Main Image: Frangipani

PRShots Roundup brings you the latest retail news from DFS, Superdrug, N Brown, Primark, The Range and John Lewis. Plus, 12 retailers on store expansion sprees in 2025, the new transformational business models in the fashion industry and more.  

THE LATEST RETAIL INDUSTRY NEWS

DFS sees ‘improved performance’

DFS pre-tax profit for the half to 29 Dec shows a pre-tax profit of approximately £16–17m, representing a year-on-year increase of £7–8m.

Retail sales drop unexpectedly in December

Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures show retail sales fell unexpectedly in the run-up to Christmas, slipping 0.3% in December. It follows a 0.1% increase in November.

John Lewis launches new in-store flooring concession

John Lewis is partnering with Tapi to replace the failed The Floor Room flooring concessions. Tapi will launch in 17 John Lewis branches next month and the rollout will be completed by the summer.

Superdrug has seen its ‘best Christmas ever’

Superdrug has recorded its “best Christmas ever”, with like-for-like sales up by 5.1% in the six weeks to Jan 4, compared to the same period last year.

Clothing sales rise in December

Clothing sales jumped by 4.4% in December, the latest data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) shows.

Customer satisfaction failures cost £7.3bn monthly

The UK Customer Satisfaction Index (UKCSI) reveals service failures are costing UK businesses £7.3bn per month, with employees spending an average of four days per month resolving issues.

TRENDS, SUSTAINABILITY, STRATEGY AND TECHNOLOGY

12 retailers on store expansion sprees in 2025

The UK’s retail scene is set to welcome a host of new stores this year, including Ikea’s long-awaited Oxford Street flagship. Retail Gazette takes a look at the retailers opening stores in 2025.

The new transformational business models in the fashion industry

Fashion brands are on a path of diversification to maintain growth with the big industry trend is a move into homeware and into beauty.

How to future-proof your marketing

Learn 2025’s key metrics, trends, and strategies to future-proof your business and boost performance by up to 50%

Why you need Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs)

Find out who KOLs are and how they can help your marketing efforts and follow Hootsuites tips to find the best key opinion leaders for your brand.

PEOPLE, MOVERS AND SHAKERS

N Brown has named Dene Jones as new group retail CEO

N Brown, which owns the likes of JD Williams, Simply Be and Jacamo, has named Dene Jones as its new group retail chief executive.

BRAND NEWS

Primark prepares to open first-ever standalone homewares store

Primark’s first standalone homewares store will open in Belfast city centre this March. The store will launch in response to the growth in homewares which has expanded significantly since 2021.

Next batch of Homebase stores to reopen as The Range by end of January

CDS Superstores is set to relaunch three former Homebase stores as The Range by the end of January and plans to roll out up to 10 new superstores each month throughout 2025.

Aldi to open nine London stores this year

Aldi is set to open nine new stores in the capital this year as part of a £55m investment within the M25. 

Gymshark opens first permanent store outside of the UK

Gymshark has opened its much anticipated new 4,300 sq ft store at The Dubai Mall in the UAE, following a successful pop-up at the destination.

AND FINALLY

World’s largest Birkin bag to debut at Art Palm Beach

The world’s largest Birkin bag, which is 19ft tall, is set to make its public debut at Art Palm Beach from January 22 to 26 at the Palm Beach County Convention Centre.

PRSHOTS TOP 10 SEARCHES

What were our users searching for on PRShots Week ending January 10^th 2025?

1/ SS25

2/ Valentine

3/ Leopard

4/ Cushion

5/ Kitchen

6/ Bag

7/ Cardigan

8/ Home

9/ Rug  

10/ Mirror

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 24 hours, week, or month.

BRANDS WITH NEW IMAGES

Clothing, beauty and accessories

Dune London has new bridal shoe ranges for casual to posh weddings, and new shoes, bags and accessories for early 2025.

Peacocks has new Louise Redknapp SS25 range and SS25 clothing, jumpers and fashions, a new Caprice SS25 lingerie range just in time for Valentine’s Day and a Michael Owen SS25 Edit.

Primark has new Hello Kitty kids clothing and accessories, swimwear for the beach, a new Youth range, new bags, lingerie and nightwear for Valentines, new SS25 dresses and skirts, Performance 2025 ranges of athleisure clothes, shoes and bags.

River Island has new lingerie for Valentine’s Day, plus Black, Brown, Blue Stripe and Butter Yellow themed ranges, a new Jo Horner collaboration, “New Year New Look” ranges, Pantone Mocha Mousse looks for spring.

