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PRShots Digest brings you the latest retail news from New Look, Kingfisher, On, Scotch & Soda, Boux Avenue, PLBY, Claire’s, Umbro, Roxy and ScS. Plus articles on how to write a good ChatGPT prompt, using tech to create a better customer experience, how to get the most out of TikTok and more.
THE LATEST RETAIL INDUSTRY NEWS
ScS H1 gross sales increased 3.4% to £154.9m but saw an underlying loss before tax of £4.7m, up £0.9m on 2021 but expects profitability to increase in H2.
British Land splashes out £94m on three new retail parks
British Land is on a spending spree with £94m spent since November on Capitol Retail and Leisure Park Preston, Solartron Retail Park Farnborough and DFS warehouse Cambridge.
Kingfisher posts drop in annual profit
B&Q and Screwfix owner Kingfisher FY22 sales were up 0.7% to £13.06bn but adjusted pre-tax profit was down by 20.2% to £758m due to cutbacks on DIY spending during the cost-of-living crisis.
New Look reveals new redundancies with 70 head office roles at risk
New Look is placing 70 roles at risk at its London and Weymouth head offices as part of a wider examination of the business
On Holding moves into the black
On Holding results for its first full year as a public company saw a swing to profitability £50.82m up from a loss of £149.92m as sales hit £1.06bn and expects 61% sales growth in Q1 and 39% for 2023.
Scotch & Soda files for bankruptcy for Dutch operations
Scotch & Soda has filed for bankruptcy for its Dutch operations following “severe cash flow issues,” despite record sales of €342.5m in FY21/22, and is looking for a buyer for the business
PLBY Group sales growth strong in 2022
PLBY Group owner of Playboy and Honey Birdette revenues for FY22 grew 8% to $266.9m but saw a net loss of $277.7m due to the write-down of goodwill, trademarks and other assets.
Oxford Street has more empty shops than average British high street
London’s premier shopping thoroughfare is lined with more vacant units than the average British high street
TRENDS, STRATEGY AND TECHNOLOGY
Three essentials for writing a good ChatGPT prompt
ChatGPT is only as good as the prompts you give it. Here are the three essentials of writing a good one.
Using technology to create a better customer experience
A compelling CX demands balancing customer empathy with technology to avoid falling into the trap of letting your automation strategy set the tone for your relationship with your customers
How to use your brand’s organic social media to get new customers
Organic social media is not just as a place to build community, reach new audiences and engage with the audience, but to become a new kind of search engine for online users.
How to drive conversions with TikTok for business
TikTok has become one of the most popular social media platforms, but it can be hard to keep up with the latest TikTok trends, and which ones to jump on to align with your business goals.
How to effectively transform digital experiences with AI
AI services can now write emails, blog posts and even code making it a powerful tool, but brands need to understand the technology and test it first, rather than betting the house on it
IKEA now uses 100 drones for inventory operations
IKEA is using 100 drones in its warehouses to ensure stock accuracy and offer a real-time overview of the items in its Belgian, Croatian, Slovenian, German, Italian, Dutch and Swiss warehouses.
PEOPLE, MOVERS AND SHAKERS
Boux Avenue poaches new marketing boss from Ted Baker
Boux Avenue has announced that Jason Beckley will join the lingerie retailer as its new chief marketing officer.
BRAND NEWS
Claire’s launches in-store partnership with Asda
Fashion retailer Claire’s has announced a partnership with Asda and will stock its products in over 500 supermarkets across the UK as part of an “ongoing successful consumer products partnership”.
Swiss label On moves into pro tennis
On has entered the professional tennis sector with key signings including Polish world number one and three-time Grand Slam Champion Iga Świątek, as well as American rising star Ben Shelton.
Umbro has launched a new fashion/music partnership with music video channel MTV for a range of back to the ‘90s rave clothing, hats, shoes and accessories.
