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

Netflix set to buy Warner Bros

 

Netflix has agreed to buy the film and streaming businesses of Warner Bros Discovery for $72bn (£54bn) in a major Hollywood deal. The streaming giant emerged as the top bidder for Warner Bros ahead of rivals Comcast and Paramount Skydance after a drawn-out battle. Warner Bros owns franchises including Harry Potter and Game of Thrones, and the streaming service HBO Max. The takeover is set to lead to a radical reshaping of the US film and media industry, but analysts have warned that it could face resistance from competition authorities. Netflix will complete the takeover after Warner Bros finalises its previously announced plans to separate its streaming and studios division from its global networks division into two publicly traded companies next year. Tom Harrington, head of television at Enders Analysis, said it was hard to gauge whether the deal would win regulatory approval, but if it went through it would have a massive impact on cinema. Mr Harrington said there was likely to be "big reductions" in television and film output from a merged entity, which would lead to resistance to the move from parts of Hollywood and relevant unions. David Zaslav, president and chief executive of Warner Bros, added the agreement would combine "two of the greatest storytelling companies in the world". The acquisition of Warner Bros is expected to enable Netflix to expand its studio production capacity and increase its investment in original content.

BBQ - Do you think this potential move will be good for consumers?

Netflix Takeover

Misleading Green Claims

The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has banned ads from major fashion brands Nike, Superdry, and Lacoste for making misleading claims about their environmental sustainability. The rulings were made because the paid-for Google ads used terms like "sustainable," "sustainable materials," or "sustainable style" without providing the high level of clear, substantiated evidence required under the UK's advertising code. The ASA determined that without qualification, these absolute claims were ambiguous and risked misleading consumers who are increasingly looking to make greener purchasing choices. This decision, part of a wider industry crackdown on greenwashing, sends a strong message that broad, unproven environmental statements must be avoided, and brands must now ensure the basis of all future sustainability claims is explicit and verifiable. Nike for example used the phrase 'Serve An Ace With Nike Sustainable Materials' with a recent promotion on tennis polo shirts but the brand did not clarify what made the materials sustainable.

BBQ - Why is it important that a brand needs to substantiate these sustainability claims?

Sustainability

 

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