Main Image: Iolla

PRShots Roundup brings you the latest retail news from Boots, Gap, Poundland, Beaverbrooks, Boohoo, Victoria’s Secret, House of CB, Shoezone, Sainsbury’s, Primark, Pandora, White Stuff, Flying Tiger, Waitrose and John Lewis. Plus new ISBA guidelines on AI, the best times to post on social media and more.  

THE LATEST RETAIL INDUSTRY NEWS

Boots owner strikes $10bn takeover deal with US private equity giant

Boots is set to be sold to US private equity firm Sycamore Partners as part of a $10bn deal that will take its parent company, Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA), private.

John Lewis unveils inflation-busting pay rise

John Lewis Partnership is investing £114m in an increase in higher annual pay, bringing the increase over the last two years to £230m.

Gap reports higher earnings and comparable sales in Q4

Gap Q4 sales were down 3% to $4.1bn but net income was up to $206m from $185m. Gap expects net sales to grow between 1-2% in 2025.

Poundland owner receives interest from potential buyers

Pepco Group boss Stephen Borchert said Poundland had already attracted interest from potential buyers amid news of them “actively exploring” a sale.

Beaverbrooks to close seven stores

Beaverbrooks has said it will close seven UK stores in March and April following a performance review. However, it’s opening one new store and is continuing with its store update plans.   

Frasers raises stake in Boohoo to almost 30%

Frasers Group has increased its stake in Boohoo Group again raising its voting rights from just over 28% to a little over 29%.

Klarna set for US IPO

Klarna is looking to raise a minimum of $1bn in a US initial public offering (IPO), valuing the business at $15bn, with the IPO as soon as next week.

Retail representatives from High Streets UK release recommendations on business rates

High Streets UK, a new initiative launched by representatives from British retailers, has laid out a series of policy recommendations in response to the government’s business rates paper.

THG joins FTSE 250 following Ingenuity split

THG has been promoted to the FTSE 250 in the latest quarterly reshuffle following the demerger of its ecommerce Ingenuity business at the start of the year.

Victoria’s Secret Q4 sales stable

Victoria’s Secret Q4 sales to 1 Feb were up 1% to $2.106bn with sales for FY24 up 1% to $6.230bn and Net income up to $165m from $109m.

TRENDS, SUSTAINABILITY, STRATEGY AND TECHNOLOGY

New ISBA guidelines include advice on using AI

The Incorporated Society of British Advertisers (ISBA) has unveiled its Media Service’s Framework 2025 including new advice on artificial intelligence.

Best times to post on social media

Hootsuite has found the overall best time to post on social media in 2025 is 12 PM on Fridays. Dig in for recommendations for specific networks and industries.

House of CB's founder launches fund for female founders this IWD

Conna Walker, the founder of House of CB, is championing female entrepreneurs this International Women’s Day with a £20,000 business fund.

How to build an effective social media strategy

This complete guide from Hootsuite will help you build a successful social media marketing strategy and follow the right best practices from day one.

Why digital brands like Netflix and Wayfair are betting on physical stores

Digital-first brands are investing in bricks-and-mortar, not just for sales, but for immersive brand experiences.

UK consumers will vote with their purses if single-used plastic packaging glut continues

New research shows 65% of UK consumers felt retail is falling short when it comes to cutting harmful plastic, with just 18% saying they are doing enough.

Shoezone launches renewed app

Shoezone has launched a new app offering a range of new features, such as a wishlist and an interactive returns portal and forms part of its expanded omnichannel strategy.

PEOPLE, MOVERS AND SHAKERS

Pandora appoints ex-Nespresso & G-Star exec

Pandora has named Nicole Clayton as its new General Manager. Clayton served as the global chief digital officer for Nestlé-Nespresso in Switzerland and will relocate to London for her new role.

BRAND NEWS

Sainsbury’s unveils new convenience store format

Sainsbury’s has unveiled a refreshed look for its Local convenience stores, the first store to have a makeover is in Pudsey Town Local store in Leeds.

