It can be difficult imagining just how big some of the world’s corporate behemoths really are.
To help bring them to life, we thought we’d share some recent data calculations that show just how much money these companies can spend without even noticing.
From toilet breaks to baseballs, these are just some of the weird and wonderful ways in which the world’s businesses are spending obscene amounts of money.
The NHS once wasted over £840,000 a year on paper payslips
Serving a country who’s population exceeds 65 million, the NHS now employs around 1.5 million staff across the UK – making it one of the largest employers in the world. With a budget exceeding £190 billion, even seemingly minor inefficiencies can add up fast. Back in 2015, the NHS was spending over £843,000 annually printing and distributing paper payslips. That changed with the shift to digital alternatives – an early example of how modernisation can reduce waste and improve operational efficiency. While the saving may seem small in the context of the overall budget, it reflects a broader truth: in a system under constant scrutiny, every pound must be justified.
The UK Government could be missing out on £1.5 billion a year by not legalising and taxing cannabis
Still a contentious issue, but from a purely economic standpoint, the case for cannabis legalisation is gaining momentum. According to a report, a legally regulated cannabis market in the UK could generate up to £1.5 billion annually through a combination of tax revenue and criminal justice savings. That includes:
- £1.1 billion in potential tax revenue from VAT, excise duties, and corporate taxes
- £284 million in savings across policing, courts, and prisons
- Over 15,000 full-time jobs created across cultivation, retail, and ancillary services
The real question is no longer if the UK can afford to legalise cannabis – but whether it can afford not to. In a time of budgetary pressure and public service strain, that untapped revenue is going somewhere – it’s just not into the public purse.
Unnecessary emails could cost Aviva over £70 million a year in lost productivity
Just because you’re at work doesn’t mean you’re always getting work done – and email remains one of the biggest culprits. In 2025, it’s estimated that employees spend around 13% of their working time dealing with unnecessary emails. With 29,091 employees and an average UK salary of approximately £37,430, that equates to a potential productivity loss of over £70.8 million annually for a company the size of Aviva. It’s a stark reminder that digital clutter isn’t just annoying – it’s expensive. Streamlining communication and reducing inbox noise could unlock significant savings and sharper focus across the business.
Hays plc could be losing over £53 million a year to unproductive meetings
With 91% of employees admitting to daydreaming during meetings – and 39% confessing to nodding off – it’s no surprise that poorly run meetings remain one of the biggest drains on business productivity. In 2025, Hays plc employs approximately 11,120 people. With the UK’s average full-time salary now at £37,430, the estimated cost of time lost to unproductive meetings could exceed £53.9 million annually – assuming just 31% of working hours are spent in meetings that fail to deliver value. That’s not just a scheduling issue – it’s a strategic one. For a company built on talent and efficiency, reclaiming even a fraction of that time could unlock significant gains in focus, output, and morale.
Samsung could be overspending by more than £720,000 a year by renting in London instead of Manchester
In a post-Brexit economy where every line item is under scrutiny, office rent remains one of the most immediate opportunities for cost reduction. For a global brand like Samsung, maintaining a central London presence comes at a premium – averaging £89 per square foot in 2025, compared to £50 in Manchester. With a typical corporate footprint of around 18,000 square feet, that’s a potential annual saving of over £720,000 simply by relocating. While prestige and proximity to partners may justify the cost for some, the numbers speak for themselves: location strategy is now a bottom-line issue.
Barnardo’s could waste £10,200 a year due to dirty data in direct mail campaigns
Data has a shelf life – and in 2025, that expiry date is shorter than ever. With approximately 10% of the UK population moving home each year, outdated addresses and unverified records continue to drain marketing budgets. For a national charity like Barnardo’s, failing to regularly cleanse its data could result in more than £10,200 in wasted spend over the course of a year-long direct mail campaign. That’s money lost to undelivered mail, missed engagement, and avoidable print and postage costs – at a time when every pound should be driving impact.
The UK still loses over £60 million a year to 1p and 2p coins
In 2025, the humble penny is worth so little that even if you found one every five seconds, you’d barely scrape the national living wage. Despite declining usage, the UK continues to mint and circulate 1p and 2p coins – at a cost that adds up fast. According to long-standing estimates, the UK economy loses over £60 million annually through the production, distribution, and eventual loss of these low-value coins. With rising metal prices, inflation, and the shift toward digital payments, many argue it’s time to phase them out entirely. It’s a small coin with a surprisingly big footprint – financially and environmentally.
