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PRShots Digest brings you the latest retail news from Boots, John Lewis, Asda, Surfdome, Adidas, Sainsburys, The Perfume Shop, Pepe Jeans, and Next. Plus articles on why you need experience-led growth, how to recruit ambassadors to your brand, the 8 best AI copywriting tools and more.

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THE LATEST RETAIL INDUSTRY NEWS

Next expected to unveil higher sales and profits

When Next reveals its results on Wednesday it’s expected to show sales up by around 6.9% to £4.6bn over the year and pre-tax profits up 4.5% to £860m

Boots owner mulls float or sale by end of 2023 to focus on US market

Walgreens, the US-based parent company of Boots, is looking either sell or float Boots so it can focus back on the US market.

Issa brothers close to merging Asda and EG petrol forecourts

Asda owners the Issa Brothers are close to completing a £12bn merger of the supermarket chain and their UK petrol stations

Staff ownership changes would be ‘a tragedy’

Ex-John Lewis boss Andy Street has urged the retailer not to change its staff ownership model, saying any move to take outside investment would be “a tragedy”

Surfdome owner scrambles to find new buyer

Surfdome’s parent company Internet Fusion Group has drafted in FRP Advisory to work on an emergency sale process.

WRAP recommends EPR scheme for UK's fashion & textile industry

WRAP has published two reports which outline its recommendations to the government for an Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme for the fashion and textile industry.

Frasers Group acquires Overgate Shopping Centre in Dundee

As predicted by the Sunday Times back in early February Frasers Group has acquired the 400,000 sq ft Overgate Shopping Centre in Dundee for an undisclosed sum

In The Style £1.2m sale narrowly approved by shareholders

In The Style’s shareholders approved its £1.2m sale to a private equity firm in a bid to avoid going into administration with 59% voting for the sale and 41% against.

Adidas and Beyoncé mutually agree to end Ivy Park partnership

Adidas and Beyoncé have agreed to part ways after a five-year partnership. The decision follows “major creative differences” and after Ivy Park generated just $40m of the expected $250m

Frasers to open 10 UK Sports Direct flagships in next five years

Frasers Group sportswear retailer Sports Direct is to expand its estate of flagship stores, opening a further 10 in the UK and another 10 across Europe within the next five years.

Sainsbury’s in talks with suppliers to fill space left by LloydsPharmacy

Sainsbury’s is reported to be in negotiations with suppliers over the future of the 237 in-store concessions being vacated by LloydsPharmacy.

Businesses losing revenue with poor online checkout experiences

Businesses are potentially losing up to £656m in revenue at the last mile as 52% shoppers ditch at least one online purchase in the last 12 months due to a poor experience at the online checkout

UK Gen Z shoppers embrace VAT-free EU spending post-Brexit

British tourists are taking advantage of their ability to shop tax-free within the EU, and Gen Z is leading the charge

Shoppers reducing spend in half of retail categories

Shoppers are spending less (50%), tightening their budget (48%), purchasing fewer non-essential items (45%), and shopping with less expensive brands (38%)

TRENDS, STRATEGY AND TECHNOLOGY

Why you need experience-led growth

experience-led growth is a strategy focused on improving the experience of existing customers can deliver breakthrough growth often more than double that of their industry peers

How to recruit ambassadors to promote your brand

How to recruit brand ambassadors for meaningful partnerships, and how to avoid alienating loyal customers

The 8 best AI copywriting tools

Ready or not, they’re here. AI copywriting tools can be your new best friend – but only if you know how to use them and which ones to choose

Why pushing customers for reviews can be bad for your business

Many companies chase customers for online reviews by sending them solicitation emails. These emails aren’t always a good idea, according to new research.

Should fashion quit TikTok?

