Back to PRShots News Main Image: Monsoon
PRShots Digest brings you the latest retail news from Freemans, Crew Clothing, Kangol, Ugg, Studio Retail, Ghost, Lounge and M&Co. Plus articles on where next for Amazon, 5 tips for social media success, the new EU rules on sustainability and more.
To see the latest news go to our Twitter account @prshotsr
THE LATEST RETAIL INDUSTRY NEWS
Mike Ashley making a £100m shopping centre investment
Mike Ashley is to invest up to £100m in shopping centres and is in advanced talks to purchase The Mall in Luton, Bedfordshire, and the Overgate centre in Dundee.
M&Co snapped up by Yours Clothing owner AK Retail Holdings
M&Co has been bought out of administration by the Peterborough-based business AK Retail Holdings, which owns Yours Clothing, Long Tall Sally, BadRhino and maternity brand Bump It Up.
Freemans boosted by “cracker of a Christmas”
Freemans reported a “cracker of a Christmas” with sales in the eight weeks to 31 Dec up by 23% after customer numbers exceeded a million up 65% on two years ago.
Amazon to shed UK warehouses as it halts growth plans
Amazon is to halt its growth plans in the UK and is looking to sublet the new UK warehouses that it currently has under construction.
Crew Clothing plans 40 new stores for market towns and coastal resorts
Crew Clothing is planning to open 40 new stores over the next three years to add to its current 101 stores, focusing its efforts on market towns and coastal resorts.
Bollman buys majority share of Kangol from Frasers Group
US brand Bollman Hat Company has entered into an agreement to acquire 51% of UK heritage/streetwear brand Kangol from Frasers Group for an undisclosed sum.
Deckers Brands sees 'stellar quarter' with revenues exceeding £1bn
Ugg owner Deckers Q3 results ending 31 Dec saw revenues rise 13.3% to £1.1bn with wholesale net sales up by 8% to £529.5m, whilst direct-to-consumer (DTC) sales were up 18.7%.
Trade bodies call on Government to fix restrictive Apprenticeship Levy system
The British Retail Consortium has teamed up with three other trade bodies to demand that the government fix what it describes as the broken Apprenticeship Levy system.
Preferred payment method crucial for positive online experience for shoppers
More than 49% of all online shoppers most likely to abandon the purchase if their preferred payment method is not available.
Time spent online falls to pre-pandemic levels, while social media use grows
Time spent on social platforms has increased to more than 2½ hours per day, 40 minutes more than time spent watching broadcast and cable TV.
TRENDS, STRATEGY AND TECHNOLOGY
Where next for Amazon as profits slump and sales stall?
While revenue growth continues and expectations continue to be exceeded, seemingly all is not well at Amazon. With jobs being slashed and profits falling, where next for retail’s biggest giant?
5 tips for social media success
Is less really more when it comes to social media strategy? This Drum piece says posting across channels won’t yield the results you’re expecting.
Are you ready for the EU’s new rules on sustainability
European Union and national governments in the EU are pushing for laws and regulations that promote sustainability in the textile industry.
The myths and reality of readability and SEO
A metric for the readability of an article is imprecise and often inaccurate. And there's no evidence that readability is a direct Google ranking factor.
Does AI tech like ChatGPT spell the end of the copywriter?
ChatGPT’s ability to create articulate content has stunned the world since its launch but can it potentially replace people in marketing roles such as copywriters?
Could AI take over the work of many PRs?
The buzz around ChatGPT may have people fearing that their work may be replaced by a (complex) piece of code, we know from the journey to today that developments take their time.
PEOPLE, MOVERS AND SHAKERS
Tesco boss Jason Tarry could replace Potts as Morrisons CEO
According to City sources, Tesco managing director Jason Tarry identified himself as a possible replacement for Morrisons boss David Potts
Paul Kendrick, chief executive of Studio Retail Group, the online fashion retailer bought out of administration by Frasers Group in February 2022, has stepped down from his post.
BRAND NEWS
Ghost launches archive collection and extends sizes
Womenswear brand Ghost London has launched an archive collection to celebrate nearly 40 years of designs.
Online underwear retailer Lounge to open pop-up shop in Manchester
UK-owned online lingerie brand Lounge is opening its first-ever Manchester-based retail pop-up space in February.
AND FINALLY x2
Asda creates in-store signage from recycled nappies
Asda has produced the UK’s first in-store signage using recycled nappies in a bid to help tackle the issue of plastic waste.
Loewe has introduced the perfect way to disguise tennis players with large feet, training shoes that blend in with the court.
PRSHOTS TOP 10 SEARCHES
What were our users searching for on PRShots Week ending February 3rd 2023?
1/ Valentine
2/ Easter
3/ Cushion
4/ Bathroom
5/ Mirror
6/ Blue
7/ Kitchen
8/ Pink
9/ Green
10/ Bedroom
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
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.
LolaStarr is a proud British activewear brand whose clothes are designed with the environment and functionality in mind and champions local textile industries using a talented UK team of skilled designers, pattern cutters, and seamstresses.
Hobbycraft was founded in 1995, and has since grown to be the largest arts and crafts retailer in the UK with over 100 stores across the UK, and has everything you need for art, knitting and crochet, haberdashery, papercraft, wedding and party, baking, jewellery making and more.
Silk & Lawn are a Brighton-based accessories brand creating beautiful handmade headbands, hair ties & turbans for little and grown-up people made from silk and Tana lawn cottons.
