Main Image:  Barbour

PRShots Digest brings you the latest retail news from L’Occitane, Pandora, B&M, Poundland, Skims, Lydia Bolton, Tu Clothing and M&S. Plus, articles on how AI could revolutionise customer engagement, how to keep up with TikTok trends, how loyalty schemes can drive sales and more.  

THE LATEST RETAIL INDUSTRY NEWS

B&M and Poundland in running to save Wilko

B&M and Poundland are amongst the retailers believed to be putting in possible bids for struggling retailer Wilko after it fell into administration.

M&S raises profit outlook as sales surge

M&S now expects to deliver a profit growth in the year to 1 April 2024, having previously forecasted a small decline as it continues to see market share growth in clothing, home and food.

Pandora ups sales guidance amid strong growth

Jewellery brand Pandora has updated its full-year revenue guidance after seeing robust growth in Q2 where sales grew 5% driven by 2% growth in like-for-like sales and “network expansion” of 4%.

Wilko administrator sets deadline for offers

Wilko administrator PwC has set a deadline of Wednesday for interested parties to submit their first offers to buy the retailer.

Telefunken acquired by Gordon Brothers

Advisory and investment firm Gordon Brothers has acquired the Frankfurt-based Telefunken global consumer electronics brand and hopes to emulate the success it has had with Polaroid.

L’Occitane shares jump as owner in ‘advanced talks’ to take group private

L’Occitane share price rose on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange as controlling shareholder Reinold Geiger revealed they are in advanced talks on a potential deal to take the company private.

Summer holidays drive surge in high street footfall

MRI Springboard figures saw footfall across all retail destinations up 0.7% compared to the week before, with the rise driven by the start of school holidays in England and Wales.

Fashion and textiles industry to receive £6m for sustainability research

The government’s UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) body has awarded £6m to the UK fashion and textiles industry in an effort to move towards more sustainable and responsible practices.

UK launches hub to help companies be more sustainable

The UK’s Department for Energy Security and Net Zero has launched the UK Business Climate Hub to help small and medium sized businesses (SMEs) “save money and go green”.

TRENDS, STRATEGY AND TECHNOLOGY

How AI could revolutionise customer engagement

The majority (69%) of brands believe AI technology, particularly virtual assistants for self-service, will significantly influence their approach to customer experience.

How brands can keep up with TikTok’s micro-trends

This summer has seen a proliferation of fashion and beauty micro-trends on TikTok but for many brands keeping up with the latest trends is a full-time job.

How have retailers adapted their loyalty schemes amid cost-of-living crisis?

Internet Retailing rounds up some of the retailers which have adapted their programmes to help cash-strapped customers navigate through the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.

How to create UA reports in GA4

Russ Ketchum, product director of Google Analytics, talks to Martech about how to create Universal Analytics-like reports in Google Analytics 4.

The reinvention of the phone shop

EE and Three are in the middle of a UK-wide rollout of experience-led flagship stores – a new take on the traditional mobile phone shop focusing on home connectivity and services.

The beginners guide to sales automation

Hootsuite teaches you how to use sales automation to complete manual tasks, save your team time and boost sales.

How to plan for the end of third-party cookies

There’s just one year left before Google starts phasing out third-party cookies. But what’s next? Do brands really know what to expect and, more importantly, are they ready for it?

Why you don’t need big Barbie budgets to get Barbie results

PRmoment asks PRs what brands can learn about achieving maximum exposure even in present times, when money is tight.

How to get more traction from your blog

Explore how optimising your blog posting schedule can lead to better SEO and audience engagement.

Amazon is offering US customers the option of less or zero packaging.

Amazon US is offering the option of minimal or zero packaging at checkout with around 11% of all items now arriving without additional packaging, know to Amazon as "ships in own container."

Searches for 'Barbie fashion' skyrocket as Barbie-mania continues

Searches for 'Barbie fashion' in the UK have increased by 106% in July according to Google Trends and in the last 30 days, the hashtag #barbieoutifts has had 268m worldwide views on TikTok.

Threads app usage plummets despite initial promise as refuge from Twitter

The daily usage of Threads, Meta’s answer to Twitter, continues to slump after a strong start in its first weeks of existence.

PEOPLE, MOVERS AND SHAKERS

Harvey Nichols CEO Manju Malhotra quits

Harvey Nichols boss Manju Malhotra has resigned from her post following a dispute with the luxury retailer’s Chinese owners.

