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Welcome to The Checkout by Kuro House, your daily AI update. Today, we’ve got some exciting moves from retail and tech sectors that you won’t want to miss. From new product launches to leadership changes and regulatory rulings, let’s dive right in.
First up, Five Guys is shaking up the fry game with a brand-new offering called Loaded Fries. According to Retail Times, starting December 9th, fans can enjoy hand-cut fries topped with hot cheese sauce, secret fry sauce, and up to 14 customizable toppings. With over 131,000 possible combinations, this is Five Guys’ first-ever food menu addition, promising a flavor explosion for every taste bud. Available nationwide in the UK for dine-in and takeaway, these Loaded Fries are set to be a festive season hit.
In corporate news, Ocado Group has appointed Cathy Graham as an Independent non-executive director starting February 2026. Retail Sector reports that Graham brings extensive experience from her time as CFO at Darktrace, a leader in autonomous cyber AI, and her work with high-growth tech companies. She will join Ocado’s People and Audit Committees, adding valuable expertise in technology and finance as Ocado expands globally. Both Ocado’s chairman and CEO praised her leadership and vision for this exciting phase of growth.
Pharmacy2U, the UK’s largest online pharmacy, has just earned B Corp status, becoming the only online pharmacy in the UK with this certification. Retail Times highlights that Pharmacy2U scored 91.4 points on the B Impact Assessment, well above the 80-point certification threshold. This recognizes their commitment to social and environmental responsibility, transparency, and accountability across governance, workers, community, environment, and customers. The company is focused on sustainable growth while improving health outcomes, reducing waste, and supporting employee wellbeing.
Turning to retail sales, the British Retail Consortium and KPMG have released data showing that UK retail revenues grew just 1.4% year on year over November. Retail Gazette reports this marks the weakest growth in six months, despite rising inflation and pre-budget jitters affecting Black Friday sales. Food sales grew 3%, while non-food sales barely moved, with online non-food sales up only 0.5% compared to a big drop last year. The BRC’s CEO emphasized the need for public policy to boost consumer confidence and reduce business costs to support economic recovery in 2026.
Finally, the Advertising Standards Authority has banned a series of adverts from supplement retailers claiming to treat autism and ADHD symptoms. Retail Gazette details how ads from EllaOla, Get Dopa, and Healthbio were investigated and banned for making unauthorized medicinal claims. The ASA found that these ads breached rules prohibiting food supplements from claiming to prevent, cure, or treat diseases. Each company has removed the offending ads and committed to compliance with advertising standards going forward.
That’s a wrap for today’s update on The Checkout. From tasty new menu items to leadership moves and regulatory actions, it’s clear that innovation and compliance go hand in hand in today’s market. Thanks for tuning in, and we’ll catch you again tomorrow with more AI-powered insights.
