Main Image: Bonmarché

PRShots Roundup brings you the latest retail news from B&Q, Ann Summers, Homebase, Boohoo, Asda, Wilko, Selskinz, Temu and M&S. Plus, three strategies retailers can learn from the top supermarkets, 6 steps to help improve your customer experience with AI and more.  

THE LATEST RETAIL INDUSTRY NEWS

B&Q owner Kingfisher narrows profit forecast

B&Q and Screwfix owner Kingfisher sales were down 0.6% to £3.2bn for the quarter to 31 Oct, mostly due to an October slowdown in sales due to bad weather and uncertainty in the market.

UK shoppers to spend over £2bn on second hand gifts this Christmas

Sales of pre-loved gifts are forecast to make up 10.2% of the total UK Christmas gift market this year, with the category particularly popular among those aged 18-45.

Ann Summers owners are exploring potential sale options

Ann Summers owners the Gold family are exploring options for the business that could include a partial or majority sale.

M&S to reset prices overseas as international sales dip

M&S chief executive Stuart Machin said it planned to “restore the competitiveness” of its overseas stores as they are “way out of kilter on price”.

Homebase racked up debts of over £730m ahead of collapse

The company behind Homebase owed more than £730m when it collapsed into administration before the brand was partially saved by The Range owner CDS.

Amazon workers in 20 countries to protest or strike on Black Friday

Amazon workers in more than 20 countries are expected to protest or strike during Black Friday to press for better workers’ rights and climate action from the retailer.

Boohoo fundraising agreed by lenders

Boohoo Group has received lender consent for the company's share issue to raise up to £39.3m.

BRC urges the government to take steps to ensure a safe Christmas for retail staff

The British Retail Consortium (BRC) and members have called on the government to take necessary steps to ensure retail staff have a safe Christmas.

Temu parent PDD Holdings Q3 revenues grow by 44%

Temu parent PDD Holdings Q3 revenues were up 44% to CNY99,354.4m (£10,950.67m), with an operating profit up 46% to CNY24,292.5m (£2,677.48m) on Q3 2023.

TRENDS, SUSTAINABILITY, STRATEGY AND TECHNOLOGY

Three strategies retailers can learn from the UK’s most innovative grocers

As the grocers employ increasingly innovative strategies in the fight for market share, there are crucial lessons wider retail must learn from their wins, and losses.

The secrets behind Inditex’s high-street success

From a small family-run business to a global fashion phenomenon, Inditex is dominating the high-street fashion space, Retail Week looks at how the Zara owner reached its royalty status

6 steps to help improve your customer experience with AI

It's easy for customers to get frustrated at handoffs between different AI tools and to human service agents.

Average return value hits £106

The number of online returns increased 3% this autumn, with the average return value also increasing by 7% to £106, suggesting UK consumers are returning more premium items.

UK consumers prepared to pay more for fashion from small firms

Overall, 21% of Britons prefer shopping with smaller businesses and 52% say this is primarily motivated by the appeal of unique and personalised products.

What went wrong at Trouva?

Online marketplace Trouva left “several hundred” boutique owners unpaid for months. Drapers investigates how the problem unfolded and the impact it has had on independent retailers.

PEOPLE, MOVERS AND SHAKERS

Former boss Allan Leighton returns to Asda as executive chair

Allan Leighton, who was chief executive of Asda from 1996 to 2000, is set to return to the grocer as the executive chair as the supermarket struggles with a sales slump.

BRAND NEWS

Wilko returns to London with new Uxbridge store

Wilko has returned to London with the opening of its new west London Uxbridge store in the Pavilions Shopping Centre.

Sealskinz has opened its first permanent store in London

Outdoor and premium apparel brand Sealskinz has opened its first ever permanent store in west London following a successful Christmas pop-up last year.

Saint + Sofia chooses Covent Garden for first physical store

The Saint + Sofia contemporary womenswear brand has chosen London’s Covent Garden for the opening of its first physical store.

Newbie expands further in UK

​Swedish childrenswear brand Newbie has chosen Guildford for its seventh and latest UK store as it continues its store opening programme in the British market.

AND FINALLY x2

Luxury billionaire Pinault rashes out of the global 100 richest

Francois Pinault, the founder of Kering – parent of Gucci, YSL etc - is no longer among the 100 richest people in the world as his wealth fell by 2/3rds to $20.3bn.

Katy Perry wins trademark case: Fashion label 'Katie Perry' must be revoked

Pop star Katy Perry has won her long-running trademark case against Australian fashion designer Katie Jane Taylor, who brands her label Katie Perry.

PRSHOTS TOP 10 SEARCHES

What were our users searching for on PRShots Week ending November 22^nd 2024?

