Main Image: Boux Avenue

PRShots Roundup brings you the latest retail news from Poundland, Freemans, The Works, Shoe Zone, Revolution Beauty, Comet, Harvey Nichols, Tala, Primark and John Lewis. Plus, M&S’s Stuart Machin on the lessons to be learned from its cyber attack, 5 ways marketers are actually using AI to get more done and more.  

THE LATEST RETAIL INDUSTRY NEWS

Poundland slashes profit guidance

Poundland owner Pepco Group has cut its profit guidance to delivering an EBITDA of between €0-20m, from the previous guidance of €50-70m.

Freemans and Bonprix owner Otto sees turnaround

Otto Group which owns Freemans and BonPrix sales for FY ending 28 Feb remained stable at just under €15bn but Earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) were up to €276m from €8 m in 2023/24.

Tough retail climate’ sees Very revenue decline

Very UK saw revenue fall 2.5% in the 39 weeks to March 29, 2025, despite a strong increase in sales for its home category.

Flurry of UK trade deals improves consumer confidence

The UK’s recent flurry of trade deals and agreements with India, the US and the EU has upped customer confidence.

The Works upgrades profit outlook

The Works said it expects to deliver an adjusted EBITDA of £9.5m for the year to 4 May, beating its previous forecast of £8.5m, as the business makes progress against its turnaround plan.

​Urban Outfitters reports record-breaking profits

Urban Outfitters announced a record-breaking profit of $108.3m for Q1, thanks to a 10.7% increase in sales to $1.33bn.

Online marketplace OnBuy acquires Comet

Online marketplace OnBuy has acquired the Comet brand in a bid to “disrupt the UK consumer electronics market” and will relaunch its website in Q4.

Revolution Beauty enters formal sales process following initial takeover approach

Revolution Beauty has started a formal sales process after it received a preliminary takeover approach from an unnamed company.

Shoe Zone half-year results hit by weak consumer confidence

Shoe Zone H1 to 29 Mar fell 6.5% to £71.5m, and last year’s H1 £2.5m profit turned into a £2.6m loss, which was in line with management expectations.

Pepco to sell off Poundland business by September

Pepco has said that the company is “actively exploring” a Poundland sales, and expects an exit for the business before the end of the 2025 financial year, which falls in September.

Harvey Nichols puts jobs at risk in move to prioritise fashion and beauty

Harvey Nichols has put jobs at risk as it considers dropping its own food products and hampers in a strategic shake-up designed to sharpen its focus on fashion, beauty, and hospitality.

GPE lifts London rental forecasts after strong leasing year

GPE (formerly Great Portland Estates) for its year ended 31 Mar said it expects estimated rental value (ERV) across its portfolio to rise by 4-7% over the current year.

Hammerson’s enjoying “an excellent start to the year”

Group like-for-like sales for retail property company Hammerson were up 1% for Q1, after a strong performance in March (up +2%), and expects more as Easter falls in “Q2 yet to come”.

TRENDS, SUSTAINABILITY, STRATEGY AND TECHNOLOGY

Marks & Spencer boss Machin on cyber attack experience, lessons and action

M&S hit turbulence after being targeted by cyber-criminals. Chief executive Stuart Machin explains what happened and how he aims to turn disruption to opportunity.

5 ways marketers are actually using AI to get more done

Martech looks at AI is being used to make everyday marketing tasks smarter, faster, and more strategic.

The ultimate guide to Twitter analytics for marketers

Twitter analytics is a powerful tool for any social media marketer. Make sure you go beyond the basics to get an edge on your competitors.

Shopify launches AI tool that builds complete online stores from keywords

Shopify has rolled out a generative artificial intelligence feature that will allow merchants on its e-commerce platform to set up their online stores simply by entering descriptive keywords.

US fashion recycling startup to build $500m plant in France

US clean-tech startup Circ plans to build what it says is the world’s first industrial-scale plant dedicated to recycling post-consumer and post-industrial polycotton textiles.

Google launches a try on feature and price alert

Google is expanding its Shopping AI functions. Users will soon be able to virtually try on clothing using their own photo with “Try On Me” and track price changes of products.

BRAND NEWS

Frasers Group reveals details of loyalty schemes rollout

Chief customer officer David Clark revealed details of Frasers Group's plans to roll out loyalty schemes for its Flannels and Frasers brands within the next 12 months.

