Main Image: George at Asda

PRShots Digest brings you the latest retail news from John Lewis, Kering, Sephora, Primark, Monsoon, Castore, Skims, Next, Hotter, Gap, Card Factory, Pandora, Ted Baker, and Joules. Plus articles on why email is still important, what not to do after you send a press release, why you need RFID and more.  

THE LATEST RETAIL INDUSTRY NEWS

John Lewis boss Sharon White vows to ‘preserve what makes JLP unique’

John Lewis chair Sharon White has vowed to “preserve what makes the John Lewis Partnership unique” adding that the brand’s mantra remains “value with values”.

Joules launches consultation over job cuts after Next takeover

Joules has started a consultation over potential job losses after new owner Next said it was looking to ramp up its transition plans.

Kering first-quarter sales lag rivals with 1% rise

Q1 sales at Kering rose by just 1% to €5.08bn as Gucci benefited less than rival luxury brands from a rebound in China and revenues fell by 18% in the US.

Planet Organic founders beat out Sainsbury’s to buy grocer out of administration

Planet Organic has been rescued from administration by Bioren Limited saving 10 out of the 14 stores and safeguarding 194 jobs in-store and 71 jobs in the head office.

Next to relaunch Joules in October ‘much earlier than expected’

Next has accelerated the relaunch of Joules to October 2023 from its original target of March 2024 thanks to significant progress in reducing the lead times.

Hotter owner Unbound favours Marwyn proposal over Woolovers

A potential £7m deal for WoolOvers to buy Hotter owner Unbound Group has fallen through as Unbound favours a £10m investment proposal by Marwyn Investment Management LLP.

Card Factory plots South Africa expansion with £2.5m acquisition

Card Factory has snapped up South African-based SA Greetings for £2.5m as it looks to tap into new markets overseas.

Hammerson sees strong momentum continue in Q1 results

Retail landlord Hammerson’s like-for-like gross rental income grew 5% with occupancy rates across its entire portfolio at 95% for the quarter ending 31 March.

UK beauty sales driven by bricks and mortar as ecommerce falters

British Beauty Council figures show all beauty market gains came from in-store retail in 2022 as online sales across the UK returned to lower pre-pandemic levels.

Gap to cut hundreds of jobs in new round of layoffs

Gap is to cut “hundreds of jobs” from its global workforce with the latest round of job cuts expected to be larger than the about 500 corporate roles it eliminated in September.

Shein pledges to put sustainability front and centre of growth ambitions

Shein executive vice chairman Donald Tang says everything the retailer will do over the next decade will be with “sustainability and ESG in mind” as it eyes its next phase of growth.

Handbag market to grow by $14.1bn from 2021 to 2027

The global handbag market is estimated to increase by a CAGR of 4.7% for the next five years growing the value of the market by $14.11bn from 2022 to 2027.

Most UK shoppers say retail staff make or break in-store experiences

A UK shopper survey found respect for retail staff was up 13 percentage points, with staff making or breaking their in-store experiences, and 37% now say they’re more respectful of retail staff.

TRENDS, STRATEGY AND TECHNOLOGY

Why email is still important

New DMA report shows consumers rate emails as more effective than all other channels for brand communications, 64% for discounts, offers and sales, and 53% for new products and services.

What not to do after you send a press release

PRWeek explains what to do once you’ve sent your eye-catching press release to journalists - and how to avoid the cardinal sins.

How Pandora has kept its shine and is still opening UK stores

Pandora UK and Ireland MD Rasmus Brix sits down with Retail Gazette to discuss how the jewellery giant has maintained a hold on shoppers in the UK and doubling down on physical retail.

How RFID is a game changer for retail inventory management

How RFID has become a game changer for retail inventory management and how RFID can be used to improve inventory management.

How AI can recession-proof your business

As economic headwinds threaten your business, adopting an automation solution can minimize a negative impact on your organisation.

GIY (grow it yourself) is the new trend this spring

With warmer, drier, and sunnier weather on the horizon, GIY (Grow It Yourself) looks set to be the new DIY for spring and summer.

PEOPLE, MOVERS AND SHAKERS

Ted Baker chief executive Rachel Osborne eyes exit

Ted Baker chief executive Rachel Osborne is understood to be close to leaving her post just six months after the retailer’s takeover by Authentic Brands.

BRAND NEWS

Sephora London store performing ‘300% better than expected’

Sephora owner LVMH’s has said its recently opened London store is performing more than 300% better than was predicted.

