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PRShots Digest brings you the latest retail news from Toys R US, Dunelm, Waitrose, Sneakerboy, Patrick, Dr Martens, Sephora, Burberry, Zalando, Fila, Wilko, and articles on how retailers should approach Black Friday, why hybrid retail will win this Christmas, making your emails effective and more.

To see the latest news go to our Twitter account @prshotsr

THE LATEST RETAIL INDUSTRY NEWS

Toys R Us confirms UK comeback in time for Christmas

After their soft-launch last month Toys R Us and Babies R Us have confirmed a return to the UK with new websites open in time for Christmas and four years after shutting its UK stores.

Amazon opens second Style store in the US despite slowing down physical retail strategy

Amazon has opened its second Amazon Style store in the US, aiming to merge physical and digital retail into a bricks-and-mortar space.

ASA set to crackdown on ‘hot air’ greenwashing claims made in ads

The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has said it will be increasing enforcement action on brands making greenwashing environmental claims in their ads.

Dunelm hails robust first quarter performance

Dunelm Q1 results to 1 October show sales fell by 8% year-on-year to £357m but were 36% higher than the same period pre-pandemic three years ago

Naked Wines cuts 6% of workforce & replaces chairman

Naked Wines has slashed its sales guidance for the year and made around 6% of its workforce redundant after a failed growth strategy forced a restructuring.

Waitrose shoppers turn to spam and fish-heads as price hikes bite

Sales of spam and fish heads are both up by a third at Waitrose as shoppers look to reduce their grocery spend amid the cost-of-living crisis.

Australia's Sneakerboy is latest Frasers Group buy

Frasers Group has acquired failed Australian premium footwear brand Sneakerboy Group, for an undisclosed sum.

Sephora UK website launch plagued by technical difficulties and poor user experience

Sephora’s return to the UK is experiencing problems with their new website seeing technical difficulties, blurry images and low stock, according to disgruntled shoppers. 

Wilko drafts in advisers as it eyes further cost-cutting measures

Wilko has drafted in advisory experts Teneo as it seeks to cut costs across the business in the face of the cost-of-living crisis.

More than a quarter of a million people visit Battersea Power Station on opening

Over a quarter of a million people visited the new Battersea Power Station last weekend, providing a much-needed boost to the new South London hotspot.

TRENDS, STRATEGY AND TECHNOLOGY

How should retailers approach a cost-of-living Black Friday?

With the threat of a recession growing and consumer confidence plumbing historic lows, retailers are facing Black Friday and the crucial golden quarter, firmly on the back foot.

Why hybrid retail is coming into its own this Christmas

One of the unforeseen consequences of the economic turmoil engulfing the UK has been the way in which it has changed shopping habits.

How to harness the power of email, and deliver effective newsletter campaigns

Email has become part of the furniture, and is easily overlooked when it comes to its marketing potential

The metaverse fashion and luxury’s new Eldorado, or a mirage?

The luxury and fashion industry’s approach to the metaverse is radically different from the one it took at the start of the internet when it was largely sceptical but is the new approach too gung-ho.

PEOPLE, MOVERS AND SHAKERS

Boohoo’s MD for ex-Arcadia brands steps down as amid consolidation

Mitch Hughes the managing director of Boohoo Group’s Dorothy Perkins, Burton and Wallis, Mitch Hughes has left the business as several of the retailer’s brands consolidate.

BRAND NEWS

Burberry unveils Minecraft collab, includes physical capsule collection

​Burberry has announced a collaboration with one of the world’s most popular video games, Minecraft, that includes both gaming and physical products.

Fila launches Hailey Bieber global campaign, features archival and staple styles

​Sports label Fila has unveiled a new global campaign starring high-profile face Hailey Bieber featuring archival and staple styles.

Zalando introduces first adaptive fashion collection

Zalando has launched its first adaptive fashion collection as part of its commitment to provide an inclusive assortment and experience for underrepresented groups by 2025.