Primark completes UK click-and-collect rollout

Primark has added a further 29 stores to its click and collect service which is now live in all 187 stores across Great Britain.

Korean beauty retailer Pure Seoul to open London flagship

Korean beauty retailer Pure Seoul is opening its London flagship store, its ninth opening in the UK.

Tala opens the doors to its new Carnaby St flagship store this weekend

Athleisure brand TALA now confirms its first bricks-and-mortar flagship store will open on 3-4 Carnaby Street this Saturday, 24th May 2025.

Which? reveals John Lewis as its Retailer of the Year

Which? has announced John Lewis as the winner of its 2025 Which? Awards in recognition of its dedication to providing outstanding products and services for consumers.

Gymshark introduces loyalty scheme

Gymshark has introduced its first loyalty scheme which will reward consumers with access to events, discounts and vouchers.

Boots unveils new skincare training for pharmacists

Boots has rolled out dermatology training for its pharmacists and pharmacy team members in over 150 stores nationwide, with plans to expand to additional locations in the coming months.

Pottery Barn to expand to the UK

US home and lifestyle retailer Pottery Barn has announced its impending launch in the UK this Autumn starting with an online launch.

AND FINALLY x2

OpenAI to launch physical products via $6.5bn deal with Jony Ive

Sam Altman said OpenAI is set to acquire the former Apple chief design officer's year-old AI devices start-up LoveFrom for $6.5bn even though it’s never produced a single product.

WeightWatchers scraps business model to team up with anti-obesity drugs provider

WeightWatchers is teaming up with weight-loss drugs such as Wegovy and Mounjaro, in a seismic shift for the brand away from a focus on dieting as it tries to turn around its struggling business.

JOIN THE GREEN GRADS

Green Grads are looking for new recruits and sponsors

Green Grads is a platform for recent UK graduates with ideas to heal the planet and it’s now recruiting for its fifth cohort, with over 200 current grads listed on the website. It’s also a great chance for a brand to show commitment to the environment and sustainability by joining Green Grads expanding cooperative of outward-looking forward-facing stellar British brands by becoming a sponsor. Sponsorship opportunities start with the comparatively modest sum of £500 and current sponsors include such well-known names as Heal's, Anglepoise, Ercol, the Futon Company, Camira and many more. To find out more see http://www.greengrads.co.uk

PRSHOTS TOP 10 SEARCHES

What were our users searching for on PRShots Week ending May 16^th 2025?

1/ SS25

2/ Garden

3/ Embroidered

4/ Yellow

5/ Bag

6/ Summer

7/ Bikini

8/ Sandals

9/ Dress  

10/ Swimsuit

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.

NEW BRANDS TO PRSHOTS

The Orchard specialises in everything for the home and the garden, from sofas and chairs to soft furnishings and kitchenware through to barbecues and firepits.

Boux Avenue is a UK lingerie, nightwear and swimwear brand. Their clothes are designed in London to be flattering, flirty and feminine, from signature lace and exclusive embroideries in bridal outfits, to the stylish and comfortable lounge and swimwear.  

Sketched by Siena is a unique card design company founded in 2020 by Siena, a graphic design graduate from Ravensbourne University who creates the cards by hand with the help of her sister Ellie.

Cave Cove was born from the rhythm of the tides and the wonder of the wild. Founded by three women, the brand is at its heart a female-led business created for the benefit of the many, not the few. Every embroidered detail, every flowing pattern, and every delicate texture on its clothing ranges is a reminder to embrace the elements and live with gentle joy.

Ruggable all started at the kitchen table. That's where Jeneva Bell first conceived of a rug you could put in your washing machine. After years of development, they launched the original Ruggable machine-washable rug and the brand has gone on to be hugely successful ever since.

BRANDS WITH NEW IMAGES

Clothing, beauty and accessories

Roman Originals has new outfits with this summer’s must-haves, crochet and embroidery/broderie anglaise, including big-pattern midi-length summer dresses, Bardot tops, denim, trousers and cropped pants, plus Petite, Dusk and Curve ranges for the summer.

Fable England has Forget Me Not jewellery, bag charms and jewellery based on the Beatrix Potter Peter Rabbit characters, new Alice’s Garden, Running Bunny and Bunny Blues jewellery and bags, Wonderland ranges of bags and scarves.

Sims Wear has new menswear cut-outs and campaign images.

