Poppi To Debut in UK

A new soft drink is about to land in the UK — and it’s already caused a storm across the Atlantic. Poppi, the prebiotic, low‑sugar soda that’s gone viral in the US, will be hitting Tesco and Pret from early March. PepsiCo snapped up the brand last year, and it’s clear they see Poppi as more than just another fizzy drink. With its bold cans, fruity flavours, and gut‑health message, Poppi has built a reputation as the drink for the social‑media generation. Now it’s crossing the pond with five flavours: Strawberry Lemon, Raspberry Rose, Orange, Lemon Lime and Wild Berry. What’s interesting from a business perspective is how Poppi fits perfectly into the UK trend for functional beverages. Consumers aren’t just looking for “less sugar” anymore — they’re after drinks that claim added benefits, whether that’s energy, immunity, or now gut health. And retailers love a product that looks good on shelves and taps into a growing market. Poppi’s launch also signals a strategic shift for PepsiCo. Rather than trying to reinvent older brands, they’re investing in new ones that already have cultural momentum. If Poppi performs like it did in the States, we could soon see the big UK players reacting quickly, especially in the premium soft drink category. It’s always fascinating to see how quickly the soft drinks market evolves. One big launch can set the tone for the year ahead — and Poppi might just be the brand to watch in 2026. In terms of pricing, Poppi will sell in 330ml cans, both individually and in four‑packs. Recommended pricing sits at £2.59 per can and £7.79 for multipacks, putting Poppi firmly in the premium soft drinks bracket.

BBQ - With its premium pricing and gut‑health positioning, do you think Poppi will become a UK staple — or will it remain a niche American import?

Poppi

Dyson Settle Employment Lawsuit

 

Electronics appliance maker Dyson has agreed to settle a lawsuit filed against it by 24 migrant workers, who alleged they were subjected to forced and abusive treatment in a Malaysian factory making the firm's parts. The workers, from Nepal and Bangladesh, sued the firm in 2022 and described being subject to what amounted to modern day slavery. Dyson has denied any liability. When the case was brought it said it had been previously unaware of the alleged abuses, and the Malaysia supplier should be held responsible instead. The case is significant for establishing the precedent that allegations against foreign companies supplying British manufacturers can be judged in an English court. The workers described being threatened and beaten, having their passports withheld, and being forced to work long hours in unsanitary conditions. According to their lawyers, from Leigh Day, they were denied toilet breaks and forced to work "upwards of 12 hours at a time without relieving themselves". Under the terms of the settlement the details of any compensation to the workers are not being disclosed. They both also said the settlement was not an admission of liability on Dyson's part. The company had earlier argued that the case should be heard in Malaysia, not Britain. But the Supreme Court agreed that the trial could take place in an English court, setting a precedent that British companies can be held to account in the UK for actions taken by suppliers in another country.

BBQ - Should the Malaysian supplier or Dyson be held accountable for breaking Employment Law?

Dyson

Burger King Customer Service AI

 

Burger King is testing artificial intelligence-powered employee headsets that monitor staff interactions with customers and oversee store operations. The AI system, called BK Assistant, compiles "friendliness scores" at the fast-food chain's locations based on employees' conversations. The chain is currently piloting the system at 500 US restaurants, a spokesperson for Burger King said. The company says the technology is not designed to "record conversations or evaluate individual employees". An AI chat-bot dubbed "Patty", embedded in the headsets, answers questions from employees about how to prepare menu items and flags when a product needs restocking. But its ability to monitor restaurant staff tees up a debate about surveillance. Burger King's chief digital officer told online publication The Verge that the fast-food outlet had trained the OpenAI-powered system to identify terms including "please" and "thank you" in order to evaluate staff friendliness. The system analyses audio from drive-thru interactions. All US Burger King restaurants are poised to have access to the BK Assistant AI platform by the end of 2026, a company spokesperson told the BBC.

BBQ - Is this a good use of AI for business or is it crossing the line for monitoring staff?