Primark opens first ever standalone home store in Belfast

Primark has today opened the doors of its world-first standalone home concept in Belfast City Centre

Waitrose brings back Warburtons after two years

Waitrose is selling a selection of Warburtons products again after more than two years since they were pulled from shelves following a commercial dispute over pricing.

White Stuff launches archive collection

Celebrating its 40th year, British lifestyle brand White Stuff is delving into its archive to launch a 17-piece collection called ‘Rewind ’85'.

Flying Tiger Copenhagen plans parcel locker expansion

Flying Tiger Copenhagen boosted online conversion rates by 20%, following the introduction of a new checkout solution designed to enhance its delivery offer for customers.

AND FINALLY

Why slim is in, leggings are pants & sexy is back in 2025

The rends from the Fall/Winter 2025 fashion shows, show bottoms are snug and leggings are pants, and everything is sexy.

PRSHOTS TOP 10 SEARCHES

What were our users searching for on PRShots Week ending February 28^th 2025?

1/ SS25

2/ Mother’s Day

3/ Easter

4/ Denim

5/ Garden

6/ Cushion

7/ Kitchen

8/ Tray

9/ Lamp  

10/ Shoes

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

Gemini Worktops are a new kitchen business based in Yorkshire that’s shaking things up by letting customers skip the middlemen and score top-quality quartz worktops without the hefty mark-ups.

Laura Bond was started by Laura and her husband Doug, and has been independent and family owned since 2019. They create jewellery and specialise in ear and nose piercings and use responsibly sourced or recycled solid gold.

Oriana B.  was launched in 2019 by Dublin-based Londoner Katharine Deas sourcing and selling unique furniture online, having pivoted from a 25-year international corporate career to pursue her love of design. Oriana B products include furniture, lampshades, lights, lamps, and mirrors.

Joma Jewellery was established in the UK in 2007 by Katie and Geoff who were travelling through Asia looking for inspiration and chanced on a jewellery market in China that created unique, eye-catching designs. In 2015 Joma expanded to open in Europe and now has sites in France, Germany, Spain, Italy and Norway and opened its first UK store in 2019.

Katie Loxton    Katie Loxton is the go-to online destination for beautifully personalised handbags, accessories, and gifts for all occasions including Mother’s Day. All their Designed in the UK all their products are designed in the UK with their bags all made from vegan leather.

BRANDS WITH NEW IMAGES

Clothing, beauty and accessories

Roman Originals has new Curve ranges, big pattern and denim SS25 womenswear imagery and new Petite imagery.

Scamp & Dude has new SS25 ranges, a new collaboration with Sabrina Elba, plus new leopard print dresses.

Cotton Traders has new men and women’s clothes, shoes and accessories including beachwear and swimsuits, plus campaign images with Will Mellor and Alex Jones.

Primark has new childrenswear, more Keith Haring & Basquiat collaborations, a new band t-shirt music drop, new Kappa athleisure wear, beauty ranges, bridal ranges of lingerie and shoes, St Patricks Day outfits and new denim ranges.

Iolla has new ranges of frames and glasses based on nostalgia for a Scottish coastal summer.

Peacocks has a new Louise Redknapp SS25 Edit range, new menswear range, plus new womenswear SS25 clothing ranges including skirts, jumpers, a new Caprice SS25 lingerie range.

M&S has new perfume ranges, new casual and formal menswear ranges, plus men’s and women’s Collection ranges of clothes and accessories including bags, shoes and jewellery, plus men and women’s Autograph underwear.

TK Maxx has new menswear and women’s wear and accessory range, including jewellery and sunglasses for the summer.

River Island has new women’s wear range that’s a tribute to Ibiza’s Café Del Maar, perfume ranges, new Arm Candy bags, Ready for the Races line of clothes, shoes and accessories, Editor Approved Tailoring, a new Check Mate range, new women’s denim clothing and accessories ranges.

Very has new drops for March, new Mother’s Day, a new V by Very and V by Very Curve ranges of dresses, jumpers, jackets, coats jumpsuits, swimwear, jeans, trousers and shoes, a new Michelle Keegan collaboration and new athleisure wear.

B&M has new children’s fancy dress costumes.

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

Barbour has new rainwear ranges, new collaborations with Alexa, Erdem and To Ki To, plus Chapter One collections, new clothing ranges, plus accessories for your pets.