1/ Christmas

2/ AW24

3/ Leopard

4/ SS25

5/ Sequin

6/ Candle

7/ Cushion

8/ Bathroom

9/ Lighting  

10/ Sofa

NEW BRANDS TO PRSHOTS

Frangipani was established in 2010, and produces men’s shirts and accessories crafted from high-quality materials and featuring bold prints or subtle contrasts. With each shirt embodying a perfect balance of comfort and elegance.

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.

Saywood was created in 2020 by Harriet Saywood-Bellisario, who graduated from the London College of Fashion before working at Paul Smith, Richard Nicoll and Label/Mix. The brand specialises in beautiful edits of wardrobe essentials and classics contemporised with unexpected details made to be worn and re-worn.

Jellycat is the brand of the moment and has been around for a quarter of a century. Over this time, their unmistakable characters have gained the affection of millions across 77 countries.

Priestleys was founded by husband and wife team James and Karen and specialises in producing little luxuries in their Lincolnshire workshop.  Their leather bags, belts, wallets and accessories are handcrafted using responsibly sourced leathers from gold and silver-rated tanneries in Europe and are supplemented with ranges of scarves and jewellery.

Sims Wear was founded by Billy Sims-Hilditch with the idea of creating British made menswear, using best-in-class natural fibres. The range is all home produced in Aberdeenshire from fibre carding and spinning, through to knitting, weaving, cutting and sewing.

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

Roman Originals has more AW24 imagery, new Petite, Curve and Dusk campaign ranges of womenswear for cosy evenings and big events, new nightwear ranges with pyjamas and cosy dressing gowns.

M&S has new menswear and womenswear from its Christmas adverts, a Bella Freud bag collaboration, the Christmas beauty advent calendar, party outfits for all the family, Christmas clothing, accessories and lingerie sets as well as post-surgery bras, the Dress the Nation range with Vernon Kay and AJ Odudu.

Primark has new accessories, a new ski range, a new Rita Ora collaboration of clothing, shoes, bags, jewellery and accessories, and new tie-ups with Wicked, The Grinch, Sonic the Movie and Ashleigh Huish.

New Look has more new November outfits, winter and occasion wear outfits for women, plus ranges of womenswear including coats, jumpers, skirts and tops.

Monsoon has new designer ranges, plus clothes, shoes, boots, bags and accessories for Christmas, new edits for women and kids, bags, shoes, jewellery and accessories.

Matalan has a new Taylor & Wright collaboration of menswear, a menopause lingerie range plus a new collaboration with The Lion King, Marvel, Paddington and Alder Hey hospital, Christmas women’s eveningwear, outdoor clothing, footwear, Christmas and Winter outfits for the whole family.

TK Maxx has SS25 clothing and accessory ranges including crochet outfits, Christmas gift-guides for men, women, kids and pets, plus new menswear and womenswear ranges including coats, jackets and hoodies.

River Island has a Christmas Gift Guide and Christmas jumpers, plus new Premium and Winter Reds collections, along with party outfits and accessories for the Christmas season for men, women and children.

Very has new V by very ranges of clothes and footwear including metallics, sequins and faux fur, a new Michelle Keegan collaboration, new Grinch-themed pyjamas for all the family, stocking filler accessories, partywear ranges.

George at Asda has a Children in Need range, women’s and menswear for Christmas occasions and parties, Children in Need Christmas outfits, a new Roksanda and Tickled Pink collaboration clothing ranges.

Peacocks has new Christmas jumpers and fashion, Caprice Christmas pyjama collections, new womenswear, a new Louise Redknapp AW and Christmas Edit, a Michael Owen collaboration and new AW24 womenswear and jewellery.

Fatface has a new Copper & Black range of womenswear, new menswear, and kids clothing, plus Christmas clothing, accessories and jewellery for all the family plus gifts for under £50, plus more AW24 Edit ranges of womenswear. 

Cotton Traders has new Christmas jumpers, cosy womenswear and menswear for AW24 including jumpers, cardigans and coats.

Celtic &Co has new Christmas accessories, jumpers and cosy outfits from the winter.

Oliver Bonas has new women’s clothing, bags, shoes, accessories and jewellery for the New Year and SS25.

Bonmarché has new Christmas jumpers and partywear, lingerie ranges, new jewellery and accessory ranges for Christmas and the winter and AW24 clothing ranges.

Scamp & Dude has Christmas party outfits and new AW24 womenswear ranges.

Peachaus has new sleepwear and lingerie for AW24 and SS25.

Dune London has new shoes, boots and bags.

See additional new clothing and accessories images from

Accessorize Fable England Barbour London Grace Deichmann Shoe Zone Online Home Shop

Home, garden and food

Online Home Shop has new rugs, bedding, foot warmers, hot water bottles, heated pads, body wraps, plus bar stools and furniture, mirrors, cuddle cushions, shaped pillows and bolsters.

TK Maxx has a new 1960s-inspired summer range of kitchenware and furniture for the office, plus new gifting ranges, a wellness range for the New Year, Christmas gift-guides for the home.

