Just Eat & Autotrader Fake Reviews

 

Food delivery giant Just Eat and motoring site Autotrader are among five firms being investigated as part of a probe into fake and misleading online reviews by the UK's competition watchdog. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), which is also investigating reviews site Feefo, funeral firm Dignity and Pasta Evangelists, is looking at whether they have broken consumer law. The investigation will focus on how reviews are obtained, moderated and presented to customers. Online reviews influence billions of pounds of spending each year, yet many consumers worry about misleading content online. Under new powers announced in 2024 the CMA can fine firms for violating consumer law, without needing to go through the courts. While the CMA is investigating the five businesses, it said it had "not reached any conclusions about whether consumer law has been broken". With household budgets under pressure, people need to know they're getting genuine information – not reviews or star-ratings that have been manipulated to push them towards the wrong choice.

BBQ - How much do other customer reviews influence your purchase?

Fake Reviews

Huel bought by Danone for €1bn

 

The British meal supplement maker Huel is being bought by Danone for €1bn (£864m). Founded in Buckinghamshire in 2014, Huel is best known for its shake powder, which it says is a nutritionally complete replacement for a regular meal. Its investors include actor Idris Elba and broadcaster Jonathan Ross. It has since expanded its range to include ready meals, nutrition bars, and health drinks, all of which are plant based. The company has previously got into hot water with the UK advertising watchdog, which has banned some of its adverts for making "misleading" claims. One such advert made misleading claims about the cost savings associated with replacing a normal diet with meal replacement shakes, the watchdog said. Huel (a portmanteau of "human" and "fuel") products are mostly sold direct to consumer, with some sales from shops and supermarkets, but it said the Danone deal would allow it to expand into new markets. The market for so-called complete nutrition products, aimed at time-poor, health-conscious consumers, is thought to be worth $5.9bn (£4.4bn). The deal is subject to closing conditions including regulatory approval. Danone is best known for its yoghurt drinks – in addition to its Danone-branded drinks, it also owns Actimel, Activia and Alpro.

BBQ - Is this a good deal for Danone?

Danone

Minecraft World

 
A Minecraft world is set to open at Chessington World of Adventures in 2027. The attraction, which is officially called "Minecraft World", will be the first of its kind in the world, based entirely on the game. For anyone who hasn't played, Minecraft is a video game where players explore block-shaped worlds, build structures and go on adventures. As of last year it has sold more than 350 million copies and is the best‑selling video game of all time.The new Minecraft World will aim to bring parts of the game into real life, including its environments, known as "biomes", and its creatures, called "mobs". Visitors to the theme park, based in south-west London, will be able to try several new attractions. These include a rollercoaster described as a "world-first Minecraft coaster", as well as interactive activities and play areas built to look like the game. There will also be themed shops and places to eat. But all of that isn't cheap, the project is expected to cost £50 million to create. Theme park operator, Merlin entertainments described it as one of their "most ambitious theme park developments in recent years".

BBQ - How do you think they made this decision to go for Minecraft?

Minecraft World

Joybuy Launches in UK

A Chinese online retailer that is seeking to challenge the likes of Amazon is launching in the UK. JD.com announced its new Joybuy platform will run from distribution sites in Milton Keynes and Luton. The company sells technology, home appliances, beauty products, homewares and groceries. The move comes after the £30bn e-commerce firm pulled out of talks to buy Currys in 2024 and Argos last year. US and Hong-Kong listed JD.com is China's largest retailer by revenue. It said it would offer next-day delivery to about 17 million UK households from its launch. Bosses said the business planned to establish itself in the UK for "a long time" and they believed a combination of its product range, value and convenience would entice new customers. Matthew Nobbs, managing director of Joybuy UK, said the firm was confident about its growth prospects in the country. The company is simultaneously launching in six new European markets, with the others being Germany, the Netherlands, France, Belgium and Luxembourg.

BBQ - Is it possible for Joybuy to rival Amazon?

