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Welcome to The Checkout by Kuro House, your daily dose of AI and tech updates. Today, we’ve got some intriguing moves in retail, supply chains, and even burgers. Let’s dive right in.

First up, the Which? Awards 2026 shortlist is out, and it features some big names you know well. According to Retail Gazette, John Lewis, Aldi, and Samsung are all in the running for top honors. John Lewis was praised for combining superb value with first-class customer service, while Aldi impressed with the highest number of Great Value products across many categories. Samsung earned top marks for home appliances and tech, including refurbished items. Winners will be announced on May 14th, and these endorsements could be a real boost for the brands in a challenging market.

Next, the ongoing conflict in the Middle East is already impacting retail giants like Next. Retail Gazette reports that Next expects the war to add £15 million to its costs, assuming the conflict lasts three months. The company is currently offsetting these extra expenses but warns that if the conflict drags on, prices for customers will have to rise. Despite this, Next has raised its profit guidance to £1.2 billion for the coming year, thanks to strong revenues and overseas sales. CEO Lord Simon Wolfson noted that much depends on how long the conflict persists and the damage to energy infrastructure.

Now, on a tastier note, Honest Burgers has just won big at this year’s National Burger Awards. Retail Times tells us that their debut entry, The Honest burger, took the top prize. This limited-edition burger features dry-aged British beef, thick-cut Wiltshire bacon, and house-made relish, and will be available nationwide this May and June. Honest Burgers is celebrating its 15-year anniversary and expanding rapidly, with new locations opening across London and the South West. The brand’s Smash + Grab format and digital app are also gaining strong traction, pushing growth toward 2030.

So, what ties these stories together? It’s clear that brands are navigating complex challenges while innovating and expanding. From supply chain pressures to consumer value and even culinary creativity, the landscape is shifting fast. We’ll keep tracking these developments and bring you the latest. Thanks for listening to The Checkout by Kuro House. Catch you tomorrow.