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PRShots Digest brings you the latest retail news from Sainsbury, Hotel Chocolat, Puma, Frasers, Temu, Hunza G, AO, and M&S. Plus articles on how to use social media for market research, why Primark thinks stores aren’t dead, top 10 festivals for social reach and more.
THE LATEST RETAIL INDUSTRY NEWS
Sainsbury’s profits decline as it fights to keep prices down
Sainsbury’s Group sales were up 5.4% in the year to March 4 with underlying profit before tax of £690m, down 5% but at the top end of its £630-690m guidance range.
Sales of Sainsbury’s Tu clothing decreased by 3% year on year to £1bn for the year to March 4 although sales were on a par with those of the pre-pandemic period.
Hotel Chocolat updates on trading and strategic progress
Hotel Chocolat has said it expects sales for its 2023 financial year to be slightly lower than market expectations and that underlying pre-tax profit will be break even.
eBay revenues were up 1% to $2.5bn for Q1 with gross merchandise volume (GMV) down 5% to $18.4bn describing figures as "a solid start to the year.”
Meta exceeded Wall Street expectations with Q1 revenue up 3% to $28.6bn as advertisers returned and although net profits dropped 24% to $5.7bn they beat analysts’ forecasts of $5.3bn.
M&S drives forward with £23m investment in London portfolio
Marks & Spencer is opening a new 38,000 sq ft store in Croydon’s Purley Way and has announced a £12.5m investment in stores across London for the year ahead.
Digital ad spend grew 11% to £26.1bn in 2022 despite cost of living
IAB UK’s Digital Adspend report for 2022 found the UK digital ad market kept its double-digit growth with ad spend up 11% to £26.1bn with search accounting for £13.1bn and up 13%.
Puma Q1 sales were up 14.4% in Q1 to €2.19bn with sales in the EMEA region up 25.4%, and sales in Asia/Pacific sales up 27.4% in a return to growth in Greater China for the first time in two years.
Wealthy tourists spend less in London since end of VAT refunds
The New West End Company (NWEC) said that almost 71% of international visitors to London are spending less due to the VAT tax change rising to 93% for the highest spenders.
Frasers front runner to buy back Prévu from administration
Frasers Group has emerged as the front-runner to acquire menswear brand Prévu Studio after it went into administration last month
Gove delays M&S Marble Arch decision until July
Michael Gove has delayed his decision on the redevelopment plans for Marks & Spencer’s Marble Arch store until July.
Frasers to launch ‘own version of Amazon Prime’
Frasers Group chief executive Michael Murray said the retailer is to launch a new membership scheme and flexible payments solution which he described as a version of Amazon Prime.
Westfield acquires Hammerson’s Croydon JV stake
Westfield owner Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield has acquired the remaining 50% stake of the joint venture between it and from Hammerson on Croydon’s Centrale Mall and The Whitgift Centre.
TRENDS, STRATEGY AND TECHNOLOGY
How to use social media for market research
Don't sleep on social media market research. It can help boost sales, engage followers, and contribute to a winning social media strategy.
Why Primark thinks the store experience ‘should not be underestimated’
Finance director of Primark’s parent company ABF John Bason has said the experience of bricks-and-mortar stores should “not be underestimated.”
Will Temu see success in the UK?
E-commerce platform Temu has started selling to the UK. But will it repeat the success of its US launch in Europe?
Top 10 festivals for social reach
Bigger isn't always better for brands looking to amplify their social media reach at festivals. Glastonbury is the biggest live music gathering in the UK but only second for Instagram users.
How to outsource your SEO link building
Boost your SEO strategy with this guide to outsourcing link building for better website visibility and better search recognition.
BRAND NEWS
Klarna reveals new features for consumers and retailers
Klarna has launched Ask Klarna, Ads Manager, Creator Shops and a new personalised shopping feed, which aim to make shopping and reselling more personal, convenient and enjoyable.
Sustainable swimwear brand, Hunza G opens first London store
Sustainable swimwear brand Hunza G is to open its first-ever store in Covent Garden. It previously only stocked its collections in concession stores in Selfridges, Harrods, and Harvey Nichols.
Nike to open ‘digitally focused’ 13,500 sq ft Manchester store
Nike will be opening a new ‘digitally focused’ Nike Rise store in the centre of Manchester later this year, this will be the brand’s first store in Manchester and will take up 13,418sqft over two floors.
