Main Image: Lipsy

PRShots Digest brings you the latest retail news from Quiksilver, Billabong, Holland & Barrett, John Lewis, Seraphine, Represent, River Island, Noteworthy, and Gant. Plus articles on 8 Facebook trends you need to know, content marketing ideas for April/May, optimising your customer growth strategy and more.

THE LATEST RETAIL INDUSTRY NEWS

Authentic Brands Group to acquire Quiksilver and Billabong owner

Authentic Brands Group has made a binding offer to purchase sports and lifestyle group Boardriders owner of Quiksilver, Billabong, Roxy, DC Shoes brands.

Holland & Barrett becomes latest retailer to increase staff pay

Holland & Barrett has announced a 9% pay rise for store employees, increasing the hourly pay from £10.05 to £11, starting April 1.

British Corner Shop secures investment to fund its global growth strategy

British Corner Shop, the online grocery store serving British expats around the world, has secured investment from private investor, Rcaptial

John Lewis CEO: Partnership must reform business model “at pace”

John Lewis new boss Nish Kankiwala has told staff that the partnership must reform its business model “at pace.”

Seraphine buyout and delisting to take place in April

Seraphine is planning to delist from the London Stock Exchange this month after Purple Bidco, a subsidiary of Mayfair Equity Partners, reached an agreement to acquire 95% of shares in the brand.

83% of UK shoppers concerned by online payment security

UK consumers are concerned about their payment security when shopping online, highlighting the need for retailers to upgrade their systems.

CMA investigates Wowcher over misleading online ‘urgency’ claims

The Competition and Markets Authority will be launching an investigation examining whether Wowcher has misled consumers by using countdown timers and other urgency claims.

Amazon workers announce six new strike dates

Amazon workers are set to strike again as the ongoing battle for a pay rise to £15 an hour and better working conditions continues.

TRENDS, STRATEGY AND TECHNOLOGY

Why Metaverse Fashion Week 2023 was a luxury feast and a technical disaster

This year, over 60 brands, artists and designers took part in the event held between March 28-31 on Decentraland down from over 70 participants in 2022.

8 Facebook trends you need to know

Don't miss the Facebook trends that will transform your brand's social media strategy from Reels to AI ad targeting, and more.

5 content marketing ideas for May

This instalment of the Practical Ecommerce series includes content ideas addressing Mother's Day, recommendations, fitness, King Charles, and money-saving tips.

How generative AI will change sales

Sales work typically requires administrative work, routine interactions with clients, and management attention to tasks such as forecasting. AI can help do these tasks more quickly.

How Greggs balances tech with customer excellence

At Retail Week Live, Greggs’ IT and Digital Director Tony Taylor explored the highs and lows of the company’s digital transformation.

Getting started with AI and web3

Tom Holt argues that your first priority with web3 and AI technologies should be who you work with not what you do

How to optimise your customer growth strategy

To see a return on investment in customer experience (CX), brands must deliver a positive return on experience and here’s how to get it right.

PEOPLE, MOVERS AND SHAKERS

Boohoo announces board changes

Boohoo has appointed Alistair McGeorge as a non-executive director and replaces Brian Small as the group’s deputy chairman and will act as interim chair of the audit committee.

BRAND NEWS

Represent launches first women’s footwear collection

British streetwear brand Represent has launched its first-ever collection of footwear for women, following the success of launching styles in smaller sizes.

River Island reveals “biggest ever” reward campaign for Easter

River Island is giving a boost to footfall in its stores over Easter with a promotions offering 100,000 surprise treats to redeem in store and ‘Lucky Dip Vouchers’ with mystery gifts including £250 ‘Shopping Sprees’.

The Fragrance Shop to open first ‘experimental’ flagship on Oxford Street

The Fragrance Shop is set to open the doors to a new “experiential” store on London’s Oxford Street this summer, marking the perfume retailer’s first shop at the famous shopping strip.

Personalised fragrance company Noteworthy launches in North America, UK, Ireland

Noteworthy, a first-of-its-kind personalised fragrance company, has launched in the US, UK, and Ireland ushering in a new era for the fragrance industry.

Gant imposes minimum spend for independents

Sweden-based fashion brand Gant has told independent wholesale accounts that they have to order a minimum of £20,000 a year and buy all four collections.

AND FINALLY

The best (and worst) April Fools’ of 2023

April Fools’ Day gives brands an excellent opportunity to show another side of their personality. We round-up of the best (and worst) pranks of 2023.

How the costumes in ‘Air’ helped recreate Nike in 1984

Costume designer Charlese Antoinette Jones referenced Nike linesheets from the early '80s and scoured eBay to replicate the outfits worn by the film’s real-life characters.

PRSHOTS TOP 10 SEARCHES

What were our users searching for on PRShots Week ending March 31^st 2023?

1/ Coronation

2/ Easter

3/ Bathroom

4/ Garden

5/ SS23

6/ Jug

7/ Yellow

8/ Bag

9/ Rug  

10/ Stripe

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

Peacocks has new womenswear and teen ranges

Oliver Bonas has new women’s ranges

Radley has new images but check the dates before downloading

Lipsy has a new V&A Love & Roses collaboration for SS23

Primark has new athleisure wear, summer value ranges and Paula Echevarria and NFL Dolphins collaboration, beachwear and accessories, plus an EDIT range

Barbour has new mens, womens and kids ranges

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

Threadbare has new mens and womens ranges

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

PrettyLittleThing  has new maternity wear featuring Sophia Smith and a new Gemma Owen Occasion Edit

Bryony Bel has new jewellery ranges

Regatta has new Giovanna Fletcher and Orla Kiely collaboration ranges for the beach

Roman Originals has new spring and summer ranges in all sizes

Aspiga has new summer clothing

Dune London Men’s has new SS23 shoes and accessories ranges

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

Shoe Zone has new kids ranges

TK Maxx has new clothing, shoes, make up and accessories

River Island has a new Nine range as well as swimwear and accessories, spring/summer clothing

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

Matalan has new bags, hats and sandals

Fatface has new mens, womens and kids ranges

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

Monsoon Cotton Traders Radley The Morphbag by JSK Marks & Spencer NoLoGo  Dancing Leopard Crew Clothing Very Tu Clothing Teva Office

Home, garden and food

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

Biscuiteers Baking has new coronation goodies as well as Smiley 50th birthday ranges plus Easter and Father’s Day

Cuckooland has new outdoor furniture

Sofology has new furniture ranges

Cutter & Squidge has new Eid treats

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

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

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

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

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

Nologo has new tableware

B&M has new animal gifts

See additional new home images from the last weeks from

Cult Furniture Fritz Fryer Next Branch Jewellery GettingPersonal Nest Cartwright & Butler 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 – 6

Days until Eid al-Fitr – 18

Days until The Coronation - 33

Days until Halloween – 211

Days until Singles Day - 222

Days until Black Friday – 235

Days until Christmas Day – 266

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

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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