BRAND NEWS

Skims unveils its 'most innovative bra to date'

Kim Kardashian’s Skims has deployed 3D scans and moulds of real women’s breasts, including those of Kim, to create what it has dubbed its most innovative bra to date, the Ultimate Bra.

Lydia Bolton launches ‘Re-Cycle Collection’ in collaboration with Lime

Slow fashion designer Lydia Bolton has launched a cycle-friendly limited collection with e-bike company Lime, using second hand clothing sourced from charity retailer TRAID and deadstock.

Tu Clothing introduces cardboard babywear hangers, saving 103 tonnes of plastic

Sainsbury’s has rolled out new cardboard hangers across its Tu Clothing Baby range, replacing five million plastic hangers and saving 103 tonnes of plastic.

AND FINALLY

Crocs heels have hit the streets

Crocs has launched a new 4-inch-heeled version of their famous Croc, the Siren Heel  is available in Hyper Pink and would make Barbie very happy.

PRSHOTS TOP 10 SEARCHES

What were our users searching for on PRShots Week ending August 11^th 2023?

1/ AW23

2/ Christmas

3/ Bikini

4/ Swimwear

5/ Beach

6/ Halloween

7/ Kitchen

8/ Cushion

9/ Floral  

10/ Candle

COLLABORATIONS ON PRSHOTS

Our PRShots brands are looking for media and influencers who want to work with them on collaborations. Register for free at PRShots new collabs service to find out more https://collabs.prshots.com/ 

NEW BRANDS TO PRSHOTS

Style For Stroke x FUND FUND is a fashion-for-good brand with a mission to fund positive change, prioritising people and planet in everything they do, and since their launch in 2020, they have donated 100% of their profit to good causes.

Fable England produces bags, accessories and delicate hand-painted jewellery, with each piece made with positivity and kindness to uplift the human spirit and 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.

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

New Look has further August drops of womenswear including jackets, skirts, trousers, knitwear, coats, footwear, bags and jewellery.

River Island has new womens wear for AW23 and partywear.

TK Maxx has new accessories for Christmas

Barbour has new winter coats plus autumn dresses, coats, bags, gloves and scarves plus gift ranges for Christmas and back-to-school ranges.

Fatface has new AW23 womens, mens, and kids clothing ranges plus shoes, jewellery, bags and accessory ranges.

Monsoon has Christmas gifts, new back-to-school kids clothing ranges, plus AW23 womenswear, bags, scarves, dresses, kaftans, jackets and jumpers, accessories and jewellery.

Curvy Kate has new Non-Stop, Balcony, Peep Show and plunge ranges.

Dune London Mens has new AW boots and shoe collections.

Matalan has new AW23 womenswear ranges, jewellery ranges, back-to-school ranges, plus pink and Barbie ranges and summer accessories and a new 20 outfits for £20 or less online range.

Accessorize has new bags, purses, cardholders, belts, accessories and jewellery ranges.

Joe Browns has new AW23 Autumn Elegance, Charmed Life and Day Dreamer clothing including cardigans, coats, dresses, blouses, trousers plus new footwear ranges.

PrettyLittleThing has a new Ami Charlize and La La Anthony edits.

Roman Originals has new autumn clothes ranges.

Dune London has new shoes and bags for going out, and new ankle and cowboy boots, sandals, trainers, shoes and luggage.

Bonmarché  has new womenswear ranges for AW23.

Primark has a new AW23 clothes for men with the KEM range, women and kids, plus shoes and bags, as well as makeup, new Click and Collect Exclusives, Flexi Formal range plus the Edit AW23 range, monogram bag ranges, back-to-school ranges.

Oliver Bonas has new clothing and jewellery drops for November, as well as jewellery boxes, accessories, footwear and jewellery ranges.

Radley has new bag and shoe ranges for releases in August/September/October AW23 and a 25^th anniversary special.

Shoe Zone has new boots and shoes for the autumn and winter.

Peacocks has new back to school ranges.

Threadbare has more summer clothing with a RHS collaboration, cool womenswear and menswear in its Urban Renaissance and Luxe ranges.

See additional new clothing and accessories images from the last few weeks at

Regatta Very Cardfactory Deichmann UK George at Asda Scamp & Dude National Trust shop Tu Clothing From my mother’s garden Aspiga Cotton Traders River Island Lipsy Teva Daisy Park

Home, garden and food

Cambridge Imprint  has new Christmas crackers, envelopes and paper ranges.