AO becomes first UK online retailer to stock ‘as new’ refurbished mobile phones
AO has become the UK’s first online retailer to offer “as new” mobile phones through its Mobile Phones Direct brand.
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.
AND FINALLY x2
How the new King has backed sustainability and education in fashion
FashionUnited takes a look back at the times His Royal Highness (HRH) has been an advocate for the fashion industry, both in the world of sustainability and through educational initiatives.
Etsy sellers offering fake ‘handmade’ products at ripoff prices
A Which? Investigation into Etsy finds rogue sellers charging up to seven times more for products than on other websites and selling fake 'handmade. products
PRSHOTS TOP 10 SEARCHES
What were our users searching for on PRShots Week ending April 21st 2023?
1/ Summer
2/ Coronation
3/ Garden
4/ Bags
5/ Sunglasses
6/ Shoes
7/ Orange
8/ Cushion
9/ Bikini
10/ Yellow
COLLABORATIONS ON PRSHOTS
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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
Threadbare has a new Greecian Getaway range
Oliver Bonas has new summer outfits and accessories
PrettyLittleThing has a new Gemma Owen collaboration, beach outfits, a Sasa By Lopez collection, and a new maternity wear collection featuring Sophia Smith.
Barbour has new mens, womens and kids ranges
Primark has new Kids and accessories ranges, Primark Cares ranges, and Lilo and Stitch ranges
New Look has new women’s summer wear, and footwear ranges
Office has new sandal and trainer ranges
Dune London and Dune London Men’s have their new Let’s Dance SS23 campaign of men and womens shoes and bags
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
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
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 Radley Lipsy Shoe Zone National Trust Shop Fatface Cotton Traders
Home, garden and food
Oliver Bonas has new home ranges for indoors and outdoors
Joe Browns has new homeware for the summer
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
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 – 9
Days until Father’s Day - 52
Days until Halloween – 187
Days until Singles Day - 198
Days until Black Friday – 211
Days until Christmas Day – 242
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
29th - International Dance Day
30th – Start of National Small Business Week
How to get your brand on the on the May Editorial Calendars, search engines and social media
We’re now well into Spring so carry on adding those spring-summer-related images and there are bank holidays aplenty this month, and hopefully we’ll have great weather. So add all those keywords relating to being out of the house and into the garden and the great outdoors; keywords to add include garden, garden parties, barbecues (don’t forget to add all of the other spellings BBQ, Bar-B-Que etc) picnics, outdoors etc.
Summer holidays are on the horizon so images of beach holidays and swimwear, as well as holiday clothes, festival clothes and all of the associated keywords and phrases eg sandals, beachwear, swimsuits, bikinis, linen, summer wear.
Although with the cost-of-living increases not everyone will be going abroad so still keep keywords and phrases like “staycation” “holistay” “holiday at home” to your keywords and why not suggest clothing like cardigans and hoodies for the colder UK evenings.
May is also the start of wedding season so if you have any wedding related items then get ready to promote them with any wedding keywords, bridal, bride, groom, hen party, stag do etc.
May Diary - Weeks/Months
May is National Walking Month, National Smile Month and Skin Cancer awareness month
It’s also;
Small Business Week – April 30th – May6th
Dementia UK Time for a cuppa (May 1st – May 8th)
National Gardening week (May 1st – May 7th)
National Vegetarian Week (May 15th – May 21st)
National Stationery Week (May 15th – May 21st)
Cannes Film Festival (May 16th – May 27th)
National Doughnut Week (May 20th – May 28th)
Sandwich Week (May 21st – May 27th)
Chelsea Flower Show (May 22nd – May 27th)
National Barbeque Week (May 29th – June 4th)
May - Days
1st – May Day
3rd – World Press Freedom Day
4th – World Password Day
4th – Star Wars Day
4th – Firefighters Memorial Day
5th –Cinco de Mayo (US Holiday)
6th – King’s Coronation
8th – VE day
8-9th – Lag B'Omer (Jewish Holiday)
9th – Europe Day
12th – International Nurses Day
13th – World Cocktail Day
13th – Eurovision Final in Liverpool
14th – Mother’s Day (US and Australia)
15th – International Day of Families
18th – Ascension Day
20th – World Bee Day
20th – World Whisky Day
21st – International Tea Day
22nd – World Goth Day
22nd – Craft Distillery Day (US)
25th - Geek Pride Day
25th – National Wine Day (US)
29th – National Biscuit Day
29th – Spring Bank Holiday
29th – Memorial Day (US)
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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