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The latest retail news from Card Factory, Matalan, Hill & Friends, Gymshark, Hackett, JYSK, Twisted Tailor, Coco de Mer and articles on why advertising isn’t everything, what shoppers want at Christmas, how virtual shopping is the future of retail and more.

To see the latest news go to our Twitter account @prshotsr

THE LATEST RETAIL INDUSTRY NEWS

UK consumers to tighten their belts this Christmas, but e-commerce remains strong

37% of consumers expect to spend less at Christmas and 58% have already reduced spending on non-essential items, however, 33% say they’ve shopped online more frequently since march.

Klarna to make second round of job cuts

Klarna is to embark on a second round of around 100 job cuts within the IT and recruiting departments, the cuts come just four months after it cut 10% of its global workforce.

Card Factory swings back to black following consumers’ return to high street

Card Factory saw a profit before tax of £14.3m in half to July 31, up from a loss of £6.5m a year previously thanks to a “shift of customer spend back towards the high street.”

Matalan expects sales of £1.4bn by FY26 as revenues rise

Matalan’s last quarter trading update sees an increase in sales to £286.4m with a restated EBITDA of £13.1m and predicts sales of £1.4bn by FY26 with online sales up to 26% in FY26 from 19% in FY23

BRC publishes guideline on secondhand and pre-loved items

The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has launched new guidelines on selling second-hand items so that retailers can better adhere to and further circular fashion principles.

Retailers push for VAT-free shopping return to be fast-tracked

​The news that VAT-free shopping for tourists is returning and will include EU visitors has been tempered by suggestions it won’t happen until 2024. But retail is pushing for an earlier date.

Hill & Friends owner Pittards enjoys solid progress in H1

Leather and luxury goods specialist producer Pittards half to July saw group revenues up 7% to £10.37m and EBITDA improved 11% to £0.83m.

TRENDS, STRATEGY AND TECHNOLOGY

Why advertising isn’t everything

Watch retailer Hodinkee did no paid advertising for 10 years but instead produced content, their blog generates 3.6M views a month, and their detailed product pages generate $100m revenue

What shoppers want this Christmas

As the cost-of-living crisis wipes out footfall gains made in 2022, a new forecast suggests shoppers will be looking for discounts as well as presents

The future of shopping is a virtual shopping universe

The future of shopping is coming. A physical portal into the world's first virtual shopping universe, called xydrobe, is launching in 2023.

Aldi boss Hurley on how they plan to expand

Aldi boss Giles Hurley discusses the key issues facing the business – and how it is planning to take further share in a fiercely competitive market.

How Superdrug is gearing up for its imminent marketplace launch

Superdrug IT director Andrew Cobb on its continual investment in technology ahead of the anticipated marketplace launch.

Creating cost-effective customer acquisition and retention

Tailored content marketing can help build a strong brand identity, increase authority, improve your organic search traffic, and provide new sales opportunities from organic social media.

How to make your sustainable clothes more “sustainable”

When environmental issues are a hot topic in the press, fashionistas are also increasingly shifting their attention from fast fashion to sustainable fashion.

How to get your supply chain ready for Christmas

With shoppers counting every penny, retailers need the most accurate supply chain data to manage demand during the peak Black Friday and Christmas sales period

PEOPLE, MOVERS AND SHAKERS

Gymshark names ex-Asos exec Mat Dunn as its new CFO

Gymshark has named former Asos chief operating officer and chief financial officer Mat Dunn as its new Chief Financial Officer.

Nigel Oddy appointed interim CEO of Matalan amid sale process

Matalan has named former New Look chief executive Nigel Oddy as its interim CEO as the company’s process to sell itself begins.

BRAND NEWS

Hackett redesigns logo and releases AW22 campaign

Hackett London has announced the launch of its autumn/winter 2022 campaign, which features a continued collaboration with British Formula 1 World Champion, Jenson Button.

TV fashion stylist Gemma Sheppard launches collection on QVC

Stylist Gemma Sheppard has launched her own label, her debut fashion collection, in a link-up with Melanie Davis, founder of womenswear labels Pamplemousse and Body Frock and QVC UK.

JYSK continues its expansion

Danish furniture retailer JYSK is continuing its UK expansion with the opening of a new store in Barnsley JYSK already has 26 stores in the UK and is planning more in the country later in 2022.

Zara teams up with Elie Top to launch a jewellery collection

Zara's collaboration strategy to partner with renowned names to move upmarket is extending to jewellery, with a collection created with Lanvin's praised jewellery designer Elie Top.

Twisted Tailor joins forces with Conor McGregor’s brand

Threadology owned Twisted Tailor has launched a new limited edition capsule tailoring collection with August McGregor, which is jointly owned by Irish mixed martial artist Conor McGregor.