Meet Patty

Tesco Clubcard for Under 18s

Tesco intends to make its Clubcard available to under-18s this year, the supermarket said. Its loyalty scheme allows shoppers to get discounts on thousands of products, including its popular meal deals, and collect points which can be turned into vouchers. Loyalty cards are a way for retailers to collect data on what customers are buying and offer them more at lower prices. It allows them to compete for customers as rising food prices squeeze margins. The average person has loyalty cards for three supermarkets, data from research firm Kantar suggests. Most of the biggest UK supermarkets require shoppers to be 18 or over to sign up for their rewards schemes. Asked why most big UK supermarkets don't already allow under-18s to sign up to these schemes, he said there had been concerns about data protection for minors.But he added that if people younger than this can hold bank accounts, access social media and the internet, drive a car and get married, "they should also be able to buy food for themselves and those they may care for, at the most competitive prices".

BBQ - Would you sign-up to a Tesco loyalty card?

Tesco Loyalty

Big Brands Ditch Chicken Pledge

Major restaurant chains, including KFC, have ditched a commitment to improve chicken sourcing standards in the UK as poultry demand soars. Eight restaurant groups, which also include the owners of Burger King and Nando's, have left the Better Chicken Commitment (BCC), in which they pledged to stop using fast-growing chickens, for an industry-led plan without that commitment. Animal welfare groups say fast-growing "franken-chickens" mature quicker but also have higher rates of premature death and muscle disease.Trade body UKHospitality said the industry-led plan will help restaurant firms reduce emissions and meet surging demand for the lean protein while ensuring secure supply chains. The BBC understands the famous chicken chain owned by Yum Brands buys about 4% of the UK chicken supply. An industry source said there is not yet a large enough supply of slower-growing poultry in the UK. However, animal welfare group Anima International said the change was "about money and nothing else". Its UK chief executive Connor Jackson said the companies' explanation for leaving is rubbish.

BBQ - Have businesses put profit over ethics with this decision? What would be the impact of this?

Chicken Supply Chain

 

Pandora to switch from silver to platinum

 

Jeweller Pandora has said it will switch from using silver in some of its ranges to platinum-plating following a dramatic increase in prices. Silver prices have more than doubled over the past year with other precious metals such as gold also surging. Pandora's chief executive Berta de Pablos-Barbier said the aim was not to make all jewellery platinum-plated, but silver will be reduced to around 25% of its goods to reduce its exposure to the metal given the recent volatility. The Danish firm, one of the world's biggest jewellery retailers, currently makes the majority of its products from silver. Although platinum is more expensive than silver per ounce, Pandora said it will create an alloy, which would make it cheaper to use. It said over time, parts of its silver ranges will shift to platinum-plated, using its own metal alloy called Evershine, which it already uses for its gold-plated products. Pandora is well known for its charm bracelets. Chief executive de Pablos-Barbier said that around 60% of its business was currently in silver. Silver prices hit record highs in January before falling back, but remains elevated compared to last year. Pandora said that it would introduce the new platinum-plated range in 2026 before rolling it out more broadly.

BBQ - Will this switch in supplier impact the customer perception of the brand?

Pandora

Aldi Store Protest

About 160 people have taken part in a protest in Cornwall over plans to build an Aldi supermarket on a green field used by a local rugby club. The food retailer has announced a £10m investment plan for the supermarket in Saltash, on ground used by Saltash Rugby Club for youth training.Elliott Saunders, real estate director for Aldi, said the retailer was "listening and reviewing feedback from the community" with plans to "agree appropriate measures to mitigate any loss of open space" in its planning application. Thompson, who organised the protest, said the turnout was "fantastic" and "really impactful". He added "I think it sent a very clear message to Aldi, Cornwall Council and Saltash Town Council that an Aldi store is not wanted on that green space." Saunders said the project team at Aldi was carrying out a "detailed audit of current and future open space provision" in Saltash. "Once this has been carried out, it is our aim to work alongside the council and key stakeholders, including Saltash Rugby Club, to agree appropriate measures to mitigate any loss of open space. He added: "Our proposal for Saltash represents a £10m investment: creating around 40 new, local jobs with sector-leading pay, and improving access to Aldi's award-winning range of high-quality food at low prices."

BBQ - How can you apply the concept of stakeholder conflict to this?

