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PRShots Digest brings you the latest retail news from Kering, Valentino, Hermes, Prada, Emma Bridgewater, Crocs, JD Sports, Lounge, Phase Eight, Mountain Warehouse, Animal and B&M. Plus articles on how to improve your marketing funnel, what to expect from the Christmas 2023 TV adverts, Why Frasers are better than Amazon and more.
THE LATEST RETAIL INDUSTRY NEWS
Vacancies rise as 6,000 UK stores close in five years
The number of vacant stores rose in the second quarter of 2023 as 6,000 UK retail outlets closed over five years, according to figures from the British Retail Consortium’s LDC Vacancy Monitor.
UK retail sales slide at fastest pace in more than a year
The Confederation of British Industry’s monthly balance of retail sales, fell to -25 in July from -9 in June and expectations for August fell to -32 from zero, the weakest reading since March 2021.
Kering takes 30% stake in Valentino
Luxury retailer parent Kering has taken 30% shareholding in Italian house Valentino in a €1.7bn deal that gives it the option to take 100% control.
Crocs reports record quarterly revenues of over $1bn
Crocs saw record Q2 revenues with sales up 11.2% to $1.072bn with profits up 28.4% to $318.5m on the back of Croc sales up 12.2% in the US, 33.2% in Asia. Sales fell 0.2% in EMEA and Latin America.
Hermes defies luxury slowdown with strong sales
Sales at Birkin bag maker Hermes grew 27.5% to €3.32bn in the quarter to the end of June, with double-digit growth in all regions.
B&M secures long-term commitment from Bobby Arora until 2026
B&M has made an agreement with group trading director Bobby Arora to keep him committed to the retailer until at least March 2026 with potential bonuses amounting to £16m over the period.
Prada sales grew 20% to €2.2bn for H1 with operating profit up 49% to €491m - beating analysts expected €457m -with every region seeing growth except the Americas, where sales fell 1%.
Frasers Group sees more profit growth this year
Frasers Group expects profit to rise between 5-15% this year as its biggest brand, Sports Direct, benefits from a partnership with Nike and shoppers keep spending despite economic headwinds.
Hammerson swings to loss despite increase in footfall and sales
Retail landlord Hammerson’s revenues grew to £69.1m from £63.7m in the half to 30 Jun but reported a loss of £1.2m down from £50.3m last year.
Sales at Ermenegildo Zegna jump 37.4% in Q2
Italian fashion group Ermenegildo Zegna revenues were up 37.4% in Q2 to €475m thanks mainly to a rebound in the China Greater Region and a strong performance in the EMEA region.
Government waters down proposed new duty to prevent sexual harassment
The Worker Protection (Amendment of Equality Act 2010) Bill is a significant legislation that holds relevance for the retail sector, which employs around 3m people in the UK.
Redundancies loom at Emma Bridgewater
Pottery maker Emma Bridgewater has placed 65 of its workers at risk of redundancy as it seeks to reduce staff numbers in its factories, Bicester store, customer services, and its London office
TRENDS, STRATEGY AND TECHNOLOGY
StockX on creating a global retail platform
StockX CEO Scott Cutler shares how he took the business from a startup in 2015 to a global platform, with $400m+ turnover, 1,500 employees and 13 certification sites worldwide.
What does THG see in old media
THG has snapped up business newspaper City AM, saving it from insolvency in an eleventh-hour deal. How does the paper fit in with the rest of THG’s business? Retail Week finds out.
How to improve your marketing funnel
The days of the basic marketing funnel are over. Adding an overlay of empathy lets you walk with your prospects on their never-quite-linear journey and builds real, long-term relationships.
Who will be the top retailer 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.
What to expect from the 2023 Christmas adverts
The all-important festive advert can turn a Christmas campaign into a viral blockbuster campaign - Retail Week talks to the experts to find out what it takes to get it right.
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 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?
Frasers boss says Amazon can’t do what Frasers can
As Frasers reported strong growth in profits and revenue driven by a “particularly strong year for sports retail”, chief executive Michael Murray said even Amazon cannot do what Frasers can.
