John Lewis Christmas Advert Criticised

John Lewis’s latest Christmas ad has divided viewers, with some praising its star casting and others accusing its luxurious setting of being out of touch amid the cost of living crisis. The ad opens with glamorous grandmother Gloria, played by Dame Kristin Scott Thomas, welcoming her family into her large, well-appointed London home on Christmas Eve before going shopping with her toy dog, Pickles. Analysts at Kantar said the ad reminded consumers of the “joy” of the festive season, but suggested that it lacked the “emotive punch” of previous campaigns. Lynne Deason, head of creative excellence at analysts Kantar, told the Press Association: “ The advert however arrives just weeks after a gloomy report suggested that British households are almost £3,000 worse off thanks to five years of pressure on living standards. Which is why, in a winter where we’re all wondering how the hell we’re going to heat the homes that we can barely afford to rent or pay the mortgage on, or being told to stock up on tinned foods in case of apocalypse, this one feels utterly out of step with the nation’s mood.

BBQ - What do you think of the new John Lewis Christmas advert?

John Lewis Ad

Interest Rates up to 4%

 

Interest rates have risen for the first time in more than three years and the Bank of England has signalled a further increase is likely unless the US-Iran war is resolved. Rates rose to 4% from 3.75% in a bid to curb inflation mainly driven by the conflict's impact on global oil prices. Andrew Bailey, the Bank's governor, said the decision "shouldn't be seen as the first in an inevitable long sequence of hikes", but warned "unless the conflict in the Middle East is resolved, neither does it seem likely to be the last increase". The higher level will increase the cost of borrowing for things such as mortgages, loans and credit cards, but will also lead to higher returns on savings. The Bank now expects inflation to peak at 4.9% in the middle of next year, higher than it originally estimated, and not return to 2% until 2028. But in an "adverse scenario", where the US-Iran war could escalate further and send oil prices higher, inflation could reach 6.2% in 2027, it suggested. Its base rate is what it charges other banks and building societies to borrow money, which influences what customers for mortgages, loans, credit cards get charged, as well as savings rates.

BBQ - How will this rate change impact Business?

Interest Rates

Snap, Crackle and No Pop?

 

The "snap, crackle and pop" sound made by its Rice Krispies may be noticeably quieter after an uproar over the cereal giant's recipe change. Rice Krispies and Coco Pops are no longer being made with whole rice grains, with the tiny toasted puffs being made using corn flour and rice flour instead. A Kellogg's spokesperson said retaining the iconic sound had been a "huge focus" when designing the new recipe, but that customers "might notice that the sound may be quieter and not as instant as before". The firm was responding to complaints online that the taste of the breakfast staples had changed, with some fans adding they missed the "pop" sound. Kellogg's said it had adapted the recipes due to "changing weather conditions" that have disrupted supplies of some grains and cereals. The cereal giant said the new versions had been "carefully assessed for taste, appearance and texture", but some shoppers said their children would no longer eat them. Some expressed dismay that the taste and texture were "totally different" and dubbed the change "grim" and "disgusting". Recipe changes are notoriously difficult for big brands. Chocolate makers are constantly accused of reducing cocoa content in their products and debates rage online over whether ketchup ingredients have changed.

BBQ - Have Kellogg's made a mistake changing suppliers?

Rice Crispies

The Budget 2026

Chancellor John Healey began his speech by calling his first Budget one for the "working people of Britain, for British businesses big and small". The UK Budget 2026 focused on helping households with the cost of living while supporting business growth. Key measures included a 3.9% increase in the National Minimum Wage, which will raise workers’ incomes but also increase labour costs for businesses. The government announced support with energy bills, including a £100 payment for many households and measures to reduce energy costs. For businesses, Corporation Tax was kept the same, while business rates relief for many small retail, hospitality and leisure businesses was extended, helping to reduce costs. The Budget also included investment in housing, local economic growth and infrastructure to encourage jobs and long-term growth in the UK economy.

BBQ - Did you see the budget?

Budget 2026

Poundland on Brink of Collapse

 

The discount chain is teetering on the edge after its US-based owners Gordon Brothers cut off a vital funding supply and rejected a takeover offer from Irish firm Martin Property Group (MPG). The uncertainty surrounding Poundland's future has left some of its 12,000 members of staff fearful about the future of their jobs. The retailer's bosses have filed a notice of intention to appoint administrators, giving the business 10 days to find a rescue deal. The move comes after managing director Barry Williams told staff that the chain's US owner had cut off a vital supply of funding despite Poundland's strong sales. It is understood Gordon Brothers wants to break it up, with rivals Poundstretcher, B&M and Lidl interested in potentially buying up its stores. Gordon Brothers bought Poundland, which had been struggling, from the Polish retail group Pepco last year for a nominal £1. A little over a year later, it put the business up for sale. Despite an offer on the table for the business, Poundland's managers and owners have not been able to agree on a buyer. It could still be purchased out of administration in a so-called pre-pack deal, but the most likely option is for it to be broken up and for Poundland's stores to be sold off. Poundland was founded in 1990 with a store in Burton-upon-Trent and has around 20 million customers per year. It has across its 600 stores in the UK and Ireland, where it trades as Dealz. It sells low-cost everyday products, general merchandise and fashion on local high streets.

BBQ - What impact would this have on the high street?

Poundland

iPhone Duo Screen Fault

 

Apple has acknowledged some of its iPhone Duo handsets have developed problems with their screens, just days after the highly-anticipated smartphone went on sale. Photos posted on social media show lines that appeared on the screens of the technology giant's first ever foldable device, which has a starting price of £1,999 ($2,668) in the UK. Apple said it was aware of "an issue impacting the inner display on a small number" of the phones and urged affected users to contact the company for a replacement. The Duo's launch, which attracted crowds at Apple stores around the world last week, is an attempt to reinvigorate the brand's device range and challenge the foldable phones made by rivals. Some Duo owners also posted photos online showing cracks along the screen's centre crease, while others reported a crunching noise when opening the device. The extent of the issue remains unclear. Apple did not say how many devices were affected, while some images showing faulty devices may have been created using AI. The Duo's 7.6-inch (19.3cm) inner display is held together by a central hinge - a complex piece of engineering that has resulted in similar flaws in folding devices made by some of Apple's competitors.

BBQ - How might this issue impact Apple?

iPhone Duo

Apple HomeView

Apple has announced Apple HomeView, a new AI-powered smart home display designed to bring together entertainment, communication and home management in a single device. Powered by Apple Intelligence and the new Siri AI, HomeView can control smart home devices, support FaceTime calls, display personalised information, and recognise different household members to create tailored experiences while maintaining privacy and security. Apple describes it as the new hub of the connected home, competing with devices such as Amazon's Echo Show and Google's Nest Hub. The device features a 7-inch Liquid Retina display and will be available from 13 November 2026. Importantly, HomeView starts at £299 in the UK, with both tabletop and wall-mounted versions available at the same launch price.

BBQ - Will Apple's strong brand and ecosystem be enough to persuade consumers to pay a premium for HomeView, or will lower-priced rivals remain more attractive?

Apple HomeView