Coco de Mer launches latest ‘Icons’ collection and campaign with Helena Christensen

Lingerie brand Coco de Mer has launched its latest ‘Icons’ collection with 90s supermodel Helena Christensen once again fronting the campaign, this time called ‘The Female Gaze Redefined’.

AND FINALLY

Oxford Street to reduce opening hours for Christmas lights display amid energy crisis

Oxford Street’s Christmas lights will have reduced operating hours this year and will use energy-efficient LED bulbs in a bid to reduce energy consumption

PRSHOTS TOP 10 SEARCHES

What were our users searching for on PRShots week-ending Sep 23^rd 2022?

1/ AW22

2/ Christmas  

3/ Halloween  

4/ Coat

5/ Bauble

6/ Cardigan

7/ Bathroom

8/ Art

9/ Velvet   

10/ Rugs

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

TaskPR has added it’s rosta of big name brands to PRShots with womens wear images from Joules Bias Cut DKNY Jaeger  mens wear from Jaeger jewellery from Annie Haak Tateossian Thomas Sabo watches and jewellery from Movado and occasion wear from Azazie    

Somerset by Alice Temperley embodies all of the hallmarks of the Temperley aesthetic –whimsy; unabashed femininity, wild prints and dresses that float from office to after hours.

Little Mistress is a specialist in occasion wear. From proms to graduations, weddings to christenings and every social event in between, their hyper-feminine details, jaw-dropping silhouettes and ultra-luxurious fabrics they’re designed to make the wearers feel like a million dollars. The new ranges include a phot shoot with celeb Dani Dyer.

Bridge Coffee Roasters launched Bridge in 1985 by sourcing and providing the very best coffee from around the world, and since then Bridge Coffee Roasters has bloomed into roasting and selling coffee, coffee machines and accessories

Threadbare is a proud family-owned British brand bringing great quality up-to-date fashion trends for men, women, children and dogs at affordable prices. Elevated, everyday, essentials

Ivyline creates contemporary accessories for the home and garden. Founded in 1976 the UK team works on everything from initial design to eventual dispatch. Its ethical product range comprises everything from fire pits and candles to planters, plant pots and everything in between.

Wild Clouds started because they wanted more from their clothing. More sustainability, more longevity, more versatility, more comfort, and they wanted them to be affordable. They’re committed to slow fashion, making seasonless clothing locally in London, using the most sustainable materials they can find.

Sarvin is a Persian-influenced brand, delivering ethically conscious womenswear with distinctive, high-quality garments handpicked from the finest fabrics and materials designed with the majority of the clothes made in the UK.

Teva produced the original sport sandal on the shores of the Grand Canyon back in 1984. Born out of necessity to prevent sandals from floating downstream, a resourceful river guide strapped two Velcro watchbands to a pair of old flip-flops. And just like that, Teva was born.

Cutter & Squidge is a family-run, all-natural bakery created by two food-obsessed sisters. Playfulness is their passion, they love to create exciting, experimental flavours and artisan designs. Their bakes and gifts are lovingly handcrafted to taste delicious and look exquisite on any occasion.

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

From my mother’s garden has new AW22 clothes and bags

Matalan has new AW22 collections and Alder Hey 2022 collections

Peacocks  has a new collections and Louise Redknapp collaborations

Roman Originals has new party and going out outfits

Dancing Leopard has new AW22 womenswear ranges 

Dune London has new shoe ranges

New Look has new women’s shoes and Christmas outfits

Joe Browns  has new Christmas ranges

Marks & Spencer have new clothing, shoes and boot ranges and Christmas jumpers

Very has new Michelle Keegan ranges and new accessories and bags

Hope Fashion has cosy winter ranges

Fatface has new AW22 ranges

Barbour has new items from its Modern Heritage range for cosy autumn and winter walks

Primark has new clothing and accessory ranges for women and young adults and added beauty ranges

The Range has new Christmas jumpers for all the family

Accessorize has 100s of new bags and jewellery and accessories

F&F has new winter clothing ranges

River Island has new AW22 kids, womens and mens lines and beauty Advent calendars

Lemuel MC has a new unisex Linen for Winter range 

Bonmarché has a new Lorraine Loves by Lorraine Kelly line

M&Co  has new AW22 drops for men, women and kids and Christmas gifts and clothing

TK Maxx has new AW22 clothing for adults and kids

NoLoGo  has new pyjama ranges

PrettyLittleThing  has new Halloween ranges

Sonder Studio has new Christmas and AW ranges

See more new clothing and accessories images from the last two weeks from

Fatface Oliver Bonas Regatta Very John Lewis Bryony Bel Lipsy George at Asda Seol + Gold Shoe Zone Dune London Men’s Freemans  Monsoon  Office TU Clothing  

Home and food

Paperchase has added more Christmas decorations and gifts and folkart stationery ranges

TK Maxx and Homesense have new homeware and Christmas goodies

KMI Brands have new curly styling essentials

Marks & Spencer have new personalised Christmas gifts and Christmas decorations

DFS has new ranges for the living room and bedroom including a Cath Kidston collaboration

