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PRShots Digest brings you the latest retail news from Aesop, Majestic, Tropic Skincare, Revlon, Clark’s, Moss, DR Martens, Victoria Plum and H&M. Plus articles on the future of the department store, why you shouldn’t fall for the AI hype, a guide to conversational marketing and more.

THE LATEST RETAIL INDUSTRY NEWS

Natura to focus on The Body Shop as it sells Aesop

Cosmetics giant Natura &Co is to focus on building The Body Shop after selling luxury brand Aesop to L’Oréal for $2.5bn.

UK manufacturing slips further but supply chain improves

The UK’s manufacturing sector contracted further in March as companies scaled back production amid "subdued market conditions."

Majestic opens small store concept as it ‘accelerates bricks and mortar investment’

Majestic has opened a new small store concept, half the size of the average Majestic shop, and plans to open a further eight new shops during the next 12 months.

Investment firm eyes Planet Organic rescue deal

Planet Organic is being eyed by investment firm Redbus Ventures, set up by Lovefilm co-founder Simon Franks, which is understood to be plotting a rescue bid for the health food business.

Lord Sugar sells stake in Tropic Skincare to founder

​Alan Sugar has sold his 50% stake in skincare brand Tropic Skincare, to its founder Susie Ma, a competitor in his BBC One television business talent show The Apprentice, in 2011.

Revlon cleared to exit bankruptcy with $2.7bn on debt reduction deal

Revlon’s reorganisation plan has been approved allowing the cosmetics maker to cut $2.7bn from its debt and exit bankruptcy later this month.

H&M to open first beauty flagships in Oslo

H&M is set to open its first H&M Beauty flagship store in Oslo as it looks at the beauty market for its next growth market.

TRENDS, STRATEGY AND TECHNOLOGY

Rising costs prompt new return policies

The era of free returns, unlimited returns, and returnless refunds has been enormously expensive to most merchants.

Why you shouldn’t fall for the AI hype

It’s very easy to be convinced that this time with AI that tech really is the answer to all your woes. But don’t believe the hype.

The department store of the future

‘The Department Store Re-imagined’ report explores the history of department stores, the role they play today and how they are set to be a fundamental part of the future retail landscape.

What you need to know about conversational marketing

Learn how conversational marketing improves customer engagement, accelerates sales cycles and builds relationships with B2B buyers.

16 Facebook engagement post ideas for more likes and shares

Use these Facebook engagement posts to get more likes, comments, and shares organically without having to pay for ads.

PEOPLE, MOVERS AND SHAKERS

Clarks’ managing director for the UK, ROI & MEA steps down

Clarks’ managing director of the UK, Ireland, the Middle East and Africa Joe Ulloa has stepped down from his role.

BRAND NEWS

ebay launches first Sneaker Academy for young entrepreneurs

ebay is launching its first Sneaker Academy, a digital mentoring and networking programme which aims to provide young entrepreneurs with the skills to run an ecommerce business.

Moss brings ‘Custom Made’ suiting to Atria Watford

Menswear retailer Moss, formerly known as Moss Bros, has opened a new 2,271sq ft store on the upper mall at the Atria Watford shopping centre in the heart of Hertfordshire.

Dr Martens to start using recycled leather by early 2024

Dr Martens is set to begin using recycled leather at its Northampton factory for some of its boots and is one of a group of investors set to inject $18m into a reusable leather maker, Gen Phoenix.

Victoria’s Secret to open shop-in-shop in Teesside Park’s Next

Lingerie brand Victoria’s Secret will open a shop-in-shop within Next at retail and leisure park Teesside Park this week.

Victoria Plum launches independent living range

Online bathroom retailer Victoria Plum has extended its range of bathroom products to support customers with accessibility and mobility needs.

AND FINALLY

John Lewis wins court dispute over ‘Excitable Edgar’ the dragon Christmas ad

John Lewis has won a court case in which a children’s author claimed the retailer had stolen one of her designs for its Edgar the dragon Christmas advert.

Audemars Piguet to guarantee $55,000 watches against theft in industry first

Swiss luxury watch brand Audemars Piguet will offer to replace clients’ stolen watches as part of a new service program created in response to a surge in watch-related crime.

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

Barbour has new mens, womens and kids ranges

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

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 – 5

Days until Eid al-Fitr – 17

Days until The Coronation - 32

Days until Halloween – 210

Days until Singles Day - 221

Days until Black Friday – 234

Days until Christmas Day – 265

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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