TikTok, the short-form video platform best known for its funny videos and user-generated content, is currently in a state of flux

How a former Nike exec plans to elevate Sports Direct

Nike veteran Ger Wright joined Frasers Group 9 months ago MD of sport and launched a strategy designed to raise perceptions of the business and attract more high-profile brands to its store

How Millennials are maintaining the online boom

While online shopping has fallen back to normal levels and physical shopping has recovered however many consumers remain heavily focused on e-commerce particularly Millennials

BRAND NEWS

The Perfume Shop launches largest perfume bottle recycling scheme

The Perfume Shop has launched its biggest perfume bottle recycling service to date as part of its ongoing commitment to combat unnecessary bottle wastage.

Naomi Campbell is star of new Fendi Peekaboo bag campaign

Naomi Campbell is back as the face of the Fendi Peekaboo bag for its SS23 campaign, shot by British photographer David Sims.

Pepe Jeans hits the Moroccan desert for SS23 campaign

Pepe Jeans London latest SS23 men and womenswear campaign was shot in Marrakech and reflects the collections of natural-tone and include fabrics “made to withstand the heat”.

Balmain and Beyoncé debut Renaissance haute couture collaboration

French Luxury house Balmain has launched an haute couture collaboration with Beyoncé with inspiration coming from the singer’s Renaissance album

AND FINALLY

ARHT rolls out retail hologram experiences

AHRT’s new Capsule touchscreens display life-sized presenters and products, either live or on a video loop

PRSHOTS TOP 10 SEARCHES

What were our users searching for on PRShots Week ending March 24^th 2023?

1/ Easter

2/ Garden

3/ Coronation

4/ Pink

5/ Sunglasses

6/ Blue

7/ Bathroom

8/ Dress

9/ Candle  

10/ Cushion

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

Dune London has a new range of bags and kids shoe ranges for the summer

Regatta has new Orla Kiely collaboration ranges for the beach

Primark has a new Paula Echevarria and NFL Dolphins collaboration, beachwear and accessories, plus an EDIT range

Shoe Zone has new kids ranges

New Look has new footwear ranges, swimwear and summer clothing drops

PrettyLittleThing  has new festival collections, new ranges and collabs

Very has new V by Very and Very Curve ranges plus Michelle Keegan collaborations

Roman Originals has new spring and summer ranges in all sizes

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

National Trust Shop has new scarves, hats, bags and accessories

Matalan has new bags, hats and sandals

Threadbare has new mens and womens ranges

Peacocks has new womenswear ranges

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

Oliver Bonas has new dresses, bags, jewellery, shoes and accessories

Radley has new ranges but check the embargo

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

The Morphbag by JSK Marks & Spencer NoLoGo  Dancing Leopard Crew Clothing Very Bryony Bel  Lipsy Tu Clothing Teva Office TU Clothing Cath Kidston Joe Browns Aspiga From my mother’s garden

Home, garden and food

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

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

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

Cardfactory has new mermaid themed gifts

Dunelm has new camping and outdoor ranges homeware and Easter gifts and decorations

Cambridge Imprint has new cards and gifts

Marks & Spencer has new outdoor ranges

Furniture Village has new outdoor furniture

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

TK Maxx has new home ranges and toys

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

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

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

See additional new home images from the last weeks from

Branch Jewellery Primark GettingPersonal Nest Cartwright & Butler Cutter & Squidge Fatface George Home Daisy Park  Very Primark Home Cath Kidston

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 – 13

Days until Eid al-Fitr – 25

Days until The Coronation - 40

Days until Halloween – 218

Days until Singles Day - 229

Days until Black Friday – 242

Days until Christmas Day – 273

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 27^th – Apr 2^nd)

English Tourism Week (Mar 17^th – Mar 26^th)

Ideal Home Show (Mar 17^th – Apr 2^nd)

National Fragrance Week (Mar 20^th – Mar 26^th)

The Big Walk and Wheel (Mar 20^th – Mar 31^st) Changes

March - Days

31^st – 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

1^st – April Fool’s Day

5^th – Passover Begins

6^th – Maundy Thursday 

7^th – World Health Day  

7^th – National Beer Day (US)

7^th – Good Friday 

9^th – Easter Sunday 

10^th – Easter Monday

13^th – Passover Ends 

14th – Vaisakhi (Sikh New Year) 

14^th-16^th – Coachella Weekend One

15^th – Grand National

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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