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

Monsoon has new women’s and kids clothing for the summer, new sandals for the beach, plus new jewellery and bags for women and kids, new wedding outfit shoes and dresses.

F&F has new Abbey Clancy top picks for the spring.

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

Matalan has a new baby range, Peter Rabbit and Bluey collaboration of kidswear, new Et Vous Spring women’s ranges, a men’s Smart edit, new bag ranges, new nightwear & lingerie, costume ranges for kids, women and menswear for the spring, clothing for the family for Eid, athleisure wear.

George at Asda has a new kidswear, Style Stories Kat Farmer Studio Edit collaboration, new Modern World collection and a Studio Edit of womenswear, bridal collection, Style Stories by Erica Davies and G21 Maisie Smith collection ranges, new Gym Locker activewear ranges.

Lipsy has new Love & Roses clothing and bridal ranges for SS25.

Threadbare has new SS25 womenswear and menswear ranges.

Frangipani has new menswear and jewellery.

Fable England has new Alice’s Garden, Running Bunny and Bunny Blues jewellery and bags, Wonderland ranges of bags and scarves, plus new accessories and core jewellery ranges.

London Grace has new nail polish ranges.

Crew Clothing has new menswear and womenswear ranges of clothes and accessories for the spring and summer.

Tu Clothing has new SS25 womenswear ranges of clothes, shoes, bags and accessories.

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.

See additional new clothing and accessories images from

Celtic &Co Bonmarché Regatta Deichmann Fatface Sims Wear Saywood Dune London Mens Joe Browns John Lewis Lola Starr

Home, garden and food

M&S has new homeware including furniture, lighting, bedding and tableware, Mother’s Day beauty boxes, new wash bags beauty and wellness ranges, Ultimate bedding sets, makeup ranges, SS25 Boho, Classic and Exquisite Earth furniture and homeware ranges, new gifts, new furniture, soft furnishings and kitchenware for SS25.

TK Maxx has new homeware and gifts for Easter and Mother’s Day.

Dobbies Garden Centres has garden tool ranges, Mother’s Day 2025 gifts, office and home houseplants, homeware, pet ranges, kids garden toys, a Get Set for Spring Range, new Heritage range of outdoor gardening items including throws and firepits.

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

B&M has garden decorations and Easter themed gifts, cookware and dining decorations, everything pet related from food to car seats, new bathroom accessories, bedding, luggage, new Mother’s Day gifts, seasonal candle, diffusers, cushions and throws for SS25.

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

Treats by Mars has new M&M movie kits, Galaxy Pink Hot Chocolate ranges, plus more Snickers and Galaxy ranges. 

Quorn Stone has new Frome white stone, Orwell Natural Porcelain Stone, and Chastleton Ivory Stone and Natural Tiles, plus Alnwick Ivory and Provenca Crema marble and tiles for the kitchen.

Oliver Bonas has new homeware ranges for the kitchen, dining room and lounge, plus furniture and home accessories including mirrors, lighting and tableware for SS25.

Jan Constantine has new throws and cushion ranges for Mother’s Day.

Online Home Shop has new curtains, cushions, duvet covers and throws, plus storage solutions, side tables and chest of drawers, rugs and bedding.

The Gluttonous Gardener has new remembrance plants, plus flower ranges for the spring and summer.

Primark has new luggage, tableware, furniture, storage, towels, bedding, plus Easter gifts plus soft furnishings, furniture and homeware for SS25.

Home Bargains has new travel ranges of luggage and Easter decorations, things for garden entertaining, new home exercise accessories, Mediterranean and Travellers Bazaar ranges, homeware from SS25 for the bedroom, bathroom and living rooms.

Jellycat has a new Amuseables range of animals, flowers and food, plus books and the cuddliest soft toys and bags for SS25.

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

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

Cambridge Imprint has new lined exercise and hardback books, stamps, Easter block sets, ribbons, albums, tea towels, exercise books, notebooks, sketchbook, memo books, 3D card ranges, plus storage solutions including boxes, files, trays and gift card designs for SS25.