JoyBuy

Bentley Workers 'shocked and angry' at Job Cuts

Workers at luxury car maker Bentley have been left shocked and angry after the firm announced up to 275 job losses, a union has said. The manufacturer, based in Crewe, Cheshire, confirmed the cuts after it saw its operating profits fall to £187m in 2025 - a 42% drop when compared to 2024. Bentley said it was part of "overall efficiency activities", which would affect management, agency and non-manufacturing employees, but investment would continue at its Pyms Lane site. Karen Lewis, regional officer at the GMB union, told BBC Radio Stoke: "[The workers] are very shocked but also quite angry as well." She said the company was one of the biggest employers in the area, with people commuting from Liverpool and further afield to work there. "People are obviously upset and angry because they see the bonuses that have been paid to managers over the years," she said. Lewis said the industry had "taken a beating" since the Covid pandemic and it had also been affected by US President Donald Trump's tariffs. "But the rich are still buying cars," she added, "and it's our members, the workforce, who are still working day-in, day-out to create these luxury cars. So this has come as a big shock." Bentley chief executive and chairman Dr Frank-Steffen Walliser said the company was investing in its factory "at unprecedented levels", but needed to make "some difficult decisions" to ensure its long-term competitiveness. "I want to express my sincere appreciation to those affected - we are committed to supporting each individual with care, guidance and assistance throughout this transition," he added.

BBQ - How will these job cuts impact motivation for the remaining workforce?

Bentley

KFC Pickle Menu

The nation has gone pickle-mad, and KFC is officially giving them their moment to shine. From 23rd March, KFC is launching a full-on Pickle takeover across restaurants nationwide – dialling up the tang, the crunch and the briny goodness for four weeks only. This is not a polite little gherkin on the side.It’s pickles in their main-character era, paired with KFC’s iconic fried chicken – a match made in heaven. Straight from your For You Page to your cup, the Pickle Pepsi Max taps into the viral pickle-drink obsession. Served with a side of pickle juice, you can mix in as much as you like for a fizzy, customisable mash-up. Big on crunch, tang and full-on flavour, the takeover is all about giving pickle fans exactly what they’ve been craving. And the timing couldn’t be better. The UK is currently in the grip of full-size pickle-mania. On TikTok, #pickles has racked up billions of views, fuelling viral taste tests, fried-pickle hacks, pickle juice shots and chaotic kitchen experiments. 

BBQ - Will this viral pickle menu be a success for KFC or a gimmick?

KFC Pickle

Environmental Nappy

Globally, its estimated that 300,000 disposable nappies are sent to landfill or incinerated every minute, leading to environmental issues as many contain plastics and synthetic materials and can take hundreds of years to decompose. While there's sustainable alternatives such as washable nappies, the effort and cost limits how widely they're used. Over the years many start-ups have marketed greener alternatives to disposable nappies. Can the latest make an impression? Texas-based company Hiro Technologies has created unbleached disposable diapers that comes with a packet of fungi which is added to the used diaper when it's ready to be thrown away. The fungi are able to break down and digest the diaper over time, says co-founder Miki Agrawa, who started the brand after being shocked by how many nappies her son was going through. The diapers cost $136 (£100) for a month's supply, though there is a subscription price of $199. That's significantly more than regular disposables, which are estimated to cost cost around $70 a month.Is the price out of range for most parents? Price tags aside, Sonali Jagadev, senior research analyst at Euromonitor, says progress in creating a more innovative and sustainable nappy remains slow and uneven due to several factors including high production costs and supply chain constraints. And, of course, there are consumer priorities. "Parents continue to prioritise performance, hygiene and convenience over sustainability, meaning brands take a risk if greener solutions compromise any of these core expectations."

BBQ - Do you think there will ever be enough demand for a sustainable nappy?

Hiro Nappies

, externalto cost around $70 a m

Denby Appoint Adiministrators

 

Derbyshire’s historic pottery firm Denby, which has been producing ceramics for more than two centuries, has announced plans to appoint administrators, describing the move as a precautionary step taken in response to mounting financial pressures. The company explained that rapidly rising energy costs and increasing employment expenses have placed significant strain on its operations, prompting it to seek short‑term protection while options for securing the business’s future are explored. Despite its long heritage and established reputation, Denby stated that these escalating costs have “squeezed the business financially,” making the decision necessary to stabilise the company as it evaluates potential funding or restructuring solutions. Union representatives have described the situation as a “worrying time” for workers, while local political figures have urged for urgent support — particularly in tackling high industrial energy costs — to help safeguard the future of this iconic British ceramics brand

BBQ - What would the impact be on different stakeholders if Denby closed?