Burberry raises staff pay to tackle cost of living crisis

In light of the rising cost of living, luxury fashion brand Burberry has brought forward the new UK real Living Wage pay rates by more than six months to support colleagues this winter.

Sportswear brand Patrick unveils new UK website

French sportswear brand Patrick, known for its football, basketball, running, cricket, leisure and athletic footwear and apparel, has announced the launch of its new UK website.

Dr Martens teams up with Slam Jam in workwear-style reissue of model 1461 shoes

The iconic British footwear brand has collaborated with the eclectic Italian fashion company to explore “the intersection between workwear and its adoption by electro-pop subcultures.”

AND FINALLY

Iceland boss Richard Walker makes bid to become MP

Iceland managing director Richard Walker has been named as a prospective Conservative parliamentary candidate

PRSHOTS TOP 10 SEARCHES

What were our users searching for on PRShots week-ending Oct 14^th 2022?

1/ Christmas  

2/ Halloween    

3/ AW22  

4/ Coat

5/ Bag

6/ Candle

7/ Gold

8/ Dress

9/ Rug   

10/ Leather

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

Boutique agency Emslie Creative has joined PRShots adding jewellery from Joanna Laura Constantine and KJJ Fine Jewellery and handbags from Sambar

Papier was launched in 2015, and creates stationery – notebooks, diaries, planners, photobooks  and stationery for weddings, birthdays etc  – and gifts that invites curiosity and contemplation. In every piece of Papier is the promise of what's to come, the endless possibilities of a blank page.

TaskPR has added it’s rosta of big name brands to PRShots with womens wear images from Joules Bias Cut DKNY Jaeger Guinea London and Leocé Couture mens wear from Jaeger jewellery from Annie Haak Tateossian Thomas Sabo watches and jewellery from Movado and occasion wear from Azazie    

Somerset by Alice Temperley embodies all of the hallmarks of the Temperley aesthetic –whimsy; unabashed femininity, wild prints and dresses that float from office to after hours.

Little Mistress is a specialist in occasion wear. From proms to graduations, weddings to christenings and every social event in between, their hyper-feminine details, jaw-dropping silhouettes and ultra-luxurious fabrics they’re designed to make the wearers feel like a million dollars. The new ranges include a phot shoot with celeb Dani Dyer.

Bridge Coffee Roasters launched Bridge in 1985 by sourcing and providing the very best coffee from around the world, and since then Bridge Coffee Roasters has bloomed into roasting and selling coffee, coffee machines and accessories

Threadbare is a proud family-owned British brand bringing great quality up-to-date fashion trends for men, women, children and dogs at affordable prices. Elevated, everyday, essentials

Ivyline creates contemporary accessories for the home and garden. Founded in 1976 the UK team works on everything from initial design to eventual dispatch. Its ethical product range comprises everything from fire pits and candles to planters, plant pots and everything in between.

Cutter & Squidge is a family-run, all-natural bakery created by two food-obsessed sisters. Playfulness is their passion, they love to create exciting, experimental flavours and artisan designs. Their bakes and gifts are lovingly handcrafted to taste delicious and look exquisite on any occasion.

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

Primark has KEM ranges, Christmas party outfits, Stacey Solomon collections, new clothing and accessory ranges for men, women and kids, new beauty ranges and Breast Cancer awareness

Roman Originals has new party and going-out outfits

Monsoon  has new womenswear and kids ranges

F&F has new womenswear and Christmas jumpers

Matalan has new AW22 collections, Halloween outfits and Alder Hey 2022 collections

Dancing Leopard has new AW22 wear

Oliver Bonas has new winter party clothing, jewellery, bags and accessory ranges

M&Co  has new AW22 drops for men, women and kids and Christmas gifts and clothing