Roxy unveils collaboration with Mizuno
Female action sports brand Roxy, part of Boardriders, has unveiled a collaboration with Japanese sporting manufacturer Mizuno.
AND FINALLY
Elton John launches pop-up at Selfridges Corner Shop
Selfridges has introduced a new Elton John pop-up to its Selfridges Corner Shop, including collaborations with Christopher Kane, More Joy, Dr Martens and Richard James.
PRSHOTS TOP 10 SEARCHES
What were our users searching for on PRShots Week ending March 17th 2023?
1/ Easter
2/ Mother’s Day
3/ Garden
4/ Bathroom
5/ Pink
6/ Kitchen
7/ Earrings
8/ Bag
9/ Cushion
10/ Bedroom
COLLABORATIONS ON PRSHOTS
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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
TK Maxx has new clothing, shoes, make up and accessories
Barbour has new mens, womens and kids ranges
River Island has a new Nine range as well as swimwear and accessories, spring/summer clothing
Dune London Men’s has new SS23 shoes and accessories ranges
Roman Originals has new spring and summer ranges in all sizes
National Trust Shop has new scarves, hats, bags and accessories
Primark has new EDIT range and new shoes, beachwear, plus new women and mens summer clothing, makeup and kids clothing and accessories
Matalan has new bags, hats and sandals
New Look has new swimwear and summer clothing drops
Threadbare has new mens and womens ranges
Very has new V by Very and Very Curve ranges plus Michelle Keegan collaborations
Peacocks has new womenswear ranges
PrettyLittleThing has PrettyLittleThing and Teyana Taylor Designer of the Year and new ranges and collabs
Fatface has new mens, womens and kids ranges
Monsoon has a new SS23 childrenswear, womenswear, shoes, bags, jewellery, and accessories
Cotton Traders has new summer wear imagery
Dune London has new bags and kids shoe ranges for the summer
Oliver Bonas has new dresses, bags, jewellery, shoes and accessories
The Morphbag by JSK has new PETA certified vegan bag ranges
Marks & Spencer has new M&S Collection bags, sunglasses, shoes and hats for the summer, a new denim collection, and lingerie from its “Love your Boobs” campaign
Radley has new ranges but check the embargo
See additional new clothing and accessories images from the last few weeks at
NoLoGo Dancing Leopard Crew Clothing Very Bryony Bel Lipsy Tu Clothing Regatta Teva Office TU Clothing Cath Kidston Joe Browns Aspiga From my mother’s garden TK Maxx Night Store John Lewis
Home and food
TK Maxx has new home ranges and toys
Ivyline has a new grow your own range of garden pots, planters, hanging baskets, firepits and mirrors and more
Homesense has new gift ranges for pets, party ranges, home furniture and things for outdoor dining
The Range has Easter homeware and decorations, plus kitchen and homeware to keep you organised in 2023
Cuckooland has new outdoor furniture
Biscuiteers Baking has new coronation goodies as well as Smiley 50th birthday ranges plus Easter and Father’s Day
Nologo has new tableware
Dobbies Garden Centres has new terrariums, plants, pet ranges, things for the home, and patio furniture.
National Trust shop has new plant collections, Easter gifts and summer items for outdoor living
B&M has new animal gifts
Oliver Bonas has new home ranges
Sofology has a new Sapporo, Hetty and Fellini ranges and a new corner sofa bed
Dunelm has new camping and outdoor ranges homeware and Easter gifts and decorations
Wilko has new gifts and home items
Cult Furniture has new interiors items as well as tables and chairs
Fritz Fryer has new lighting solutions
Next launches outdoor dining ranges, Easter collections as well as a new Tahiti, Stockholm, Arches, Valencia and Medley interiors collections
Branch Jewellery has new ranges
Primark has new bright homeware for the kitchen and bathroom and for Easter events
GettingPersonal has new unique personalised gifts
Nest Has outdoor living furniture and interior ideas
See additional new home images from the last weeks from
Furniture Village Cardfactory Cartwright & Butler Cutter & Squidge Fatface George Home Daisy Park Very Primark Home Cath Kidston Hotel Chocolat John Lewis Marks & Spencer Cambridge Imprint
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 Alert
Days until Easter – 19
Days until Eid al-Fitr – 31
Days until The Coronation - 46
Days until Halloween – 224
Days until Singles Day - 235
Days until Black Friday – 248
Days until Christmas Day – 279
How to get your brand on the March Editorial Calendars, search engines and social media
March is mostly about preparing for the big Easter holidays in April so make sure you are starting to include relevant Easter keywords, plus it’s also the time people make their first big getaway abroad so any keywords and clothes for warmer climes, loungewear, going out wear, swimsuits, bikinis etc should be added.