Monsoon has new Jan-Feb campaigns and bridal wear plus SS25 womenswear ranges including holiday and beachwear, plus new wedding outfit shoes and dresses.

Matalan has new NFL clothing ranges, Valentine pyjamas, athleisure wear, a new transitional style edit, a menswear collaboration with Taylor & Wright, transitional ranges and a menopause lingerie range.

M&S has a new Valentine’s Day lingerie, a Goodmove collection of outdoor sports and athleisure wear modelled by Olympian Alex Scott.

Barbour has Lunar New Year clothing ranges, plus accessories for your pets, new ranges of clothing, boots and accessories for SS25 for men and women.

Fable England has new SS25 Running Bunny and Wonderland ranges of bags and scarves, plus new accessories and core jewellery ranges.

New Look has new SS25 clothing arriving in January and February and more new winter outfits, winter and occasion wear outfits for women, plus ranges of womenswear including coats, jumpers, skirts and tops.

Very has a new Michelle Keegan collaboration, new athleisure wear and V by very ranges of clothes, partywear and footwear, including metallics, sequins and faux fur.

Fatface has new SS25 jewellery, accessories and clothes for men and women.

Roman Originals has new SS25 Petite imagery, more AW24 imagery for Petite, Curve and Dusk ranges of womenswear for day wear and for big events.

Regatta has new jackets and fleeces for the outdoors and ranges of trainers, walking boots, wellies and sandals, plus kids swimming costumes and wetsuits.

Bonmarché has new SS25 outdoor clothing ranges and swimsuits, Valentines outfits, new Dash SS25 clothing ranges, jumpers and partywear and lingerie ranges.

TK Maxx has new Valentine’s themed clothing and jewellery, plus new clothing, shoes, boots, jewellery, makeup and accessories for SS25.

F&F has a new Kate Ferdinand F&F Active collaboration of athleisure wear for January, new SS25 ranges of women's clothing and accessories.

George at Asda has new Gym Locker activewear ranges, plus lingerie and nightwear ranges for Valentine’s Day.

Tu Clothing has new womenswear ranges of clothes, shoes and accessories.

Sims Wear has new menswear ranges for SS25.

Frangipani has new menswear and jewellery.

Saywood has new womenswear, accessories and soft furnishings.

Dune London Mens has new shoes and trainers for early 2025.

Joe Browns has new SS25 clothing for men and women plus shoes, boots, jewellery and accessories including purses, bags and shopping baskets.

Celtic &Co has new clothing, sandals, shoes, scarves, and accessories for SS25.

Curvy Kate has new Swerve, Suspend, Suspense, Serpent, Opulence, Indulgence, Eos, Entwined, Zen, Victory, Wild One, Strawberry Crush, Ornate and more ranges of lingerie. Plus new ranges of swimwear for SS25.

Scamp & Dude has new leopard print dresses for AW24.

John Lewis has new Anyday and And/Or SS25 clothing, shoes and accessories for women and men, a Dream Dress Edit featuring Whistles, Sister Jane, Reiss, Phase Eight and more clothing ranges for women.

Lipsy has new womenswear images for the new season.

Oliver Bonas has new February, March and April 2025 uploads of jewellery, women’s clothing, bags, shoes and accessories as well as new ranges for SS25.

Lola Starr has new sustainable activewear for the January and February bounce back.

See additional new clothing and accessories images from

Sainsbury’s Beauty National Trust Cotton Traders

Home, garden and food

M&S has new SS25 Boho, Classic and Exquisite Earth furniture and homeware ranges, new gifts – including a Valentine Percy Pig - and decorations for Valentine’s Day, new furniture, soft furnishings and kitchenware for SS25.

John Lewis has new Modern and Classic homeware collections of furniture, soft furnishings and accessories for SS25.

The Gluttonous Gardener has new flower ranges for the spring and summer.

Hobbycraft has Valentine’s Day and Easter decoration and food ideas. 

Jan Constantine has more Valentine’s Day-appropriate cushions.

Cutter & Squidge has new hampers and food and drink for the Lunar New Year and for Valentine’s Day.

George Home has new Lucky Charm range and Dark Garden SS25 interiors ranges, Stacey Solomon collaborations on cookware, bedding, dining, and homeware.

Home Bargains has new things for the garden, new home exercise accessories, Mediterranean and Travellers Bazaar ranges, homeware from SS25 for the bedroom, bathroom and living rooms plus candles, diffusers, glasses and soft furnishings.