Denby Administrators

John Lewis Bring Back Bonus

 

John Lewis is awarding its staff a bonus for the first time in four years as the retailer continues its turnaround. The partnership, which operates the eponymous department store chain and Waitrose supermarkets, said underlying profits had grown during its last financial year. The 2% bonus, equivalent to an extra week's pay, will be the first its staff have received since 2022. It was scrapped during the Covid pandemic when the business underwent a major revamp which included shutting shops and cutting jobs. Looking ahead, John Lewis said it remained "cautious" for the current year but was in a stronger position financially "to navigate the challenging macroeconomic environment". The latest results show the business reported a pre-tax loss of £21m, due to £120m worth of one-off costs which mainly related to write-downs in the value of old tech systems. But underlying profits rose 6% to £134m. Sales across the business rose by 5% to £13.4bn. Sales growth was higher at Waitrose compared to John Lewis. Supermarket sales grew by 7% to £8.5bn in the year to the end of January compared to a 3% increase to £4.9bn at its department stores.

BBQ - Is a bonus the best way of motivating staff?

John Lewis Bonus

Poppeggs!

Valeo Foods UK has announced the launch of Poppeggs, a new seasonal chocolate product under its Poppets brand, arriving in stores for Easter 2026. Poppeggs were designed to meet growing shopper demand for affordable, smaller-format seasonal treats, suitable for multiple occasions including snacking, sharing and gifting. The product’s straightforward format and familiar taste profile make it an easy, low-risk addition to the Easter aisle. Available in an 80g bag (£1.50 RRP), Poppeggs sit firmly within the mainstream Easter chocolate price bracket, offering strong value compared with similar solid chocolate products. The format supports impulse purchase as well as family sharing, helping retailers maximise basket spend across the seasonal period. The launch reflects continued growth in shareable and value-led seasonal confectionery, particularly as shoppers remain price-conscious. Marketing support will focus on in-store visibility, seasonal aisle activation and retailer digital channels, supported by light social activity to drive awareness and footfall. 

BBQ - With a price almost one third cheaper than Cadburys will people switch brand?

Poppets

Aston Martin Must Adapt

It is the firm famed for making the car James Bond drives, but its history has been almost as turbulent as some of the adventures of the Ian Fleming hero. Aston Martin confirmed this week it would be cutting a fifth of its workforce, after the firm's net losses jumped by more than 50% last year. Bosses at the luxury car firm blamed its woes on US president Donald Trump's tariffs in a statement made last month. Experts believe Aston Martin, which is headquartered in Gaydon, Warwickshire, was particularly susceptible to those headwinds but believed there were opportunities for its fortunes to be revived once again. Its troubles come at a time when the car industry is facing one of the most difficult periods in its history, according to former Aston Martin CEO Andy Palmer. He said car makers were having to adapt to manufacturing electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids, as well as changes in consumer behaviour. He added that China was the largest automotive market in the world and that vehicles produced there were now competing within the luxury market traditionally occupied by the likes of McLaren and Aston Martin. Sales of Aston Martin vehicles helped make the West Midlands the UK's largest exporting region to America. The firm's success was also critical to supporting the wider supply chain in the region, with many local firms providing parts for the vehicles. He believed Aston Martin would now need to collaborate more with larger companies like Mercedes, to access technology it would otherwise struggle to develop on its own, in order to return it to a more profitable position.

BBQ - What will happen if Aston Martin fail to adapt?

Aston Martin

Seedance

A new artificial intelligence (AI) model developed by the Chinese company behind TikTok rocked Hollywood this week - not just because of what it can do, but what it could mean for creative industries. Created by tech giant ByteDance, Seedance 2.0 can generate cinema-quality video, complete with sound effects and dialogue, from just a few written prompts. Many of the clips said to have been made using Seedance, and featuring popular characters like Spider-Man and Deadpool, went viral. Major studios like Disney and Paramount quickly accused ByteDance of copyright infringement but concerns about the technology run deeper than legal issues. Seedance was launched to little fanfare in June 2025 but it is the second version that came eight months later that has caused a major stir. Many industry experts and filmmakers believe Seedance is a new chapter in the development of video-generating technology. Seedance has run into trouble over copyright issues, a growing challenge in the age of AI. Experts warn that AI companies are prioritising technology over people as they make more powerful tools and use data without paying for it. In the year since Beijing has put AI and robotics at the core of its economic strategy, investing heavily in advanced computer chip production, automation and generative AI as it bids for a technological edge over the US.

BBQ - How worried should Hollywood be about the continued advancement in AI?

Seedance