Amazon could be forced to recognise its first UK union

Amazon could have no choice but to recognise a trade union in the UK for the first time as the GMB claims it has enrolled the majority of workers at its warehouse in Coventry into the union.

Primark to expand Click + Collect trial in London

Primark is expanding its Click + Collect trial to 32 stores in London this summer adding to the 25-store trial it started last year in the North West, Yorkshire and North Wales.

Monsoon celebrate 50th anniversary with Portobello Rd pop-up

Monsoon has opened the doors to a pop-up boutique on Portobello Road, right where the brand’s story started on 25 April 1973.

Castore announces kit partnership with top Spanish football team

Manchester-based sportswear brand Castore has joined forces with football team Athletic Club Bilbao, becoming the club’s official kit partner for the 2023-24 season and beyond.

Skims releases largest offering of shapewear since launch

Skims’ upcoming collection, set to drop on 27 April, marks its largest offering of innovative new shapewear styles since its launch in 2019.

Fortnum & Mason Coronation Collection a storytelling triumph

Fortnum & Mason have launched an extensive Coronation Collection as well as a ‘behind the scenes’ look at the designs and products.

AND FINALLY

World's first virtual supermodel MetaHuman set to take on virtual runways

Eva Herzigová is the world’s first supermodel to become a realistic MetaHuman, created to star in virtual worlds as many fashion brands explore the digital realm.

PRSHOTS TOP 10 SEARCHES

What were our users searching for on PRShots Week ending April 21^st 2023?

1/ Summer

2/ Coronation

3/ Garden

4/ Bags

5/ Sunglasses

6/ Shoes

7/ Orange

8/ Cushion

9/ Bikini  

10/ Yellow

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

HebTroCo are based in Hebden Bridge and started in 2015 in the pub, they started selling trousers back in 2016 and have never looked back and now sell everything from jackets, to gifts, to their unique Action Blankets.  

Paria sell cycle clothing and accessories that couple urban influences with the grit and fervour of the Yorkshire countryside, and collaborate with artists, designers, and illustrators to create something inspiring that promotes a friendly and inclusive attitude to cycling.

Love Hero founders Joshua, Tanja and Heather believed there was a better way to produce clothing that didn’t cost the planet and could reflect the real people who live on it. Which resulted in Love Hero a planet-conscious clothing for ordinary people living extraordinary lives.

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.

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

Dune London and Dune London Men’s have their new Let’s Dance SS23 campaign of men and womens shoes and bags

Primark has new accessories ranges, Primark Cares ranges, Lilo and Stitch ranges, makeup, menswear, beachwear, and athleisure wear

Regatta has a new Orla Kiely collaboration range and camping tents and accessories

Accessorize has a wide range of new bags and purses

George at Asda has new summer beach and womenswear

TK Maxx has new clothing ranges for all along with picnic and beach wear  

F&F has new clothes for the summer and the beach

Roman Originals has new spring and summer ranges in all sizes

Barbour has new mens, womens and kids ranges

Very has the new Lucy Mecklenburgh range plus V by Very and Very Curve ranges

Aspiga has new womenswear ranges

Nologo has new Coronation clothing

Monsoon has new women and children’s summer ranges

Daisy Park  has a new Hinza range of bags

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

River Island has new womenswear ranges

Peacocks has new menswear, womenswear and teen ranges

Matalan has new womenswear plus menswear ranges from Taylor & Wright

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

Tu Clothing Bryony Bel Crew Clothing Oliver Bonas Radley Lipsy Threadbare Shoe Zone National Trust Shop Fatface Cotton Traders

Home, garden and food

Hobbycraft has new foam mosaic art and paint and sew your own ranges and cardboard shop and playhouses and Coronation items

TK Maxx has new homeware, picnic and beach accessories

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

Nologo has new Coronation gifts

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

Cutter & Squidge has new afternoon tea treats

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

The Range has new coronation ideas

Cuckooland has new kids beds, outdoor furniture and garden pods

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

See additional new home images from the last weeks from

Biscuiteers Baking Sofology Wilko National Trust shop Dunelm Marks & Spencer B&M Cult Furniture Next Branch Jewellery GettingPersonal Nest Cartwright & Butler

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 The Coronation – 10

Days until Father’s Day - 53

Days until Halloween – 188

Days until Singles Day - 199

Days until Black Friday – 212

Days until Christmas Day – 243

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;

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

April - Days

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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