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

Designers Guild has new Studio Stripes patterns for SS25.

Jan Constantine has new cushions for SS25 and Valentine’s day.

Fritz Fryer has new antique lighting ranges, kitchen lighting ranges, as well as lamps and lights for every room in the home.

M&S has a new Nordic notes Christmas decoration ranges, National Gallery collaboration, stocking filler Christmas images and new Fearne Cotton Happy Place range, Christmas homeware including tableware, soft furnishings, candles and diffusers, Christmas decorations, homeware and bedding ranges.

Ivyline has new planters, pots for its indoor living ranges.

Cult Furniture has a new collaboration with Daniela Tasca.

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

Fatface has a collaboration with homeless charity Shelter, Christmas decorations for the Christmas tree and homeware gifts.

George Home has a new Christmas decorations for the tree, tableware, soft furnishings and trees, Stacey Solomon Christmas and Autumn collaborations on cookware, bedding, dining, and homeware.

Primark has new Wicked and Grinch themed gifts for kids and pets, furniture, Christmas decorations and homeware gifts, AW24 furniture, homeware, bedding, diffusers and candles.

Matalan has SS25 homeware images for the dining room, bedroom, bathroom and garden, plus Christmas gifts and decorations, a new Connie the Cockapoo range, AW24 soft furnishings and gifts, a new AW Cosy Shop range of bedding and soft furnishings, Christmas bedding ranges and presents for pets.

Treats by Mars has new Galaxy ranges of hot chocolate. 

Cutter & Squidge has a new boxed cookie range.

Sofology has new SS25 Premiere and Westwood ranges of sofas, chairs and recliners.

Homesense has new Christmas gift ideas for family and pets as well as new Christmas decorations.

See additional new home images from

Hobbycraft The Gluttonous Gardener Arran Sense of Scotland Monsoon Habitat Home Bargains Very B&M Rebel Walls Dobbies Garden Centres Cambridge Imprint

DIARY

PRShots Retail Calendar Alerts

Days until Black Friday – 4

Days until Christmas – 30

Days until Valentine’s Day – 81

Days until Easter - 146
 

How to get your brand on the November media calendars

We are well into autumn and the Christmas season, and the media are looking for images that help them fill all those “what to buy on Black Friday” features, the endless Christmas gift guides, and all those “What to wear for the Christmas party season” articles.  

You should be uploading Black Friday and Christmas images for most media, but long lead-time magazines will be looking at January issues, so anything that helps illustrate the inevitable “New you for 2025” issues will also be welcomed. So, any athleisure, outdoor, healthy, sporty images will all be useful. 

As always, don’t forget to add keywords – Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Thanksgiving, Gifts, Christmas, Xmas, Winter, plus all those words beloved of home and women’s magazines like cosy, cosiness, hygge and wellbeing.

Clothing-wise the media are looking for party wear, party dresses, nightwear, going-out outfits, Christmas Jumpers, jumpers, scarves, bobble hats, beanies, cardigans, coatigans, jackets, and coats. So, make sure you have plenty of images in those categories uploaded and labelled with as many of those words as you can.    

Also, make sure that if your clothing is made from a fabric associated with winter that it’s flagged up somewhere in the title/keyword or in more information. Wool (woolovers are a thing), cashmere, fur (faux obviously), velvet, plus the year’s big trends of sequins, metallics, red and gold.     

If you’re aiming at being included in Christmas Guides, then make sure you have added prices. Guides are normally price-led eg “Presents under £50”, “Party dresses for less than £150” and without prices, your items won’t be included.     

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.

November Diary - Weeks/Months

Events to add to your marketing diary for November include.

Movember which centres around men’s health issues and moustaches, so beard and shaving-related things might be useful. It’s also World Pancreatic Cancer Month, World Vegan Month, Men’s Health Awareness Month, and in the US, it’s also National Peanut Butter Lovers’ Month, Sweet Potato Month and Candy Month.

Weeks to celebrate in November include;

Transgender Awareness Week (13^th-19^th)

November - Days

25^th – 1 month until Christmas Day

28^th – Thanksgiving (US) 

29^th – Black Friday 

30^th – US Small Business Saturday 

30^th – St Andrew’s Day (Bank Holiday Scotland)

NB - All dates have been checked, but some events may change due to unforeseen circumstances or have not been fully confirmed for 2024 by the authorities controlling the event(s). 

Subscribe to our PRShots Daily News Digest

Get all the latest news from the retail sector with the PRShots daily news digest covering the fashion, beauty and home sectors. Every day we search out all the biggest news stories and retail trends from all of the UK’s leading news providers and bring them together in one place. Plus see the latest images from PRShots brands and keep up to date with our retail calendar. 

Subscribe now and get this PRShots Retail Digest news in your email every 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!!!