Threadbare has a new menswear, Spring Romance and Another Sunday ranges of clothing and new summer footwear and beachwear, plus a Spring Romance womenswear range, plus new SS25 womenswear and menswear ranges.

Primark has a new Youth range, a Lilo and Stitch collaboration on clothes, plus handbags and shoes, new Edit ranges and retro band t-shirts for grown-ups and baby grows for musical toddlers, and everything for the beach and the outdoors from suntan lotions to flip flops.

Matalan has new makeup ranges, new accessory ranges for women, Kappa ranges of athleisure wear including clothes bags and sliders, a collaboration with Lilo & Stitch on kids clothes and accessories, and new Holiday shop swimwear collections.

Accessorize has new beachwear including shirts, shorts, bikinis and dresses, plus accessories including makeup sandals, bags, card holders and jewellery.

Barbour has new fragrance ranges, festival outfits, mens summer outfits including a range of festival wellies, plus a new Crocs collaboration, a Very British Summer collaboration of clothes and accessories with Lucy Williams.

Monsoon has new May, June and July drops, new wedding and bridal ranges, new SS25 ranges for the beach and holidays, plus women’s and kids clothing for the summer, new sandals for the beach.

M&S has new t-shirts, sandals, shoes, sunglasses, swimsuits and bikini ranges, Autograph underwear, suede-themed range of clothing, a Collection range of women's clothes, shoes, bags, jewellery, and accessories, new Per Una clothing ranges.

New Look has new women's wear, swimwear, footwear and accessories for the summer.

Scamp & Dude has new stripey clothes and accessories, new SS25 athleisure wear, dresses, shorts, jackets, hoodies, coats, bags and scarves, plus new collaborations with Nicky Newman and Sabrina Elba.

Very has a new Michelle Keegan collaboration, a new V by Very line of women’s wear for High Summer 2025 including dresses, tops, jeans, shorts and swimwear.

Iolla has new sunglasses and glasses for the summer with the option of multi-coloured lenses, plus ranges of frames and glasses based on nostalgia for a Scottish coastal summer.

Peacocks has a new summer womenswear, plus a Louise Redknapp Linen Edit for summer, a SS25 Edit range, and a new menswear range.

River Island has new Latin-American flavoured summer ranges of womenswear and menswear ranges, a new women’s wear collaboration with Latin-Australian brand Del Maar, including dresses, sarongs, sandals, bikinis and swimsuits, plus new linen outfits and jewellery.

Oliver Bonas has new May and June 2025 uploads of jewellery, women’s clothing, bags, hats, shoes, sunglasses and accessories as well as new ranges for SS25.

George at Asda has new summer holiday wear modelled by Yasmin Le Bon, including bikinis, swimsuits, shorts, trousers, dresses and accessories, plus new athleisure outfits and accessories.

TK Maxx has new womens, mens and kids clothing and accessories for the spring and summer, as well as haircare products and makeup.

Lipsy has a new Love & Roses V&A museum collaboration of womenswear.

Curvy Kate has its range of swimwear for the spring and summer, including swimming costumes and bikinis. 

Celtic & Co has new smart cool summer midi dresses and sandals for the holidays and the beach.

F&F has new F&F Active sportswear and athleisure collaboration with Kate Ferdinand, new summer beachwear campaign imagery and has Abbey Clancy top picks for the spring.

Bonmarché has a new Dash collaboration of summer outfits with Lisa Snowdon.

Joe Browns has new SS25 menswear, polo tops, t-shirts, shorts, shoes, hats and accessories plus womenswear including dresses, shorts, skirts, beachwear, shoes, jewellery, towels, sarongs, scarves, purses, handbags, shopping bags and beach bags for the summer.

See additional new clothing and accessories images from

John Lewis Dune London Cotton Traders Joma Jewellery Katie Loxton Crew Clothing  

Home, garden and food

Dobbies Garden Centres has new Disney-themed garden tools, bags, wheelbarrows and bird houses, new Father’s Day gifts, garden furniture, sheds and outside storage solutions, home houseplants including orchids, garden tool ranges, homeware, pet ranges, kids garden toys.

M&S has new AW25 homeware including dining ware, furniture, lighting, bedding and tableware, new wash bags beauty and wellness ranges, Ultimate bedding sets, makeup ranges, SS25 Boho, Classic and Exquisite Earth furniture and homeware ranges.