TK Maxx has new gifts for Valentine’s Day, homeware, and a new 1960s-inspired summer range of kitchenware and furniture for the office, plus new gifting ranges, a wellness range for the New Year.

Primark has new gifts, soft furnishings, furniture and homeware for SS25.

Nest has some new ranges for the outdoors.

Dobbies Garden Centres has new houseplant appreciation day images, Valentine’s presents, outdoor furniture, barbecues, accessories, kids' swimming pools and pots for SS25, Mother’s Day 2025 gifts.

Matalan has new Easter decorations and home ranges, Valentine’s gifts, SS25 homeware images for the dining room, bedroom, bathroom and garden, new Connie the Cockapoo range.

Treats by Mars has new Snickers and Galaxy ranges. 

B&M has new Rustic Charm homeware ranges for SS25, including cushions, mirrors, vases and incense burners.

Ivyline has new plant pots, fountains and storage for the garden.

Cult Furniture has new ranges for SS25.

Online Home Shop has new storage solutions, side tables and chest of drawers, rugs, bedding, foot warmers, hot water bottles, heated pads, body wraps, plus bar stools, mirrors, cuddle cushions, shaped pillows and bolsters.

Homesense has a new Outdoor Taste of the Med and Summer in the Souk ranges of furniture, homeware and kitchenware, plus indoors furniture and homeware for SS25.

National Trust has new garden furniture ranges for SS25,  gifts for the home and the garden for SS25, plus decorations for Easter.

Quorn Stone has new Alnwick Ivory and Provenca Crema marble and tiles for the kitchen, natural stone and tumbled herringbone cobbles outdoor ranges, marble ranges for the bathroom and kitchen and Limestone cobbles for outside.

Habitat has new SS25 homeware and furniture, plus new furniture for setting up your own home office. 

Dunelm has new colour drench ranges, a new Sophie Robinson collaboration and its SS25 range of bedroom and living room furniture, soft furnishings and kitchenware.

Oliver Bonas has new furniture and home accessories including mirrors, lighting and tableware for the New Year and SS25.

See additional new home images from

Sofology Fritz Fryer Designers Guild Fatface

DIARY

PRShots Retail Calendar Alerts

Days until Valentine’s Day – 28

Days until Mother’s Day - 72

Days until Easter - 93
 

How to get your brand in the media in January

January is all about fitness and health and getting back on track after a Christmas and New Year holiday break. So, clothes-wise it’s all about clothing for the gym and exercise, so make sure if you have anything relevant that it’s flagged up with keywords like fit, exercise and gym. 

The monthlies are also starting to prepare for Valentine’s Day next month, so get any relevant clothes, accessories and gifts uploaded and keyword them with valentine. They’re also looking forward to next season so make sure anything SS25 is flagged on your drops.

Plus, as we’re still mid-winter there will still be searches for anything cosy, so pyjamas, slippers, coats, hygge, winter warmers, knitwear, scarves and everything warm. 

January is also Veganuary (in 2024 over 1.8m people worldwide signed up for it! ) and it’s also Dry January so it’s a good idea to make sure you have vegan-friendly products and non-alcoholic products labelled on your media centre, plus anything that’s healthy that fits in with resetting your life. 

If you sell gin and anything gin-related then it’s also Ginuary!  It’s also Walk Your Dog Month, so anything dog-related would be good.

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.

If you’re looking for more hooks to help promote your brand and products, then see the list of days, weeks and fortnights below.

January Diary - Weeks/Months

Cervical Cancer Prevention Week (20th Jan – 26th Jan)

The Furniture Show NEC Birmingham (19th Jan – 22nd Jan)

Diary - Days

17th - Ditch Your Resolution Day #DitchYourResolutionDay

20th - Have a Brew and Chat Monday/Blue Monday

20th – Health Food Searches Peak

20th – Martin Luther King Day (US)

21st – National Hugging Day (US)

25th – Burns Night

25th - Dydd Santes Dwynwen (St Dwynwen's Day)

26th – Australia Day

26th – Indian Republic Day

27th – Chocolate Cake Day (US)

27th – Holocaust Memorial Day (US)

28th – Data Privacy Day

29th – Lunar New Year / Chinese New Year (The year of the Snake)

29th – Valentine’s Day searches rise

31st – Tax return payments are due today

NB - All dates have been checked, but some events may change due to unforeseen circumstances or have not been fully confirmed for 2025 by the authorities controlling the event(s).