The Which? Shoddies 2026: the biggest brand fails this year - Which?

Which? is set to release its “Shoddies 2026,” an annual podcast and awards segment that spotlights companies judged to be failing consumers across categories such as safety, customer service, and pricing. The program is presented by James Rowe and features Megan Thomas, a senior researcher at Which?, who explains how nominations are collected and assessed throughout the year. According to the article, Which? runs tests and surveys and uses investigative journalists, then convenes a panel of judges to review nominations and select winners. The broadcast notes that Shoddies span multiple sectors, from car companies and airlines to high-street retailers and telecom providers. Rowe frames the awards as complementary to Which?’s positive endorsements, saying the goal is to highlight what requires improvement. The full transcript is referenced as available through the Shoddies 2026 podcast page.