Plus, as we’re now definitely in Spring, carry on adding those spring and summer-related images and adding keywords relating to the summer like swimwear, outdoor living, garden, garden parties and Barbecues (don’t forget to add all of the other spellings BBQ, Bar-B-Que etc).
We’re also starting to get ready for the bridal season – the peak is May to October – so If you have bridal wear or anything appropriate to weddings then start to upload it, and label it with the keyword wedding.
Lastly, it’s Oscar month so why not upload some smart suits and dresses and create an Oscar section for an evening watching the Oscars.
If you’re looking for more hooks to help promote your brand and products then see the list of days, weeks and fortnights below.
March Diary - Weeks/Months
In the UK it’s National Bed Month - Introduced by The Sleep Council and The National Bed Federation, it aims to raise awareness of the importance of sleep so push anything sleep-related. it’s also the British Heart Foundation Dechox month which encourages people to give up chocolate – cakes and biscuits - for the month! So, any chocolate, biscuit or cake alternatives should be pushed.
Interesting Stat: National No-Smoking day was originally on Ash Wednesday when it was started in 1984. It was moved to the second Wednesday in March as, while it’s less easy to remember, the date doesn’t move around the calendar quite so much as Ash Wednesday does.
Other events include;
Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month
World Autism Awareness Week (Mar 27th – Apr 2nd)
English Tourism Week (Mar 17th – Mar 26th)
Ideal Home Show (Mar 17th – Apr 2nd)
London Bridal Fashion Week (Mar 19th - Mar 21st)
National Fragrance Week (Mar 20th – Mar 26th)
The Big Walk and Wheel (Mar 20th – Mar 31st) Changes
March - Days
20th – First Day of Spring
21st – International Day of Forests
21st – World Poetry Day
22nd – World Water Day
22nd - Start of Ramadan
25th – National Bridesmaids Day
26th – British Summertime Begins
26th – Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race
31st – Wear a Hat Day (Brain Tumour Research)
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;
World Autism Awareness Week (Mar 27th – Apr 2nd)
Community Garden Week (Apr 3rd – Apr 9th)
Discover National Parks Fortnight (Apr 4th – Apr 18th)
International Dark-Sky Week (Apr 15th – Apr 22nd)
Allergy Awareness Week (Apr 20th – Apr 25th)
MS Awareness Week (Apr 24th – Apr 30th)
April - Days
1st – April Fool’s Day
5th – Passover Begins
6th – Maundy Thursday
7th – World Health Day
7th – National Beer Day (US)
7th – Good Friday
9th – Easter Sunday
10th – Easter Monday
13th – Passover Ends
14th – Vaisakhi (Sikh New Year)
14th-16th – Coachella Weekend One
15th – Grand National
21st - National Tea Day
21st – End of Ramadan
22nd – Earth Day
21st- 23rd – Coachella Weekend Two
23rd – St George’s Day
23rd - National Asparagus Day
23rd – Shakespeare Day
24th - National Skipping Day
24th – Fashion Revolution Day
25th – World Malaria Day
25th – National Lingerie Day
26th – Stop Food Waste Day
29th - 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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