Main Image: George at Asda

PRShots Digest brings you the latest retail news from Ace & Tate, Mamas & Papas, Fred Perry, ProCook, Cucinelli, Sainsburys, Halfords, Matalan, ScS and Dune. Plus articles on how Primark is getting into homewares, 6 tips for optimising LinkedIn content, why you need to embrace journey-centricity and more  

THE LATEST RETAIL INDUSTRY NEWS

Inflation eases to 10.1% despite record surge in food prices

Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures for UK Inflation show a fall to 10.1% in March, down from 10.4%, despite a record surge in food inflation which hit 19.1%, the sharpest increase in 45 years.

ProCook posts drop in fourth quarter revenue

Kitchenware brand ProCook saw a 9.7% fall in revenue to £12.6m in Q4 due to a drop in online sales of 12.6% with full year revenue at £62.3m down 5% but in the middle of its expected range.

Cucinelli Posts 33% Rise in Q1 Sales

Sales at Italian luxury group Brunello Cucinelli rose 33% to €265.3m in Q1, driven by strong growth in the Americas and a rebound in Asia, and expects sales to be up around 15% this year.

Sainsbury’s makes bid for Planet Organic

Sainsbury’s is the latest name to make an offer for Planet Organic’s name and intellectual property assets.

Amazon launches new initiative for sellers to expand across Europe

Amazon has launched the European Expansion Accelerator (EEA) a new initiative to help UK sellers extend their business to all Amazon’s European marketplaces.

Halfords hails unique platform as it forecasts sales and profit jump

Halfords has forecast a jump in sales and profit in the mid-term as it prepares to leverage “unique and scaled” platform that has been built since 2018.

Liverpool One expects £25m boost over Eurovision weekend

Retail destination Liverpool One is preparing for the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest semi-finals and final and an expected £25m bonus the competition it will bring.

UK regulator probes Amazon's planned purchase of iRobot

Britain's competition regulator has launched a "Phase 1" probe into Amazon.com planned $1.7bn acquisition of iRobot Corp the maker of the Roomba vacuum cleaner.

Push for faster fashion squeezes European manufacturers

Big brands have stepped up sourcing in Europe over the last few years, but the push for faster fashion has come at the expense of European manufacturers and their workers,

UK e-commerce companies boost investment by 43% Q1 2023

UK e-commerce companies increased investment in their businesses during Q1 2023, with investment up by 43% over Q4 2022, with advertising accounting for 45% of total new spend.

Number of retail M&A deals surge 30% post-pandemic

The number of mergers and acquisitions (M&A) deals in the UK targeting retailers has risen from 34 retail M&A deals in 2022 compared to 35 in 2021 and 26 in 2019.

TRENDS, STRATEGY AND TECHNOLOGY

How Primark is powering into homewares and giving the competition a run for its money

Primark is a fashion favourite among shoppers, but is it now taking the lead as a homewares frontrunner, Retail Week explores how the fashion giant is extending its offer.

How Nike, Starbucks, Adidas and Gucci are jumping into NFTs

NFTs may seem very summer 2022 but spring seems to have galvanised a host of major retail and fashion brands, which have launched NFTs as part of their wider Web3 and metaverse strategies.

6 tips for optimising LinkedIn content for B2B marketing

Are you getting the most out of your B2B marketing on LinkedIn? Discover ways to maximize the ROI of your LinkedIn marketing with these tips.

Do consumers have unrealistic expectation of retail service?

Two fifths (40%) of shoppers prefer to buy fashion in-store, with slightly more (41%) preferring to shop online and the remainder 19% having no particular preference.

Why you need to embrace journey-centricity

To earn loyalty, marketers should avoid pitfalls and shift to a journey-centric culture to ensure everyone remains focused on creating a great experience that retains customers.

Aubade unveils more realistic visual brand direction

French lingerie specialist Aubade is to limit retouching of its images, to match a more realistic outlook on the body, and casting would reflect “more voluptuous” silhouettes.

PEOPLE, MOVERS AND SHAKERS

ScS appoints Swarupa Pathakji as non-executive director

Furniture and flooring retailer ScS, has appointed Swarupa Pathakji as a non-executive director and she is due to take up her role on 2 May 2023.

Matalan appoints chief customer and omnichannel officer

Matalan has appointed former coop exec Ali Jones to the newly created role of chief customer and omnichannel officer.

BRAND NEWS

Stüssy and Martine Rose unveil car-inspired collaboration

Stüssy teamed up with British designer Martine Rose for a streetwear capsule of clothing and car accessories inspired by driving in its sixth collaboration this year.