Sofology has new sofa ranges

Wilko has festive decorations and gifts for Christmas and Halloween, and AW22 home 

The Range has Halloween ranges

Fatface has new Christmas gift ranges

Very has new gifts and decorations

Habitat has Christmas decorations and home ranges

Cult Furniture  has new bar stools and furniture

Luxdeco had new gifts and homeware

Hotel Chocolat has new velvetisers, Christmas gifts, chocolates and advent calendars

Cuckooland has new sofas and childrens beds and bedding

M&Co  has new Christmas decorations

B&M has new home gifts

Dobbies Garden Centres has new home goods, pet accessories, Christmas decorations and gifts and spooky Halloween plants

Cath Kidston has a new Great British Bake-off collaboration range

See more new home images from the last two weeks from

Cambridge Imprint National Trust Shop Abstract House George Home Marks & Spencer Nest Christy Primark Matalan Cardfactory Oliver Bonas Next Daisy Park Freemans Primark Home Homesense Biscuiteers Baking Regatta John Lewis Fritz Fryer Furniture Village NoLoGo

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

Days Until Halloween – 34

Days Until Black Friday – 59

Days Until Cyber Monday - 62

Days Until Christmas Day – 89

October

How to make your products attractive to the media in October    

We’re into autumn and the nights are starting to draw in and the heating is on - at last! Although at a much-reduced rate.  The media are looking for images that reflect the changes so anything that looks cosy and warm is good, roaring fires, big jumpers, coats, hats, knitwear, scarfs and wellies in a leaf-strewn outdoors – all the cliches – are what the media are looking for. If you can do some night shots with sparklers, then you’re also ticking the boxes for bonfire night next month. We also have Halloween at the end of the month, so if you can get a pumpkin in your images then you’re hitting two birds with one stone.  

You should be adding Christmas images and for those magazines with long lead times then start to look for the images of people working off the Christmas excesses for the January issues. 

Don’t forget to add keywords – Gifts, Christmas, Xmas, Autumn, Winter, Halloween, fireworks night, bonfire night will all be looked for. Also, we have a wide audience with media from around the World so add those American holiday versions eg the holidays, Fall, Pumpkin day, Thanksgiving etc and words like hygge that are starting to enter the language. 

Also cost-of living crises maybe a good keyword to add especially on warm clothing

Media will also be searching for party outfits for Halloween, Guy Fawkes, and the office party season will be on us soon.  Christmas gift guides are also useful, try and be creative, do ones for every eventuality eg  gifts guides for him/her/mum/dad/kids/teenagers/pets etc also gifts under £150/100/£50 and for guides for secret Santa’s gifts under £20.

Please put prices on everything!!! Otherwise, you stand no chance of getting into any of the features that include “Presents under £50”, “Party dresses for £150” etc   

If you’re a PRShots brand user and you need more ideas, then take a look at the keywords that media are searching for on PRShots and try and add those in.

October Diary - Weeks/Months

October is also known as ‘Stoptober’ which started as a campaign around giving up cigarettes, but is now joined by MacMillans Go Sober for October, so if you have anything non-alcoholic then get it on PRShots and make sure you add Stoptober and non-alcoholic as keywords. It’s also breast cancer awareness month, black history month, vegetarian awareness month, apple month, cookie month, spinach lovers’ month, pork month and national pasta, chilli and pizza month.

The second week is National Chocolate week, and in the US the 14-20^th is national School Lunch week.

October - Days

1^st – World Vegetarian Day

1^st – International Coffee Day

2^nd - Gandhi Jayanthi – The birthday of Mahatma Gandhi - Holiday India

3^rd – Mean Girl’s Day (apparently, it’s a thing right!!)

4^th – Yom Kippur begins

4^th – National Vodka Day (US)

4^th – Navaratri Hindu festival ends

4^th – Vijayadashami/Dussehra Hindu festival

5^th – UN World Teachers’ Day

5^th – Navaratri ends

6^th – National Poetry Day

6^th - National Plus Size Appreciation Day

7^th – National LED light Day

7^th-8^th  – Eid Milad un Nabi (Mawlid)

9^th – First Day of Sukkot – Jewish Holiday

10^th – UN World Mental Health Day

10^th – National Cake Decorating Day

13^th – National Yorkshire Pudding Day (US)

15^th – Hoshana Rabbah

16^th – Last Day of Sukkot

16^th – Shemini Atzeret

16^th – UN World Food Day

16^th – Department store day

17^th - Simchat Torah

18^th – National Chocolate Cup Cake Day (US)

20^th – National Office Chocolate Day (US)

25^th – World pasta day

26^th – National pumpkin day

27^th – National American Beer Day

28^th – National Chocolate Day (US)

29^th – National Cat Day (US)

30^th – Clocks go back tonight

31^st – Halloween

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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