Homesense has new Christmas decorations and gifts, plus AW23 homeware for the bedroom, lounge, kitchen and bathroom and Halloween decorations as well as gifting ranges.

Cuckooland has the Woody outdoor pizza oven, and an innovative 2-person roof-mounted tent.

Dunelm has new back-to-university student homeware starter packs, autumn Halloween homewares, sewing , Disney, Harry Potter and Winnie the Pooh home and gift, pets, and furniture ranges, and collaborations with Star Wars, the Natural History Museum and Christmas decorations.

Oliver Bonas has new homeware, household gifts and accessories as well as furniture for the bedroom and the lounge and decorations for the tree.

Hobbycraft has made and DIY Christmas decorations.

TK Maxx has new Christmas gift and AW23 home ranges.

B&M has new ranges for the kitchen, bathroom and bedroom plus autumn, Halloween and Christmas decorations and homeware.

Biscuiteers Baking has a Natural History museum collaboration, and new goodies for Christmas from gifts to edible decorations.

Cartwright & Butler has new Christmas hamper ranges.

Hotel Chocolat has new summer gifting chocolate collections including vegan collections and liqueurs.

Cult Furniture has new Urban Loft home ranges and dining and office chairs, cushions, and new furniture and lamps.

Next has new homeware and Christmas gifts and decorations and new Natural Rustic furniture ranges plus new bedding and homeware ranges and Halloween homeware.

Cutter & Squidge has Christmas hamper and Christmas food ranges.

Dobbies Garden Centres has new Christmas wreaths, and Christmas gifts and decorations, plus house plant and outdoor living collections.

Primark Home has click and collect exclusives, new AW23 home ranges for kids and adults bedrooms, as well as the kitchen and dining room.

The Range has new Halloween decorations and gift collections.

See additional new home images from the last weeks from

Very National Trust shop Matalan George Home Marks & Spencer Sofology Wilko Tweedmill Ivyline Imp & Maker Furniture Village  Daisy Park Designers Guild

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 – 77

Days until Singles Day – 88

Days until Black Friday – 101

Days until Christmas Day – 132

Days until Valentine’s Day - 183

How to make your products attractive to the media in August    

Summer is in full-swing and hopefully the weather will improve – ie stop raining in the north and stop being so damn hot in the south. So, there are just a few weeks left to boost your summer-related images before the AW23 images fully kick in.

Plus tag anything relevant with summer/high-summer, and push anything to do with the outside; garden furniture, anything for a garden party, or a picnic or barbecue. Plus, don’t forget to add all of the other spellings BBQ, Bar-B-Que etc and other related keywords like picnics, garden party, garden parties etc and if you have them then firepits and chimineas for the colder UK evenings would be good.

It's also a good time to start uploading your AW23 images. So jumpers, scarves, coats, boots along with raincoats, hoodies, and cardigans will all start to be searched for by the media.

It's also not too early to be thinking about back-to-school items - Scottish schools start again end of August – and university students will be getting ready to sort out their wardrobes and rooms so add fresher(s) and university as keywords to anything relevant.

It’s also still time to add Halloween ideas and Christmas gifts if you have them. 

August Diary - Weeks/Months

Music festivals are still on, so add any festival wear and camping-related things you have and keyword them with festival, particularly in the weeks running up to the August bank holiday weekend with Reading/Leeds festivals 25-27^th August. 

The 24^th marks 3 months until the Black Friday/Cyber Monday (24-27^th Nov) weekend so start preparing for those sales now.

Weeks to celebrate this month include; the Edinburgh Festival (5-28^th August)

August - Days

15^th – VJ (Victory over Japan) Day

16^th – National Rum Day

17^th – UK Cupcake Day

18^th – National Grooming Day

20^th – World Honey Bee Day

21^st – World Senior Citizens Day

23^rd - International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition 

24^th – 3 Months until Black Friday

24^th – National Burger Day

25^th – National Second-hand Wardrobe Day

25^th – Christmas in August (4 months until Christmas Day)

26-28^th – Notting Hill Carnival

26^th - Women's Equality Day

28^th – August Bank Holiday

28^th – National Red Wine Day

30^th - Raksha Bandhan

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!!!

Bookmark our PRShots news section https://www.prshots.com/pressnews and keep up to date with the PRShots daily guide to some of the latest news and trends in the retail, home and marketing sectors.