Shoe Zone has winter boots and shoes

Cotton Traders has new menswear modelled by Will Mellor

Peacocks  has a new collections and Louise Redknapp collaborations

Fatface has new Christmas ranges

Barbour has new cosy clothing and a House of Hackney collaboration

Dune London has new going out shoe and boot ranges

Marks & Spencer have new clothing, shoes and boot ranges and Christmas jumpers

New Look has new women’s shoes and Christmas outfits and jumpers

Dune London Men’s  has new bags and shoes for winter

Sonder Studio has new Christmas and AW ranges

Hope Fashion has new party outfits

PrettyLittleThing  has Gemma Owen ranges, winter coats, a Girls Versus Cancer range and new Halloween ranges

Joe Browns  has new Christmas ranges

See more new clothing and accessories images from the last two weeks from

Seol + Gold From my mother’s garden River Island Aspiga Very Radley Freemans Hope Fashion The Range Accessorize F&F Lemuel MC

Home and food

Fritz Fryer has new lights

Sofology has new sofa ranges

Cambridge Imprint  has new gifts for AW22

Oliver Bonas has new homeware and pet ranges

The Range has Christmas and Halloween ranges

Dunelm has new Christmas gifts

Cartwright & Butler has hampers, advent calendars and treats for Christmas

Monsoon  has new Christmas decorations

Daisy Park has new kitchen ware from Emma Bridgewater for Christmas, Halloween and Bonfire Night

George Home has Christmas goodies for the home

Primark shows its Christmas decorations, gifts and homeware

Nest has new desks tables and chairs

Marks & Spencer have new personalised Christmas gifts and Christmas decorations

Dobbies Garden Centres has new home goods, pet accessories, Christmas decorations and gifts and spooky Halloween plants

Cardfactory has new personalised gifts and hampers

M&Co  has new Christmas decorations and homeware

Cult Furniture  has new bar stools and furniture

Paperchase has added more Christmas decorations and gifts and folkart stationery ranges

TK Maxx and Homesense have new homeware and Christmas goodies

KMI Brands have new curly styling essentials

DFS has new ranges for the living room and bedroom including a Cath Kidston collaboration

Wilko has festive decorations and gifts for Christmas and Halloween, and AW22 home 

See more new home images from the last two weeks from

Fatface Very Habitat Luxdeco Hotel Chocolat Cuckooland B&M Cath Kidston National Trust Shop Abstract House Christy Matalan Oliver Bonas

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

Days Until Halloween – 11

Days Until Black Friday – 36

Days Until Cyber Monday - 39

Days Until Christmas Day – 66

October

How to make your products attractive to the media in October    

We’re into autumn and the nights are starting to draw in and the heating is on - at last! Although at a much-reduced rate.  The media are looking for images that reflect the changes so anything that looks cosy and warm is good, roaring fires, big jumpers, coats, hats, knitwear, scarfs and wellies in a leaf-strewn outdoors – all the cliches – are what the media are looking for. If you can do some night shots with sparklers, then you’re also ticking the boxes for bonfire night next month. We also have Halloween at the end of the month, so if you can get a pumpkin in your images then you’re hitting two birds with one stone.  

You should be adding Christmas images and for those magazines with long lead times then start to look for the images of people working off the Christmas excesses for the January issues. 

Don’t forget to add keywords – Gifts, Christmas, Xmas, Autumn, Winter, Halloween, fireworks night, bonfire night will all be looked for. Also, we have a wide audience with media from around the World so add those American holiday versions eg the holidays, Fall, Pumpkin day, Thanksgiving etc and words like hygge that are starting to enter the language. 

Also cost-of living crises maybe a good keyword to add especially on warm clothing

Media will also be searching for party outfits for Halloween, Guy Fawkes, and the office party season will be on us soon.  Christmas gift guides are also useful, try and be creative, do ones for every eventuality eg gifts guides for him/her/mum/dad/kids/teenagers/pets etc also gifts under £150/100/£50 and for guides for secret Santa’s gifts under £20.

