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PRShots Digest brings you the latest retail news from Hush, Vampire’s Wife, Poundland, Frasers Group, Swatch, Uniqlo, Rip Curl, Mango and Hotter. Plus articles on how charity shops became cool, why fashion and lifestyle is a winning combo, how to market on Threads and more.
THE LATEST RETAIL INDUSTRY NEWS
Poundland owner Pepco Group sales for Q3 to 30 Jun were up by 12.5% to €1.37bn (Pepco revenues up 15.3% and Poundland up 8.6%), the group also opened 159 new stores in the quarter.
Frasers Group ups stakes in N Brown and Currys
Frasers Group has increased its stake in fashion retailer N Brown as well as electricals retailer Currys in a continued shopping spree for Mike Ashley’s retail empire.
Watches of Switzerland sales and profits soar in record year
Watches of Switzerland has posted a “record” year with sales up 25% to £1.5bn and an adjusted EBITDA 24% up at £201m and entered 2024 “significantly ahead” of what it previously forecast.
Swatch Group H1 revenue grew 18% to $4.65bn with profits up 55.6% to $576m as sales to China returned and the success of the Omega Moonswatch collaboration continued.
Uniqlo owner's 3Q profit surges 35%
Uniqlo owner Fast Retailing operating profit in the quarter to May grew 35% to $797m, thanks to a resurgence in sales in China and exceeding the 25% growth forecast by analysts.
Rip Curl owner KMD Brands on track to exceed NZ$1bn for the first time
Rip Curl owner KMD Brands trading update for the full year ending Jul 31, revealed sales are expected to be approximately NZ$1.1bn (US$690m) for the 12-month period.
Hotter owner Unbound seeks emergency funding
Unbound Group owner of Hotter Shoes is racing to raise £2m from shareholders or from new investors in the coming days to avoid administration.
Amazon Prime Day UK sales edge up
UK sales on the first day of Amazon latest Prime Day have increased slightly from last year with Adobe reporting sales of £581m on Tuesday, just 1.3% higher than last year.
Mango increases sales by 20% in first half of 2023
Mango has reported strong growth in H1 with a turnover of €1.451bn a 20% increase compared to the same period last year and a 30% on pre-covid 2019.
Kim Kardashian reportedly in talks to buy back beauty stake from Coty
Kim Kardashian is reportedly in discussions to repurchase the 20% minority stake in her beauty company SKKN that she had previously sold to beauty and fragrance retailer Coty.
UK cost-of-living crisis to run for almost a year
Grant Thornton UK and Retail Economics predicts £65bn will be wiped off the country’s spending power in the next year leaving the average household £2,300 worse off by the time inflation eases.
June footfall boosted by night-time economy
Footfall in June rose by 3.7% month-on-month, more than triple the 1.1% growth in May, as consumers made evening trips in towns and cities to enjoy leisure time.
UK economy shrinks by 0.1% in May after coronation festivities
Britain’s economy has broadly performed more strongly than expected in recent months, helped by falling global energy prices, rising consumer confidence and resilience in the jobs market.
TRENDS, STRATEGY AND TECHNOLOGY
The charity shop has become one of Gen Z's favourite ways to shop. Why has the trend exploded, and what can retailers do to capitalise on it?
Why fashion and lifestyle is a winning combo
The lifestyle sector, which includes tableware, furnishings and decorative items, continues to attract many fashion brands and is a winning combination for many.
Marketing on Threads: What you need to know
Threads has attracted a huge user base and is proving to be a serious Twitter alternative. Here's what marketers need to know.
How to use AI in digital advertising
While AI is not going to generate the same level of quality for long-form content that a human will, it can be used as an assistant to creative teams in helping them with the last mile of their strategy.
Clothes manufacturing in Manchester in a make-or-break year
Garment manufacturers in Manchester are challenged with rising costs and falling demand - but they are turning the threats into opportunities by adapting their business models.
Shopify to launch AI assistant for merchants
Shopify is to launch a new AI-powered tool for merchants. "Sidekick" be able to answer merchant queries, including details about sales trends and automatically apply changes to their products.
UK e-commerce companies spent 29% more in Q2 despite recession fears
British online retailers spent 29% more on ads, inventory, and software in Q2 2023 compared to Q2 2022, with growth mainly driven by a 21% growth in inventory up from 6.3% a year ago.
PEOPLE, MOVERS AND SHAKERS
Co-op names Debbie White as new chair
The Co-op has named Debbie White as the company’s new chair, succeeding Allan Leighton when he is set to step down from the role in February next year.
