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PRShots Digest brings you the latest retail news from Wickes, Boohoo, Christopher Kane, Joseph, The North Face, Sweaty Betty, Aries, Orlebar Brown, Dobbies, Primark, and Wilko. Plus, articles on how to use data to improve the customer experience, optimising emails for success, the top 30 retailers for 2026 and more.
THE LATEST RETAIL INDUSTRY NEWS
Wickes returns to growth in second quarter
Wickes has bounced back with a 3% growth in like-for-like sales in its Q2 despite a “challenging” trading environment and following a decline of 1.8% in Q1.
Mike Ashley eyes Leeds outlet shopping centre for £50m
Mike Ashley has offered nearly £50m to acquire Land Securities 250,000sq ft outlet shopping centre on the outskirts of Leeds.
Shein is being sued by H&M for copyright infringement in Hong Kong
Shein is being sued by rival H&M for copyright infringement in Hong Kong, where the litigation aimed at mitigating the threat posed by its Chinese rival has been underway since 2021.
Boohoo adds to Revolution Beauty stake
Boohoo Group has increased its stake in Revolution Beauty from 26.4% to 27.1% after settling a dispute with the firm that saw a number of Boohoo nominees joining the leadership team.
Amazon has closed its first UK ‘Just Walk Out’ store after two years
Amazon has closed its first “just walk out” till-less store in the UK – and the first outside of the US - which opened in Ealing Broadway in March 2021.
Primark lowers kidswear prices as it rolls out click and collect in London
Primark has lowered the price on 100s of its childrenswear products to “help family finances go further” and is rolling out its click-and-collect service to 32 more stores including in London.
Wilko receives cash injection from Hilco to secure future sale
Wilko has received £5m of additional funding from Hilco – the owner of Homebase and Cath Kidston - to help secure its future.
Christopher Kane bought in pre-pack deal
Designer Christopher Kane has bought the assets and intellectual property of More Joy and the Christopher Kane fashion labels in a pre-pack administration with his sister, Tammy Kane.
Saudi sovereign wealth fund was part of Selfridges takeover
A new report reveals that Saudi Arabia’s £500bn Public Investment Fund (PIF) was a backer of the £4bn takeover of Selfridges a year ago.
85% of retailers are confident about growth in the next year
A new report from Barclays ‘The New Retail Reality’ reveals 85% of retailers are confident about growth over the next year compared to the last 12 months, despite the cost of living crisis.
TRENDS, STRATEGY AND TECHNOLOGY
How to use data to improve the customer experience
With just over a quarter (26%) of businesses using data to improve their CX, the importance of appropriate investment in and leveraging of CI should be at the forefront of marketers’ minds.
How to optimise your emails for success
Take time now to review your standard welcome, onboarding, transactional, marketing, acquisition and op-in/opt-out emails to ensure they're optimised for success in Q4 and beyond.
The top 30 fashion retailers by 2026
Fashion retail has experienced a turbulent time, but retailers investing in elevation, partnerships, acquisitions and focused transformation are set to win. Retail Week predicts the retailers for 2026.
7-emails to boost back-to-school sales
Back-to-school purchases are among the top retail revenue generators and it looks like the 2023 selling season will likely break records.
Are London’s West End flagship stores just expensive billboards?
With footfall still lagging pre-pandemic levels and the cost of doing business increasing, how profitable are West End flagships? Is their primary focus brand building or selling product?
Why AI facial recognition is bringing ‘airport-style security’ to stores
A rising number of stores are using a facial recognition system powered by artificial intelligence to identify repeat shoplifters bringing “airport-style security” to the high street.
Superdrug launches new accessibility features to make online shopping more inclusive
Superdrug has launched a range of personalised accessibility features on its website to make it more inclusive and accessible for disabled customers.
PEOPLE, MOVERS AND SHAKERS
Dobbies appoints David Robinson as chief executive
Dobbies Garden Centres has appointed David Robinson as its new chief executive. He has joined the business from Pets at Home where he worked as chief operating officer for over four years.
BRAND NEWS
Joseph to open new flagship store on Regent Street
Joseph has signed the lease on a new store on Regent Street. The new Joseph store will be the brand’s sixth standalone store in London.
The North Face to expand Regent Street flagship
The North Face has signed a new 10-year lease on Regent Street to expand its global flagship by 10,000 sq ft across its ground and basement floors, to up its retail footprint by 33%.
Sweaty Betty to sponsor Royal Parks Half Marathon
Women's activewear brand Sweaty Betty has today announced its return as the official clothing partner of the Royal Parks Half Marathon, taking place on 8 October, for the second year running.
Streetwear brand Aries and Malibu launch collaboration
Cult luxury streetwear brand Aries, founded by designer Sofia Prantera in 2010, has partnered with rum-based coconut flavoured liqueur brand Malibu on a limited-edition collaboration collection.
Orlebar Brown launches Octopussy capsule collection
British brand Orlebar Brown is paying homage to the growing popular film Octopussy, a 1983 spy film and the thirteenth in the James Bond series, with the launch of an exclusive capsule collection.
AND FINALLY x2
Greggs opens first London airport store at Gatwick
Greggs has opened its first London airport store at Gatwick’s South Terminal. The store will be open 24 hours a day and will be twice the size of a traditional Greggs shop.
March 2024 Issue of British Vogue to Be Edward Enninful’s Last
British Vogue editor-in-chief Edward Enninful confirmed via a post on the magazine’s Instagram account that the March 2024 issue will be his last issue at the helm of the publication.
PRSHOTS TOP 10 SEARCHES
What were our users searching for on PRShots Week ending July 21st 2023?