Asda could be losing over £34.5 million a year to toilet time
It might not be the most glamorous line item, but employee toilet breaks come with a real cost. In 2025, Asda employs approximately 145,000 people across the UK. With the average UK salary now at £37,430, and assuming each employee spends eight minutes per day on a “No. 2” during paid hours, the maths adds up quickly. Here’s the breakdown:
- 8 minutes/day × 5 days/week × 52 weeks = 2,080 minutes/year (or ~34.7 hours)
- £37,430 ÷ 52 weeks ÷ 37.5 hours/week = £19.20/hour
- 34.7 hours × £19.20 = £666.24 per employee/year
- £666.24 × 145,000 employees = £96,622,800 total annual cost
Now, not all of that time is unproductive – people need breaks – but if even just 35% of that time is considered unproductive or excessive, that’s still £33.8 million in potential lost productivity.
Manchester United are wasting over £39 million a year on injured players
Injuries continue to plague Manchester United – and the financial toll is staggering. In the 2024/25 season, the club spent an estimated £39.8 million on wages for players sidelined by injury, significantly more than any other Premier League team. High-profile absentees like Luke Shaw, Mason Mount, Lisandro Martinez, and Casemiro have contributed to the mounting cost, with some players earning six-figure weekly salaries while making minimal appearances. For a club under pressure to rebuild and compete, it’s a costly reminder that squad depth and fitness aren’t just tactical concerns – they’re financial ones too.
Wimbledon could be losing over £420,000 a year selling championship balls below market value
Ever wondered what happens to a tennis ball after it leaves Centre Court? With an average ace rate of 18% in the pro game, many balls are used for just a handful of points before being swapped out. At Wimbledon, these barely-used balls are then sold to fans at a steep discount – £13.50 for a tin of four, compared to a typical retail value of £59.00 for premium match-grade balls. That’s a markdown of over 77%, and with tens of thousands of tins sold each year, it adds up. In 2025, the estimated market loss exceeds £420,000 – a cost Wimbledon seems willing to absorb in exchange for tradition, fan engagement, and sustainability. Because sometimes, the value of a souvenir outweighs the price of the product.
In 2025, Warner Bros. is still chasing box office gold – at a cost of over $200 million
For every Barbie, there’s a Blue Beetle. For every Dune, there’s a Furiosa. Blockbuster success often comes with blockbuster risk – and Warner Bros. knows this better than most. In 2025, the studio is once again facing steep losses, with early-year flops like Wolf Man and mounting pressure on the upcoming Superman reboot to deliver a financial turnaround. Industry analysts estimate that Warner Bros. has already sunk over $200 million into underperforming titles this year alone – echoing the $209 million it lost in 2015 on Jupiter Ascending and Pan. It’s a reminder that in Hollywood, the road to a billion-dollar hit is often paved with costly misfires
JK Rowling could have saved over £8 million by going digital-only with Harry Potter: The Deathly Hallows
With over 500 million Harry Potter books sold worldwide by 2025, J.K. Rowling’s wizarding world remains one of the most successful literary franchises in history. When The Deathly Hallows launched, it shattered records – selling 2.5 million copies in the first 24 hours alone. But with each paperback costing an estimated £3.55 to print and distribute, the environmental and financial cost of physical publishing adds up. Had Rowling opted for an e-book exclusive release, analysts estimate she could have saved or earned an additional £8.2 million – not to mention the reduced carbon footprint. Of course, for many fans, the magic of Hogwarts lives in the feel of a printed page. But in a digital-first world, it’s a reminder that even the most beloved stories come with real-world costs.
Marks & Spencer could be wasting over £49 million a year on clothing hangers
As the UK’s first billion-pound high street retailer, Marks & Spencer has long been a leader in fashion retail. But with ongoing store closures and a renewed focus on sustainability, some legacy costs are harder to justify – like the estimated £49 million spent annually on clothing hangers. Despite efforts to reduce plastic waste, including phasing out hangers for certain product lines and trialling alternative display methods, the sheer volume of garments sold means hanger-related costs remain significant. In an era where every operational expense is under scrutiny, ditching unnecessary hangers could offer both financial and environmental wins. Because sometimes, cutting waste starts with what’s hanging right in front of you.
