including priority rehiring and a partnership with Pret a Manger for alternative roles. Vincent says the restructure will allow Leon to focus again on its mission of providing natural, wellness-driven food.

BBQ - Explain two reasons why Leon decided to close 20 stores and restructure its business.

Leon Restructure

Christmas Card Sales Down

An independent greeting card retailer in Peterborough has revealed that Christmas card sales have slumped by 22% week-on-week compared to last year, attributing the steep decline to rising living expenses and soaring postage costs—first-class stamps now cost £1.70—making cards more expensive than stamps themselves. store owner John Bird noted that excess festive stock remains unsold as customers delay purchases due to budget concerns, and increased competition from online sellers and digital e-cards is exacerbating the decline. While some optimism remains—another local shop expects to shift 75% of its stock in the final run-up to Christmas—the industry faces ongoing pressure from changing consumer habits and economic constraints. 

BBQ - What is the future of Christmas Cards?

Christmas Card Sales

Toffee Crisp & Blue Riband No Longer Chocolate

 

Nestlé has sparked debate among chocolate lovers by reformulating two iconic treats — Toffee Crisp and Blue Riband — so they no longer qualify as “milk chocolate” under UK food regulations. Rising cocoa prices have driven the change, with the company replacing some cocoa mass with vegetable fats to keep costs under control. As a result, the bars now feature a “milk‑chocolate flavour coating” rather than genuine milk chocolate, a subtle but legally significant distinction. While Nestlé insists the taste remains virtually unchanged thanks to extensive sensory testing, the move highlights a growing trend in the confectionery industry: balancing affordability with authenticity. For consumers, this raises questions about transparency and whether beloved brands can maintain trust when recipes evolve behind the scenes. It’s a reminder that even heritage products aren’t immune to economic pressures — and that what’s on the label really matters.

BBQ - Should Toffee Crisp increase the price rather than reduce the quantity of cocoa?

Toffee Crisp

Prada buys Versace

 

In one of the most significant deals in recent luxury history, Italian fashion giant Prada Group has officially completed the acquisition of Milanese rival Versace from its former US-based parent company, Capri Holdings. The price tag, reported to be around $1.375 billion (€1.25 billion), represents a substantial discount compared to the $2 billion Capri Holdings originally paid for the brand in 2018. The "discount" reflects Versace's mixed performance under the previous ownership, which struggled to position the brand’s high-octane glamour in an era increasingly favouring "quiet luxury."This strategic move is less about merging aesthetics—the minimalist "ugly chic" of Prada versus the maximalist, sexy silhouettes of Versace—and more about creating a powerful, unified Italian luxury conglomerate to challenge French giants LVMH and Kering. The deal brings Versace back under Italian ownership and control, with Prada's heir, Lorenzo Bertelli, stepping in as Executive Chairman. The immediate focus will be on leveraging the strength of Prada’s famed Italian manufacturing supply chain, injecting vital investment, and tapping into the "significant untapped growth potential" of the globally recognized Versace name.

BBQ - What might be a potential drawback or challenge for this takeover? 

Luxury Takeover