1/ AW23
2/ Christmas
3/ Barbie
4/ Beach
5/ Pink
6/ Bikini
7/ Swimwear
8/ Halloween
9/ Back to School
10/ Garden
COLLABORATIONS ON PRSHOTS
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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
Monsoon has new back-to-school kids clothing ranges and womenswear, including bags, scarves, dresses, kaftans, jackets and jumpers, accessories and jewellery.
Dune London has new trainers, ankle and cowboy boots, shoes, luggage, sandals and bags.
Threadbare has more summer clothing with a RHS collaboration, cool womenswear and menswear in its Urban Renaissance and Luxe ranges.
Primark has a new Flexi Formal range plus the Edit AW23 range, monogram bag ranges, back-to-school ranges, and a Barbie movie range.
George at Asda has new George clothing, bags, boots and accessories.
Deichmann UK has new winter shoes and boots as well as evening wear and a Barbie collaboration of shoes and bags.
New Look has more new July drops as well as women’s summer wear, accessories, and footwear ranges.
Oliver Bonas has jewellery boxes, clothing, accessories, footwear and jewellery ranges.
Barbour has new gift ranges for Christmas plus new menswear, and womenswear for AW23, and bags, scarves and back-to-school ranges.
Scamp & Dude has new bags, dresses and headbands.
National Trust shop has new jewellery and fashion ranges for Christmas plus summer outdoor gifts plus autumn and winter accessories.
TK Maxx has new mens, womens and kids clothing and back to school ranges for AW23
Radley has new bag and shoe ranges for releases in August/September/October AW23.
Tu Clothing has new AW23 womenswear clothing, coats, shoes, boots, bags and accessories.
Curvy Kate has new Balcony, Heart, Plunge, Non-Stop, Key to the Peep Show, Elementary, Frill Me, Amaze, Centrepiece, Authority, Retro Wave, High Waist, Happy Boobs 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.
Shoe Zone has new back-to-school and women’s and men’s shoes.
Roman Originals has new floral outfits, spring and summer ranges in all sizes.
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
See additional new clothing and accessories images from the last few weeks at
From my mother’s garden Fatface Peacocks Joe Browns Accessorize Aspiga Cotton Traders River Island Lipsy Teva Daisy Park The Night Store Office Very Bonmarché F&F Silk & Lawn
Home, garden and food
Dobbies Garden Centres has new Christmas wreaths, and Christmas gifts and decorations, plus house plant and outdoor living collections.
Dunelm has new furniture ranges, collaboration with Star Wars and the Natural History Museum and has Christmas decorations for the dining room, living room and the tree.
National Trust shop has new Christmas gifts, decorations and cards plus National Trust Vango camping ranges and things for the garden and home.
The Range has new gift collections.
Primark Home has a new AW23 home ranges for the bedroom, kitchen and dining room.
Biscuiteers Baking has new goodies for Christmas from gifts to edible decorations.
Matalan has new decorations for Christmas as well as accessories for the lounge and dining room.
George Home has new things for the home for the lounge, bedroom, bathroom and kitchen.
Homesense has new AW23 homeware for the bedroom, lounge, kitchen and bathroom and Halloween decorations as well as gifting ranges.
Cuckooland has an innovative 2-person roof-mounted tent.
Cult Furniture has new home ranges and dining and office chairs, cushions, and new furniture and lamps.
Oliver Bonas has new household gifts and accessories as well as furniture for the bedroom and the lounge and decorations for the tree.
Hotel Chocolat has new summer chocolate gift box ranges.
Marks & Spencer has new furniture ranges for the living room., dining room and bedroom.
Sofology has new Bridgerton, Midland Hill, Richmond, Rococo and Emperor ranges of furniture and accessories.
Cartwright & Butler has new Halloween goodies as well as Christmas hampers, advent calendars, and gift boxes.
Wilko has new ranges for the kitchen, dining room and the lounge.
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.
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.
See additional new home images from the last weeks from
B&M Tweedmill Cutter & Squidge Ivyline Imp & Maker Furniture Village Daisy Park Designers Guild 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 Calendar Alerts
Days until Halloween - 98
Days until Singles Day – 109
Days until Black Friday – 122
Days until Christmas Day - 153
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 the Men’s and Women’s Ashes tournaments (continues through July), the Women’s Football World cup (20th July onwards) and it’s Cowes Week (29th Jul - 5th Aug).
July - Days
25th – Christmas in July (5 months until Christmas)
26th - Tisha B'Av (Jewish Holiday)
29th – National Lipstick Day
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 25-27th August.
The 24th marks 3 months until the Black Friday/Cyber Monday (24-27th Nov) weekend so start preparing for those sales now.
Weeks to celebrate this month include; World Breastfeeding week (1-7th August) the Edinburgh Festival (5-28th August)
August - Days
1st – Yorkshire Day
4th – International Beer Day
5th-6th – Brighton Pride
7th – Summer bank holiday Scotland
8th – International Cat Day
9th – Book Lovers Day
10th - National Shapewear Day
11th – National Bakewell Tart Day
12th – International Youth Day
12th – National Vinyl Records Day
13th – International lefthanders Day
13th – National Prosecco Day
15th – VJ (Victory over Japan) Day
16th – National Rum Day
17th – UK Cupcake Day
18th – National Grooming Day
20th – World Honey Bee Day
21st – World Senior Citizens Day
23rd - International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition
24th – 3 Months until Black Friday
24th – National Burger Day
25th – National Second-hand Wardrobe Day
25th – Christmas in August (4 months until Christmas Day)
26-28th – Notting Hill Carnival
26th - Women's Equality Day
28th – August Bank Holiday
28th – National Red Wine Day
30th - 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!!!
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