Dune London brought St Pancras to a standstill

Dune London launched its ‘Let’s Dance’ SS23 campaign (images here) with a performance from Strictly stars Nadiya Bychkova and Kai Widdrington bringing St Pancras station to a standstill.

Eyewear brand Ace & Tate expands across the UK with five new stores

Dutch eyewear brand Ace & Tate has announced the opening of a new store in London’s Portobello Road, and plans to open four more UK stores in the next four months.

H&M Beauty is launching a Gen Z skincare and bodycare range

H&M Beauty is launching an exclusive collection of 10 everyday vegan essentials for Gen Z consumers.

Mamas & Papas teams up with Laura Ashley for new range

Mamas & Papas has teamed up with Laura Ashley to launch a range of children’s prams, homeware and baby apparel.

GH Bass and Fred Perry launch shoes linked to Amy Winehouse Foundation

Footwear specialist GH Bass and Fred Perry have collaborated on a limited-edition loafer designed as part of the long running Fred Perry x Amy Winehouse Foundation collection.

PatPat launches light-up kids clothing line

US children’s clothing brand PatPat has launched a new collection called Go-Glow by PatPat, using a fabric-illuminating technology called Glotech that lets the clothes light up.

AND FINALLY x2

Fashion's impact on the world's oceans

Thirty five percent of all microplastics released into the world's oceans come from synthetic textiles such as polyester, acrylic and elastane, and the release has increased 10-fold since 2005.

Fashion can now report its plastic use. Will reduction follow?

With legislation and investor pressure growing, reporting is a first step for fashion to tackle its plastic use and production problem.

PRSHOTS TOP 10 SEARCHES

What were our users searching for on PRShots Week ending April 14^th 2023?

1/ Coronation

2/ Summer

3/ Garden

4/ Picnic

5/ Sunglasses

6/ Bathroom

7/ Outdoor

8/ Sandals

9/ Bedroom  

10/ Rug

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

Studio started back in 1962 and delivers everything from homewares through to clothing and footwear from top brand names as well as its own branded clothing.

Mission C founder Qes discovered that CBD oil helped his Grandad - who was living with dementia - feel calm and contented, he knew it could help others too. So he created a natural and accessible remedy for people looking to improve their quality of life.

Lavender Hill creates luxurious staples, using natural sources, with extra emphasis placed on how the clothes feel,  giving every item the softest touch imaginable and that every piece feels soft and comforting next to your skin.

Jessica Russell Flint is British designer who creates vibrant, entirely unique hand-illustrated prints, with luxury products ranging across accessories, clothing, sleepwear and homeware.

&Sons is all about vintage-inspired clothing for the modern-day Pioneer. Timeless garments for the modern man, designed by and for craftspeople, artisan makers and creative pioneers in their chosen fields of endeavour.

Damsons aim is to cater to real women who face the challenges of life with open arms. Their latest collection is influenced by vintage workwear and iconic styles, delicately transformed into contemporary feminine silhouettes.

Tweedmill is a family run business established in 1971 that creates beautiful British-made blankets, picnic rugs, home accessories and more and are stocked in more than 4000 retailers UK wide.

Curvy Kate lingerie and swimwear is designed to make women feel fabulous about their curves. With sizes from D to K cups Curvy Kate lingerie and swimwear ethos is to “Fit, lift, shape and comfort.”

Imp & Maker founded by entrepreneur Sarah Louise Fairburn to bring together food, drinks & gifts from established, emerging and exciting new names in the food & drink world for both home and corporate gifting.

Scamp & Dude was created by Jo Tutchener-Sharp, founder and previous MD of Beauty Seen PR and is famous for their signature leopard and lightning bolt print and vibrant designs, which features in their mens, womens, kids and baby ranges.

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

Very has new V by Very and Very Curve ranges

Dune London has its new Let’s Dance SS23 campaign of men and womens shoes and bags

George at Asda has new summer beach and womenswear

Roman Originals has new spring and summer ranges in all sizes

New Look has new women’s summer wear, footwear ranges, and swimwear

PrettyLittleThing  has new beach outfits, a Sasa By Lopez collection, and a new maternity wear collection featuring Sophia Smith.