Fiorucci names new CEO and creative director
Fiorucci has been acquired by Swiss investor, sportswoman and philanthropist Dona Bertarelli and the brand will undergo a complete “creative reconstruction,” led by new CEO Alessandro Pisani.
BRAND NEWS
Hush launches personal styling service
Hush has launched a new complimentary personal styling service and wardrobe master classes, offering consumers one-on-one virtual appointments with its in-house stylist, Kate Williams.
Shake Shack launches its first-ever retail collaboration
American fast food chain Shake Shack is celebrating a decade in the UK with its first-ever retail collaboration with British culture brand Wavey Garms.
The Vampire's Wife settles tax debt to avoid closure
Susie Cave’s The Vampire's Wife brand has been bailed out by investors Jimmy Iovine and Liberty Ross after the HMRC were due to issue a Winding Up Petition due to be heard in court today.
AND FINALLY
From fast fashion to food to department stores, it feels like almost every retailer is jumping on the pink bandwagon for the launch of the most anticipated movie of the year, Barbie.
PRSHOTS TOP 10 SEARCHES
What were our users searching for on PRShots Week ending July 7th 2023?
1/ AW23
2/ Bikini
3/ Beach
4/ Swimwear
5/ Christmas
6/ Barbie
7/ Summer
8/ Garden
9/ Pink
10/ Mirror
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NEW BRANDS TO PRSHOTS
Fable England produces bags, accessories and delicate hand-painted jewellery with each piece made with positivity and kindness to uplift the human spirit and to bring joy to their owners.
Neem London produces sustainable, stylish and classic menswear pieces with low emissions, and according to the Guardian is “a label to consider for your wardrobe staples.”
Rebecca Rhoades is a successful and well-acknowledged Leeds-based womenswear designer who specialises in slow fashion featuring beautiful designs that are well known across the globe with influence in the UK, UAE, AU & EU.
Belissh create bags and dresses for going out and having fun and are committed to creating solutions that are environmentally friendly using sustainable fabric options.
Amelia Scott is a new London-based accessories brand created by Jane Hebden, an award-winning watch and jewellery designer. The jewellery range celebrates individuality and embraces the wonderful world of colour.
Lola Starr ranges are designed with the environment and functionality in mind. They source only the highest quality recyclable materials designed to be recycled, recreated and remoulded again and again. They are a British brand that champions local expertise and keeps the carbon footprint to its lowest level.
Arran Sense of Scotland puts quality and fragrance first, so you can be sure that each of their Bath, Body & Home products have been expertly crafted and manufactured with the greatest care on the Island home of Arran.
HELP WITH YOUR IMAGE SEARCHES
The latest images on PRShots are found here https://www.prshots.com/whatsnew why not bookmark the page for a regular feed of the latest images on PRShots!! You can select the latest images from the last 24hours, week, or month.
BRANDS WITH NEW IMAGES
Clothing, beauty and accessories
Curvy Kate has new Non-Stop, Key to the Heart, Plunge, Elementary, Frill Me, Amaze, Centrepiece, Retro Wave, High Waist, Happy Boobs, Lift-Off, Centre Stage, Senses, Authority ranges.
PrettyLittleThing has Barbie-pink range, Lori Harvey, Gemma Owen, Diliamne Jacob and Jayda Cheaves ranges of holiday outfits for the beach and the clubs, a bodycon range, a festival collection, a Molly Mae Summer edit.
Monsoon has new kids clothing ranges and womenswear including bags, scarves, dresses, kaftans, jackets and jumpers, accessories and jewellery.
Primark has a new monogram bag ranges, back-to-school ranges, a Barbie movie range, and a new Edit range.
Shoe Zone has new back-to-school and women’s and men’s shoes.
Threadbare has more summer clothing with a RHS collaboration, cool womenswear and menswear in its Urban Renaissance and Luxe ranges.
Roman Originals has new floral outfits, spring and summer ranges in all sizes.
National Trust shop has new summer outdoor gifts plus autumn and winter accessories and Christmas gifts.
Dune London has new boots, shoes, luggage, sandals and bags.
New Look has new women’s summer wear, accessories, and footwear ranges.
Matalan has back-to-school ranges, plus pink and Barbie ranges and summer accessories and a new 20 outfits for £20 or less online range
From my mother’s garden has new womenswear.
Barbour has new bags and scarves and back-to-school ranges for all weathers.
Oliver Bonas has new clothing, accessories, footwear and jewellery ranges.
Fatface has a new Julien and Adele ranges of womenswear and high summer 2023 ranges for men, women and kids.
Peacocks has new womenswear for AW23
Joe Browns has new AW23 cosy clothing ranges as well as shoes, boots, bags and accessories.
