IT’S HAPPENING. Spring has officially sprung, the clocks have gone forward, and if you’ve already powered through your emergency stash of Mini Eggs – we’re not judging. It’s the perfect time to shake off the winter chill and gear up for the months ahead. And with Q2 already well underway, now’s the time to shift focus and plan for what’s next.
So, whether you're counting down to the next bank holiday weekend, or just counting pallets, we’ve got the latest from the employment, FMCG, manufacturing, warehousing, and waste and recycling sectors to keep you in the loop. Grab a brew, take five, and let’s dive in.
Employment
Universal is bringing the magic to the UK with its first European theme park, set to open near Bedford in 2031. The project will create 28,000 jobs across construction, hospitality, and the creative industries, with 80% of roles expected to go to local workers. Alongside the rides and attractions, the site will include a 500-room hotel and retail complex. With planning set to be submitted soon and construction kicking off next year, this is set to be a game-changer for the region - and a huge lift for the UK job market. Read more here.
FMCG
Following President Trump’s announcement of a 10% tariff on UK imports to the US, industries including grocery, agriculture, and alcohol are bracing for the impact. Supermarkets might not face direct challenges, but rising global costs could create ripple effects. Even M&S’s beloved Percy Pigs aren’t safe. After the iconic product landed in the US on 30 March, their American shelf life could be short-lived as tariffs threaten to push up prices and send them packing. With global growth forecasts downgraded, businesses are being urged to stay proactive in managing the uncertainties caused by the tariffs. Read about the impacts here.
Unless you’ve been living under a rock (or avoiding social media), you’ve probably caught wind of the Dubai chocolate craze. Created by British-Egyptian Sarah Hamouda in 2021, the pistachio and tahini-filled bar exploded in popularity at the end of last year, after a single TikTok video racked up over a whopping 120 million views. Now, it’s available everywhere from Lidl to Waitrose, with luxury brands like Lindt even jumping on the bandwagon. But viral success has a downside - turns out the world really did go nuts for it. A poor US harvest, limited shell-free supply, and a buying spree from chocolatiers have pushed pistachio prices up, with Iran increasing exports to the UAE by 40% to meet demand. Some shops are even rationing the bar - all thanks to the treat that broke the internet…and cracked the supply chain too! Read more about it here.
Warehousing and logistics
M&S is making moves in its supply chain with a massive new 390,000 sq. ft. distribution centre in Avonmouth, set to open in 2026. Nestled between its existing Bristol and Portbury sites, the depot will help keep shelves stocked across the Midlands, South West, and South Wales. It’s also M&S’s greenest food depot yet, complete with solar panels and EV infrastructure. The investment is all part of a bigger plan to streamline logistics, cut costs, and future-proof operations. Read more here.
Manufacturing
Nova Tissue is on a roll after a £1m machinery upgrade that’s already boosted production by 25% and improved efficiency across the board. The Oldham-based firm, which makes 68 million toilet and kitchen rolls a year for retailers, wholesalers, and even local foodbanks, has brought in a new OM1 Bundler and Rewinder Line to streamline output. The kit’s not only speeding things up - it’s also improving product quality and reducing packaging use. With capacity up, they’ve secured more business from a major UK supermarket, hired five new staff, and are targeting a £2m jump in turnover this year. To find out more, click here.
In an extraordinary move, the UK government has stepped in to take control of British Steel’s Scunthorpe site after emergency legislation was rushed through Parliament. The move prevents owners Jingye from shutting down its blast furnaces - something that would have ended primary steelmaking in the UK. With 2,700 jobs on the line, nationalisation now looks likely, as ministers say the intervention is about protecting critical infrastructure and securing the UK’s ability to produce its own steel - though critics have questioned why similar action wasn’t taken when Port Talbot Steelworks closed last year, or as Grangemouth Oil refinery heads for shutdown this summer. Click to read more.
Waste and recycling
Last month, the first phase of the government’s 'simpler recycling' reforms came into effect for businesses in England. From now on, workplaces with 10 or more employees must separate food waste, non-recyclables, and dry recyclables such as plastics, metal, glass, paper, and card. While the aim is to streamline recycling and improve rates across the UK, some waste specialists are concerned that businesses haven’t been given enough information about the new rules. With further reforms coming in 2026 and 2027, including requirements for household waste and micro-firms, the government is pushing for a greener, more circular economy. But as the rules take effect, there’s still some confusion about how businesses should comply and what penalties they might face for getting it wrong. Learn more here.
DS Smith, the fibre-based packaging solutions provider, has partnered with Priméale, a subsidiary of the French agricultural and food processing group Agrial, to develop plastic-free, fully recyclable packaging for their ‘Vegetable Kit’ range. The new punnets, made from corrugated cardboard with a transparent cellulose hydrate lid, are designed to protect fresh produce while offering excellent visibility on supermarket shelves. The packaging is fully recyclable and includes a moisture barrier for direct contact with fresh food. This innovation supports both companies' commitment to sustainable packaging solutions and responds to growing consumer demand for eco-friendly, plastic-free options in food packaging. Read more about this here.
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