Fritz Fryer has new kitchen lighting, plus new lantern and pendant lighting ranges.

Very has new beauty ranges, cameras, diffusers and candles.

Furniture Village has new furniture ranges for the bedroom, dining room, office, and lounge.

George Home has new Stacey Solomon collaborations on cookware, bedding, dining, and homeware. New Easter ranges of table wear, new home gifts and furniture, and Lucky Charm range and Dark Garden SS25 interiors ranges.

Ivyline has new garden furniture, firepits, trellising, plant pots, planters, citronella candles, fountains and storage for the garden.

Hotel Chocolat has new Velvetiser ranges, alcoholic drinks and chocolates for Mother’s Day and other events.

See additional new home images from

Designers Guild Regatta Hobbycraft Nest Cult Furniture

DIARY

PRShots Retail Calendar Alerts

Days until Mother’s Day - 23

Days until Easter – 44

Days until Father’s Day - 100

Days until Christmas Day - 293
 

How to get your brand in the media in March

March is mostly about preparing for the big Easter holidays next month, so make sure you are starting to include relevant Easter keywords. It’s also the time people make their first big getaway abroad, so any keywords and clothes for warmer climes, loungewear, going out wear, swimsuits, bikinis, etc, should be added.

At the end of the month, there’s Mother’s Day, so try to get Mother, gifts, or Mother’s Day into your keywords for anything that seems appropriate. Also, if you have anything green, add the Keyword St Patrick's Day.

Plus, as we’re now definitely in Spring, carry on adding those spring and summer-related images and adding keywords relating to the summer, like swimwear, outdoor living, garden, garden parties and Barbecues (don’t forget to add all of the other spellings BBQ, Bar-B-Que etc) and for home it’s all about Spring cleaning and updating for Spring.   

We’re also starting to get ready for the bridal season – the peak is May to October – so If you have bridal wear or anything appropriate to weddings, then start to upload it and label it with the keyword wedding.

Lastly, it’s Oscar month, so why not upload some smart suits and dresses and create an Oscar section for an evening watching the Oscars?  

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.

March Diary - Weeks/Months

In the UK, it’s National Bed Month. Introduced by The Sleep Council and The National Bed Federation, it aims to raise awareness of the importance of sleep, so push anything sleep-related. It’s also Dechox month, which encourages people to give up chocolate – cakes and biscuits - for the month! So, any chocolate, biscuit or cake alternatives should be pushed. It’s also Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, Walk All Over Cancer Month, Endometriosis Awareness Month, Brain Tumour Awareness Month, Women’s History Month.  

Interesting Stat: National No-Smoking Day was originally on Ash Wednesday when it was started in 1984. It was moved to the second Wednesday in March as, while it’s less easy to remember, the date doesn’t move around the calendar quite so much as Ash Wednesday does.  

Other events include;

Paris Fashion Week (3^rd Mar – 11^th Mar)

British Pie Week (3^rd-9^th) 

British Science Week (7^th-16^th)

Butchers Week (10^th-16^th) 

English Tourism Week (14^th – 23^rd)

National Fragrance Week (17^th-23^rd)

Bridal Fashion Week (23^rd-24^th)

The Big Walk and Wheel (24^th – 4^th April) 

Ideal Home Show (Mar 21^st – 6^th Apr)

March - Days

8^th – International Women’s Day

9^th – Made in UK Day

9^th - Quadragesima 

10^th – Commonwealth Day 

12^th – No Smoking Day

14^th – World Sleep Day

14^th – Holi Hindu Festival 

17^th – St Patrick’s Day

17^th – Maundy Thursday 

18^th – Global Recycling Day

20^th – First Day of Spring

21^st – International Day of Forests

21^st - Red Nose Day for Comic Relief

21^st – World Poetry Day

22^nd – World Water Day

22^nd – Easter egg searches rise

23^rd – Gardening searches rise

25^th – National Bridesmaids Day

26^th – Five years since the first lockdown started in the UK in 2020

28^th – Wear a Hat Day (Brain Tumour Research) 

30^th - Mother’s Day UK 

30^th – British Summertime Begins

30^th – Eid al-Fitr / End of Ramadan 

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).