Accessorize has new Sundown jewellery, summer clothing, hats, scarves, shoes and bag ranges.
See additional new clothing and accessories images from the last few weeks at
George at Asda Aspiga Cotton Traders River Island Lipsy Teva Daisy Park The Night Store Office Very Bonmarché F&F Silk & Lawn Scamp & Dude Dunelm
Home, garden and food
National Trust shop has new things for the garden and home and Christmas decorations and cards.
Wilko has new ranges for the kitchen, dining room and the lounge.
Cartwright & Butler has new Halloween goodies.
Biscuiteers Baking has new goodies for Christmas from gifts to edible decorations.
Hobbycraft has new Halloween ranges plus weaving and clay kits, sewing kits, cross stitching kits, gifts, Pride clothing, summer party ranges, foam mosaic art and paint and sew your own ranges.
Primark Home has a new home ranges for the bedroom, kitchen and dining room.
Next has a new Dark Fem 1930s inspired furniture ranges, plus new Kindred home accessories and Nomadic, Reflections, Optimism and Moss Green ranges of furniture, Kitchenware and homeware.
Homesense has new homeware for the lounge, kitchen and bathroom and Halloween decorations as well as gifting ranges.
Matalan has new Christmas home and gifts collections.
The Range has its Christmas and Halloween ranges, outdoor furniture, things for the kitchen, fans to keep you cool, new beach accessories, homeware, festival gear.
B&M has new Christmas decorations and gifts, Halloween ranges, plus Natural bathroom, kitchen pantry and Winter Harvest ranges.
Tweedmill has new throws and blankets for the home, hot water bottles plus picnic blankets.
Cult Furniture has new furniture and lamps.
Oliver Bonas has new cushions, lamps, art plus gift ranges and kitchen and home ranges and Christmas decorations.
Cuckooland has new furniture for outdoors.
See additional new home images from the last weeks from
Ivyline Imp & Maker Hotel Chocolat Furniture Village Daisy Park Designers Guild Cambridge Imprint Dobbies Garden Centres Dunelm Sofology George Home
Looking for inspiration?
Our trends lightboxes section has lots of ideas for features and themes but If you can't find something or you need help then email us at support@prshots.com, and we'll see if we can help
DIARY
PRShots Retail Calendar Alerts
Days until Halloween - 110
Days until Singles Day – 121
Days until Black Friday – 134
Days until Christmas Day - 165
How to get your brand on the July Editorial/Media Calendars, higher up on search engines and in social media
Summer is here! So keep on adding anything summery to your keywords and descriptions eg summer clothing, swimwear, beachwear, sunglasses, plus things to keep you cool, like fans, sun hats and sun shades. Also, push anything to do with the outside, so garden furniture, anything for a garden party, or a picnic or barbecue, and don’t forget to add all of the other spellings BBQ, Bar-B-Que etc and other related keywords like picnic.
The festival season is now in full-swing, and the media are all looking for festival wear and things to take to festivals (tents, fans, ice boxes, torches etc). We’re also getting ready to go on holiday so beachwear, bikinis, swimsuits, shorts, trunks, luggage, bags etc are all being searched for.
Clothing keywords being searched for this summer include; crochet, maxi dresses, mermaid-core, and anything Pink and Barbie-related.
But not everyone is going abroad. The cost of living crisis is cutting the money in everyone’s wallets, so shoppers are still looking at holidays closer to home. Add in keywords and phrases like “staycation”, “holistay”, “holiday at home” to your keywords and why not suggest clothing like raincoats, coats, hoodies, and cardigans? If you stock them, then firepits and chimineas for the colder UK evenings would be good to add.
July Diary - Weeks/Months
July is Independent Retailer Month, Plastic-free Month, and National Ice Cream Month in the US. It’s also Alcohol Awareness Week (3rd- 9th Jul), Wimbledon fortnight (3rd-16thJul), Berlin Fashion Week (10th – 13th Jul), Northern Fashion Week (14th- 16th Jul), the Men’s and Women’s Ashes tournaments continues through July, and it’s Cowes Week (29th Jul - 5th Aug).
July - Days
14th - Bastille Day (France)
16th – National Ice Cream Day (US Third sundae in July 😉)
18th - Nelson Mandela International day
19th - Muharram/Islamic New Year
21st – Start of the school holidays
22th-23rd - Northern Pride
23rd – National Parents Day (US)
24th – National Tequila Day (US)
25th – Christmas in July (5 months until Christmas)
29th – National Lipstick Day
Do you have any news on your brand that you want us to feature, or have a new appointee or a new event that you would like us to feature? Get in touch at news@prshots.com We don't charge, so get emailing now!!!
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