Aldi Saltash

Walmart Becomes First $1tn Valued Retailer

Walmart has become the first traditional retailer to hit a $1tn (£730bn) market valuation, propelling it into a small group dominated by tech firms. The milestone reflects the US retail giant's booming e-commerce business and its success in drawing in price-conscious shoppers. Wall Street has also responded enthusiastically to its investments in artificial intelligence (AI). Walmart joins an elite club of mostly tech firms, including Nvidia and Alphabet, with valuations over $1tn. The company's share price, which has soared in recent months, rose by more than 3% on Tuesday. Walmart is the biggest brick-and-mortar retailer in the US and is known for its low prices. It has benefited from a trend of higher earners trading down to lower-priced items, as the jobs market cools and inflation persists. Its speedy home delivery offering has also enticed shoppers from households across income brackets. Walmart's online business has helped it emerge as a competitor to Amazon. E-commerce sales in the US jumped 28% in the three months to 31 October, propelled by online orders and advertising. Still, Amazon's market value currently stands at $2.6tn - more than double Walmart's. Wall Street investors have embraced Walmart's adoption of AI, helping push the company's valuation to new highs. The firm reached the $1tn milestone during chief executive John Furner's first week at the helm of the company. Furner has been a vocal backer of its AI investments.

BBQ - What factors cause the change in share price for businesses?

Walmart $1tn

F1 Kit Kat

KitKat’s new global partnership with Formula 1 marks a strategic move to align the brand with one of the world’s fastest‑growing sports, strengthening its visibility across key international markets. By launching an industry‑first chocolate product shaped like an F1 car, Nestlé is showcasing its investment in advanced R&D and high‑precision manufacturing—differentiating KitKat through innovation and reinforcing its position in a competitive confectionery landscape. The collaboration also unlocks significant consumer‑engagement opportunities, with integrated activity planned across trackside branding, retail promotions, social media, exclusive merchandise and targeted advertising around Drive to Survive. This 360° approach aims to deepen brand relevance among younger audiences and drive incremental sales throughout the 2026 season. With nationwide distribution for the new product in the UK and Ireland, KitKat is positioning itself for strong commercial impact as the partnership rolls out.

BBQ - Do you think this will be a successful product for Nestle?

F1 Kit Kat

Pepsi Swipe At Coca-Cola in Superbowl Ad

While excitement circles around the event’s musical performances and the match between the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks, there’s certainly a viewer or two eager to see what the commercial lineup is. Pepsi’s Super Bowl LX spot, “The Choice,” directed by Academy Award®–winning filmmaker Taika Waititi, puts taste to the test as a cola‑loving polar bear takes the iconic Pepsi Challenge—and chooses Pepsi Zero Sugar. The spot brings the Pepsi Paradox to life, proving once again that when labels disappear, Pepsi wins on taste. According to Pepsi, the idea for the bear’s taste test came from real data from its 2025 Pepsi Challenge. Last year, the company conducted Pepsi Challenges across 34 markets, with 66% of participants preferring Pepsi Zero Sugar to Coke Zero Sugar in taste tests. Showcasing the brand’s success, Reyna noted that Pepsi Zero Sugar had 30.8% growth in the Zero Sugar Cola category in 2025. The marketing exec explained that the polar bear in the ad is “just another cola lover that represents the vast majority of Americans.”  Last year, when the Kansas City Chiefs met the Philadelphia Eagles, a record audience of 127.7 million people tuned in. Ahead of Super Bowl LX on NBC, which will be contested between the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks on February 8, Bloomberg reports that the cost of a 30-second ad has reached a high of $10 million.

BBQ - Is the cost of a SuperBowl Ad worth it? How would you prove it?

Pepsi Advert

Viral Crying Horse

A frowning horse plush has become a viral bestseller ahead of Lunar New Year celebrations for the year of the horse in China. The sad-looking soft toy was originally made in error after a worker sewed a smile on the horse upside down. Zhang Huoqing had expected to have to issue a refund to the customer who bought the toy, but after an image of it started circulating online the horse began selling out. The newspaper says the horse is about 20cm (7.8in) tall and costs 25 yuan (£2.62). It is red for good luck, with a golden collar and bell around its neck, and has the phrase "money comes quickly" embroidered on its body in golden letters. "A lot of customers like it, and they said it makes sense: that it suits the spirit of today's corporate slaves," Zhang said. "This crying horse really fits the reality of modern working people," she added. "People joked that the crying horse is how you look at work, while the smiling one is how you look after work." Zhang's factory has surged production to meet demand - including from other countries, according to media reports. Lunar New Year will be celebrated in February to usher in the year of the horse - one of 12 animals repeated in a cycle under the Chinese zodiac calendar.

Crying Horse