BRAND NEWS
JD Sports to open showcase on Paris’s Champs-Elysées
JD Sports is planning to open a flagship store on Paris’s renowned Champs-Elysées in a premises formerly occupied by Mercedes, the store is set to open in March 2024 in time for the Olympics.
Greggs to launch cafés in Sainsbury’s stores
Greggs has unveiled plans to open standalone cafés inside ‘half a dozen’ Sainsbury’s stores before the end of the year.
Lounge to launch first permanent physical store
Lingerie brand Lounge is to enter bricks-and-mortar retail with the opening a permanent store at Westfield White City following the success of pop-ups in London, Manchester and Birmingham.
Phase Eight unveils new concept store at Centre:mk
Womenswear brand Phase Eight has opened a new flagship concept store at Centre:mk in Milton Keynes.
Jean Paul Gaultier and KNWLS to Collaborate on Collection
Puig-owned Jean Paul Gaultier is collaborating with London-based womenswear brand KNWLS on a collection of over 40 tops, jackets, trousers and dresses, set to debut on Sep 8.
Mountain Warehouse and Animal join forces for dual-front store
Mountain Warehouse is to introduce fashion retailer Animal to its offering and relocate to an upsized 7,000 sq ft outlet store at Gloucester Quays.
AND FINALLY
From Singhsbury’s to PK Max – the copycat retailers taking inspiration from big chains
Retail Gazette takes a look at the copycat retailers with strangely familiar names - including some that have sailed too close to the wind.
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
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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
Regatta has new kids AW23 and back to school jackets - including the Beamz insulated jacket – bags, torches and new womenswear winter ranges.
Dune London has new shoes and bags for going out, and new ankle and cowboy boots, sandals, trainers, shoes and luggage.
Very has new V by Very womenswear ranges for the home, the beach and for going out and the plus womenswear from the Everyday range
New Look has further July drops of womenswear, footwear, bags and jewellery.
Barbour has new dresses, coats, bags, gloves and scarves plus gift ranges for Christmas and new menswear, and womenswear for AW23, and bags, scarves and back-to-school ranges.
Bonmarché has new Autonomy womenswear ranges for AW23.
Primark has a new Click and Collect Exclusives, Flexi Formal range plus the Edit AW23 range, monogram bag ranges, back-to-school ranges, and a Barbie movie range.
Monsoon has new back-to-school kids clothing ranges and womenswear, including bags, scarves, dresses, kaftans, jackets and jumpers, accessories and jewellery.
Cardfactory has back to school backpacks
Deichmann UK has new winter shoes and boots as well as evening wear and a Barbie collaboration of shoes and bags.
Threadbare has more summer clothing with a RHS collaboration, cool womenswear and menswear in its Urban Renaissance and Luxe ranges.
George at Asda has new George clothing, bags, boots and accessories.
Oliver Bonas has jewellery boxes, clothing, accessories, footwear and jewellery 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 F&F Silk & Lawn
Home, garden and food
B&M has vases plus new ranges for the bathroom and bedroom plus Halloween, Christmas decorations and homeware.
Cult Furniture has new home ranges and dining and office chairs, cushions, and new furniture and lamps.
Dobbies Garden Centres has new Christmas wreaths, and Christmas gifts and decorations, plus house plant and outdoor living collections.
Primark Home has click and collect exclusives, new AW23 home ranges for kids and adults bedrooms, as well as the kitchen and dining room.
Dunelm has new sewing ranges, Disney, Harry Potter and Winnie the Pooh home and gift ranges, pet ranges, furniture ranges, collaborations with Star Wars and the Natural History Museum and Christmas decorations for the dining room, living room and the tree.
The Range has new Halloween decorations and gift collections.
Very has Christmas decorations.
National Trust shop has new Christmas gifts, decorations and cards plus National Trust Vango camping ranges and things for the garden and home.
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.
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
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 - 95
Days until Singles Day – 106
Days until Black Friday – 119
Days until Christmas Day - 150
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
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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