Bonmarché has new ranges for summer modelled by Lorraine Kelly

Barbour has new mens, womens and kids ranges

River Island has new womenswear ranges

Primark has new Primark Cares ranges, Lilo and Stitch ranges, makeup, menswear,  beachwear, athleisure wear, summer value ranges and Paula Echevarria

Monsoon has new women’s summer ranges

Peacocks has new menswear, womenswear and teen ranges

Aspiga has new womenswear ranges

Matalan has new womenswear plus menswear ranges from Taylor & Wright

Tu Clothing has new women’s ranges of clothes for the evening and the beach, plus shoes and bags

Bryony Bel has new jewellery ranges

Crew Clothing  has new his and hers ranges

Oliver Bonas has new women’s ranges

Radley has new images for April

Lipsy has a new V&A Love & Roses collaboration for SS23

Threadbare has new mens and womens ranges

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

Regatta Dune London Men’s Shoe Zone TK Maxx National Trust Shop Fatface Cotton Traders Radley The Morphbag by JSK Marks & Spencer

Home, garden and food

Studio has Coronation gifts

Cambridge Imprint has new Coronation posters

Fritz Fryer has new high-end lighting

Homesense has new kitchen and tableware for dinner parties and accessories for the home and picnic ware

Hobbycraft has new paint your own ranges

Cutter & Squidge has new Eid and afternoon tea treats

Habitat has new high summer ware furniture and accessories for indoors and out  

The Range has new Coronation and afternoon tea ideas

Cuckooland has new kids beds, outdoor furniture and garden pods

Dobbies Garden Centres has new picnic ideas, terrariums, plants, pet ranges, things for the home, and patio furniture.

Daisy Park  has new Emma Bridgewater coronation gifts and homeware

Cardfactory has new coronation and mermaid themed gifts

Next has a new Restore collection for the home

DFS has a new Feel Good Home range for the lounge, dining and bedroom

Ivyline has a new outdoor furniture, water features,  pots, planters, hanging baskets, firepits and mirrors and more  

Oliver Bonas has new home ranges

Furniture Village has new indoor and outdoor furniture

Primark Home outdoor tableware, planters, candles and more

Biscuiteers Baking has new coronation goodies as well as Smiley 50th birthday ranges plus Father’s Day

Sofology has new furniture ranges

Wilko has new picnic and outdoor items, plus gifts and home items

National Trust shop has new bird feeders, plant collections and summer items for outdoor living

See additional new home images from the last weeks from

Dunelm Marks & Spencer TK Maxx Nologo B&M Cult Furniture Next Branch Jewellery GettingPersonal Nest Cartwright & Butler Fatface George Home Very Primark 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 Eid al-Fitr – 2

Days until The Coronation - 17

Days until Halloween – 195

Days until Singles Day - 206

Days until Black Friday – 219

Days until Christmas Day – 250

How to get your brand on the April Editorial Calendars, search engines and social media 

We’re now definitely in Spring, and people are thinking about the approaching summer holidays, so add any spring-summer-related images you have and add in keywords relating to summer outfits and summer events e.g. festivals, Glastonbury, beachwear, swimwear, the garden, garden parties, outdoor living, things for the patio, and of course Barbecues. Don’t forget to add all of the other spellings BBQ, Bar-B-Que etc and other related keywords like picnic, garden party, get-togethers, parties, socials, gatherings and for the young ‘gaths’.

While some people are looking to holidays abroad some are also trimming their budgets thanks to the rising costs of gas and electricity etc, and are looking closer to home, so add in keywords and phrases like “staycation”, “holistay”, “holiday at home” to your keywords and why not suggest clothing like cardigans for the colder UK evenings.

It’s also Easter and the first big break of the year, and it’s traditionally when people start to look at brightening up their gardens/patios/windowsills, so include any planting/gardening imagery and keywords as well as any of the standard Easter related items, decorations, presents, bunnies and of course eggs and chocolate.  

April Diary – Weeks/Months

As well as Easter there are lots of other big events in April. April is World Stress awareness month and National Pet Month in the UK, so if you have anything to relieve stress (massage products, recliners, diffusers, pillows, garden swings etc) and anything for pets (dog coats, cat collars, dog beds will also be looked for etc) then add them and get all the relevant keywords added.

Other events include;

International Dark-Sky Week (Apr 15th – Apr 22nd)

Allergy Awareness Week (Apr 20th – Apr 25th)

MS Awareness Week (Apr 24th – Apr 30th)

April - Days

21^st - National Tea Day

21^st – End of Ramadan

22^nd – Earth Day

21^st- 23^rd – Coachella Weekend Two 

23rd – St George’s Day

23^rd - National Asparagus Day

23^rd – Shakespeare Day

24^th - National Skipping Day

24^th – Fashion Revolution Day

25^th – World Malaria Day

25^th – National Lingerie Day

26^th – Stop Food Waste Day

29^th - International Dance 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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