M&Co could be losing over £490,000 a month processing clothing returns
With Black Friday in the rear-view mirror and the post-Christmas return rush looming, retailers like M&Co are bracing for the most expensive season in ecommerce. While online shopping has expanded reach, it’s also fuelled a returns culture that continues to erode margins. In 2025, M&Co is estimated to lose more than £490,000 every month processing returned clothing items. That includes costs tied to shipping, inspection, repackaging, restocking, and in many cases, unsellable inventory. For a mid-sized fashion retailer, that’s a significant operational burden – especially when multiplied across peak trading periods. Returns may be part of the customer experience, but without robust data hygiene and predictive stock strategies, they’re also a silent profit killer.
The average Wetherspoon pub could be losing over £80,000 a year in beer wastage
It’s a familiar sight to any pub-goer: the over-pour, the spillage, the frothy pint that doesn’t quite make it to the glass. In 2025, beer wastage remains a costly issue for busy bars – and Wetherspoon pubs are no exception. With industry estimates suggesting that up to 12% of beer from each barrel is lost through over-pouring, line cleaning, and spillage, the financial impact adds up fast. For an average Wetherspoon pub, that could mean over £80,000 in lost revenue annually, based on current pint prices and sales volumes. Interestingly, some businesses have found creative ways to repurpose this waste. One company in Keswick, England, famously began turning spilt beer into artisan vinegar – a quirky but clever response to a very real problem.
The NFL is set to lose over $6.2 million in 2025 paying suspended players
While suspensions in the NFL may seem less frequent than in other sports, they often come with steep financial consequences. In 2025 alone, the league has already seen multiple high-profile suspensions, including former Ravens kicker Justin Tucker, who was banned for 10 games without pay due to violations of the personal conduct policy. According to Spotrac’s 2025 suspension tracker, the total salary lost to suspensions this season is projected to exceed $6.2 million, with at least 19 players missing games due to infractions ranging from PED violations to off-field conduct issues. That’s a significant jump from years prior, and is a reminder that disciplinary action doesn’t just cost reputations – it hits the payroll too.
Major League Baseball now spends over £710,000 a year on baseballs
If you’ve ever watched a game, you’ll know: pitchers are picky. Even the slightest scuff or seam misalignment can send a ball out of rotation – literally. That’s why in 2025, MLB teams go through more than 160,000 baseballs per season, with many used for just a single pitch before being swapped out. With the average cost of an official Rawlings MLB baseball now around $15 (£11.25), the league’s annual spend on game balls exceeds £720,000. That figure doesn’t even include practice balls, commemorative editions, or those caught by lucky fans. It’s a small object with a surprisingly big price tag – and a reminder that precision in sport comes at a premium.
Ikea spends over £190,000 a year giving away free pencils
They may be iconic, even turning up in art installations and DIY hacks, but IKEA’s free pencils come at a cost. In 2025, the Swedish retailer continues to distribute millions of mini pencils across its UK stores – an estimated 5.2 million annually, based on historical usage trends. With production and distribution costs rising, the annual spend is now estimated at £192,400, assuming a conservative cost of £0.037 per pencil. While some might call it waste, IKEA sees it as part of the customer experience – helping shoppers jot down product codes, sketch room layouts, or simply take home a quirky souvenir. It’s a small tool with a surprisingly big footprint – and a reminder that even the tiniest brand touchpoints come with a price tag.
Frankie & Benny’s are spending over £39,000 a month on complimentary mints
They may be a charming end to a meal – and a subtle nudge toward tipping – but those iconic imperial mints come at a cost. In 2025, with 2.5 million customers served monthly, Frankie & Benny’s is estimated to spend more than £39,000 each month on these after-dinner treats, assuming a unit cost of £0.015 per mint. That’s over £468,000 a year on something that’s unwrapped and forgotten in seconds. While it may be a small gesture of hospitality, in an era of rising costs and sustainability scrutiny, even the tiniest freebies deserve a second look.
, updated 3rd July 2025.