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
Bryony Bel has new jewellery ranges
Dune London has new Valentine’s ideas, SS23 shoe and bag ranges and accessories
Monsoon has a new range of eco fabric Lenzing clothes
New Look has new swimwear and summer clothing drops
Threadbare has new SS23 clothing ranges for him and her
Matalan launches the Papaya range of clothes as well as new shoes and bags
Very has new kids tops, womenswear, jewellery, and Valentine’s fashions
Primark has new bridal, Denim ranges, Varsity ranges, women’s ranges, Valentine’s outfits, new Disney 100 ranges and baby outfits
Barbour has new womenswear ranges and accessories for pets
PrettyLittleThing has a new skiing ranges, Gemma Owen collabs and a new Renew range featuring Molly Mae and Valentine’s Day lingerie and going out wear
Joe Browns has new women’s and men’s ranges
Roman Originals has new spring and summer ranges
Aspiga has new womenswear
Oliver Bonas has new drops for March including clothes, jewellery, bags and accessories.
From my mother’s garden has new ranges for 2023
Cath Kidston has new womenswear and accessory ranges
TK Maxx has new SS23 fashion and accessory ranges
Dune London Men’s has new SS23 footwear
Fatface has new clothing ranges and accessories for kids and adults
River Island has new Valentine’s outfits Active ranges and SS23 winter clothes for Jan-Feb drops
Freemans has new womenswear
Night Store has new pyjamas and maternity wear
See additional new clothing and accessories images from the last few weeks at
Peacocks John Lewis Tu Clothing Radley F&F Marks & Spencer Bonmarché Deichmann UK NoLoGo Cath Kidston George at Asda Accessorize Dancing Leopard Sarvin Lipsy M&Co Cotton Traders
Home and food
Dobbies Garden Centres has new edible planting, patio furniture, house plants, chimeneas, pizza ovens, firepits.
The Range has kitchen and home ware to keep you organised in 2023
Next launches a new Medley collection
Furniture Village has new sofa ranges
Fatface has new Easter decorations for the home
George Home has new homeware, Valentines gifts and gifts for your pet
Homesense has new SS23 home items and gifts for Easter, Mother’s day and Valentines day
Daisy Park has new kitchenware
Very unveils its new Everyday Homes collection and has Valentines gifts
Primark Home has new storage solutions for the home
Oliver Bonas has new gifts for the home
Cath Kidston has new homeware
Cardfactory has more valentines’ gifts for him and her
TK Maxx has new things for you and your home for SS23
Cartwright & Butler has new Mother’s Day and Valentines hampers and gifts
Hotel Chocolat has new chocolates for Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day and pictures of the Chocmobile
Cuckooland has new home gifts and new SS23 home goods
Cutter & Squidge has Valentine’s day hampers and goodies
National Trust Shop has new gifts and things for the garden
Paperchase has new gifts
B&M has their new Urban Eden and Superbloom collections for summer outdoors and Easter collections
Nest has new lighting
Biscuiteers Baking has new Easter goodies
Sofology has new sofa and footstool ranges as well as things for the home
John Lewis has new solutions for the whole house from living rooms to bedrooms
Marks & Spencer has gifts for valentines and homeware
See additional new home images from the last few weeks from
Cambridge Imprint Designers Guild Cult Furniture Matalan Fritz Fryer NoLoGo Dunelm Avalana Dune London Luxdeco Designers Guild White Stuff Monsoon Wilko KMI Brands DFS Fatface Very Habitat Christy Matalan Oliver Bonas
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 Valentine’s Day - 8
Days until Mother’s Day – 41
Days until Easter – 62
Days until Eid al-Fitr – 74
Days until Halloween – 267
Days until Singles Day - 278
Days until Black Friday – 291
Days until Christmas Day – 322
How to get your brand on the February Editorial Calendars
Aside from continuing to keep an eye on those SS23 drops the first half of the month is about preparing for Valentine’s day issues and the second half is about getting ready for Easter. For Valentine’s day make sure everything has some of the keywords the media will be looking for eg gifts, pink, red, lingerie etc. For Easter make sure everything has some of the keywords the media will be looking for eg eggs, chocolate, easter bunny, easter egg, chick etc.
As we’re coming out of winter it’s time to start putting up images for the spring and summer. So anything related to getting out of the house is good, so get uploading images and adding keywords relating to summer outfits, swimwear, the garden, garden parties and Barbecues (don’t forget to add all of the other spellings BBQ, Bar-B-Que etc).
February Diary - Weeks/Months
In the UK it’s LGBT+ history month and in the US this is Black History Month. It’s a great month for food, we have Pancake Day, national Pizza Day and Bread Week (18th-26th)
Other events include;
Just Around the Corner Exhibition London (8th-9th)
Source show Olympia (12th – 14th)
London Fashion Week (17th – 21st)
New York Fashion Week (9th-15th Feb)
Fairtrade Fortnight Feb 27th – Mar 12th)
February is also National Bird Feeding Month in the US
National Apprenticeship week 6th - 12Th Feb
February - Days
6th – National Sickie Day
9th – National Pizza Day (US)
11th – Brit Awards
12th – NFL Super Bowl
12th – Source Fashion Event Olympia
14th – Valentine’s Day
15th – Singles Awareness Day
17th - Random Acts of Kindness Day (US)
18th – Maha Shivaratri
21st – Shrove Tuesday / Pancake Day
26th - National Wear Red Day (Support for Heart disease)
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!!!
Bookmark our PRShots news section https://www.prshots.com/pressnews and keep up to date with the PRShots daily guide to some of the latest news and trends in the retail, home and marketing sectors.
Related articles