Matalan has gifts for Father’s Day.

Dunelm has a new AW25 Modern Nostalgia, Into the Wild, Harvest Hues and  Quite Luxury collections of homeware including furniture, bedding, curtains, soft furnishings and also a new collaboration with designer Sophie Robinson.

Nest has new Audo Copenhagen and Norwegian designer furniture for the home plus Hay Traverse and Pallisade garden furniture, including tables, chairs and loungers, new Vitra office furniture and new iving room furniture including lounge chairs.

Primark has new Lilo and Stitch themed things, outdoor ranges from picnic blankets to thermoses, bedding and tableware Edits, new Krispy Kreme and Hello Kitty collaborations for packed lunches, new paisley pattern soft furnishings and bedding.

Jellycat has a Bartholomew Bear collaboration with department store Liberty, new Amuseables range of animals, flowers and food, plus books and the cuddliest soft toys and bags for SS25.

Quorn Stone has new chequered decorative tiles for the bathroom.

Homesense has new homeware for the kitchen, dining room and the conservator, plus tableware  and picnic items for eating out in the garden.

Arran Sense of Scotland has a new After the Rain summer fragrance and a new mum and bride scent range.

Cambridge Imprint has new wrapping paper, memo books, pencils, labels, tea towels, box files, envelopes, postcard boxes, postcards, tea trays, lined exercise and hardback books, stamps, ribbons, and albums.

The Gluttonous Gardener has new ranges of plants and food. 

Home Bargains has new Father’s Day gifts, Wickford & Co candle jars and diffusers, plus luxury candles, diffusers and room sprays from The Vault.

Oliver Bonas has new Father’s Day gifts, new June/July/August/September/October drops of homeware ranges for the kitchen, dining room and lounge, plus furniture and home accessories including mirrors, lighting and tableware for SS25.

Online Home Shop has furniture for the garden including tables, chairs, benches, swings and hanging chairs.

Habitat has a new home collaboration with Scion including furniture, shelving, lighting, candles, diffusers soft furnishings and bedding.

Sofology has new SS25 furniture ranges, including power recliners, sofas, chairs and stools plus furniture for the lounge in bright spring colours.

See additional new home images from

Treats by Mars TK Maxx Jan Constantine B&M Designers Guild George Home Hobbycraft John Lewis

DIARY

PRShots Retail Calendar Alerts

Days until Father’s Day – 24

Days until School holidays start (23rd July) – 62

Days until Halloween - 162

Days until Christmas Day – 217

How to get your brand in the media in May

We’re now well into Spring, and there are two long bank holiday weekends to enjoy this month, and with a bit of luck, we’ll have great weather for at least one of them.

To get the best chance for a download, add images that are related to the summer, and make sure they’re accompanied by any keywords relating to being out of the house and into the garden and the great outdoors, including garden, garden parties, barbecues (don’t forget to add all of the other spellings BBQ, Bar-B-Que, etc.) picnics, outdoors.

Summer holidays are on the horizon, so campaign images that include the beach or the outside world will be used. Upload any images you have of summer outfits, holiday clothes, festival clothes, sandals, beachwear, swimsuits, bikinis, linen, and sandals.

Not everyone will be going abroad so still keep keywords and phrases like “staycation”, “holistay”, “holiday at home”, to your keywords, also think about uploading images more appropriate to a UK holiday, like cardigans and hoodies for the colder UK evenings.

May is also the start of wedding season, so if you have any wedding-related items, then get ready to promote them along with any wedding keywords, bridal, bride, groom, hen party, stag do, etc.

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.

May Diary - Weeks/Months

May is National Walking Month, National Smile Month (12^th May – 12^th Jun), and Skin Cancer Awareness Month.

It’s also:

Cannes Film Festival (13^th – 24^th)

Sandwich Week (19^th – 25^th) 

RHS Chelsea Flower Show (20^th – 24^th)

National Barbeque Week (May 26^th – Jun 1^st )

May - Days

22^nd – World Goth Day

22^nd – Craft Distillery Day (US)

25^th - Geek Pride Day

25^th – National Wine Day (US)

25^th – Camping-related searches rise

26^th – Spring Bank Holiday 

26^th – Memorial Day 

29^th – National Biscuit Day

29^th – Ascension Day 

30^th – BBQ searches peak

31^st - UEFA Champions League Final

 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).