Please put prices on everything!!! Otherwise, you stand no chance of getting into any of the features that include “Presents under £50”, “Party dresses for £150” etc   

If you’re a PRShots brand user and you need more ideas, then take a look at the keywords that media are searching for on PRShots and try and add those in.

October Diary - Weeks/Months

October is also known as ‘Stoptober’ which started as a campaign around giving up cigarettes, but is now joined by MacMillans Go Sober for October, so if you have anything non-alcoholic then get it on PRShots and make sure you add Stoptober and non-alcoholic as keywords. It’s also breast cancer awareness month, wool month, black history month, vegetarian awareness month, apple month, cookie month, spinach lovers’ month, pork month and national pasta, chilli and pizza month.

The second week is National Chocolate week, and National recycle Week (17-23^rd) and in the US the 14-20^th is national School Lunch week.

October - Days

20^th – National Office Chocolate Day (US)

24^th - Diwali

25^th – World pasta day

25^th – 2 months until Christmas day

26^th – National pumpkin day

27^th – National American Beer Day

28^th – National Chocolate Day (US)

29^th – National Cat Day (US)

30^th – Clocks go back tonight

31^st – Halloween

November

How to make your products attractive to the media in November    

We are well into autumn and the Christmas season and the media are looking for images that help them fill all those “what to buy on Black Friday” features, the endless Christmas gift guides, and all those “What to wear for the Christmas party season” articles.

You should be uploading Black Friday and Christmas images for most media, but long lead time magazines will be looking at January issues so anything that helps illustrate the inevitable “New you for 2023” issues, so athleisure, outdoor healthy sporty images will all be useful.

As always don’t forget to add keywords – Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Thanksgiving, Gifts, Christmas, Xmas, Winter plus all those words beloved of home and women’s magazines like cosy, cosiness, hygge, wellbeing.

Clothing wise the media are looking for party wear, party dresses, nightwear, “going out out” (thanks to Annie Mac Ex-Radio 1), Christmas Jumpers, jumpers, scarves, bobble hats, beanies, cardigans, coatigans, jackets, and coats. So, make sure that you have plenty of images in those categories uploaded and labelled with as many of those words as you can.

Also make sure that if your clothing is made from a fabric associated with winter that it’s flagged up somewhere in the title/keyword or in more information. Wool (woolovers are a thing), cashmere, fur (faux obviously) and velvet.

If you’re aiming at being included in Christmas Guides then make sure you have added prices. Guides are normally price-led eg “Presents under £50”, “Party dresses for less than £150” and without prices your items won’t be included.     

If you’re a PRShots brand user and you need more ideas, then take a look at the keywords that media are searching for on PRShots in the Keyword Search Report and try and add those in.

November Diary - Weeks/Months

Events to add to your marketing diary for November include

Movember which centres around men’s health issues and moustaches, so beard and shaving-related things might be useful, in the US it’s also national peanut butter lovers month, sweet potato month and candy month.

The first week of November is National Sausage Week in the UK – the perfect accompaniment to Guy Fawkes - the first week is also national fig week and the second week is national split pea soup week

November Diary - Days

1^st – World Vegan Day

1^st – All Saints’ Day

2^nd – All Souls’ Day

5^th – Guy Fawkes/Bonfire night

5^th – Two years until the US presidential elections

6^th – New York Marathon

11^th – Armistice/Remembrance Day

11^th – Chinese Singles Day

11^th – Veterans Day (US)

12^th – World Pneumonia Day

12^th – National Happy hour Day (US)

13^th – World Kindness Day

13^th - Remembrance Sunday

15^th – International Cheese and bread Day

17^th – Homemade bread day (US)  

17^th – International Students Day

19^th – International Men’s Day

24^th – Thanksgiving (US)

25^th – 1 month until Christmas Day

25^th – Black Friday

26^th – US Small Business Saturday

28^th – Cyber Monday

30^th – St Andrew’s Day (Bank Holiday Scotland)

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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