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PRShots Digest brings you the latest retail news from Clarks, Primark, Pandora, Lush, JD Sports, Shein, Wilko, ScS and M&S. Plus articles on sports retails big trends, the business behind Burberry’s revamp, why you need to digitize your business and more.

To see the latest news go to our Twitter account @prshotsr

THE LATEST RETAIL INDUSTRY NEWS

Pandora to open 10 UK stores this year

Pandora MD Rasmus Brix says “physical retail is here to stay,” as the business looks to add up to ten new stores in the UK this year, with four in London.

Marks & Spencer goes live with digital sportswear platform

Marks & Spencer has added the digital sportswear platform The Sports Edit it took a stake in last March onto its own website as part of its strategic focus on activewear.

Lush in legal dispute with ex-boss over share sale

Lush former chief executive Andrew Gerrie has accused the retailer of failing to record the transfer of a 19.8% stake worth £216.8m.

JD Sports targets 800 stores in US market

JD Sports' new chief executive Régis Schultz wants to grow its US store network from 137 to about 800 over the next five years, growing pre-tax profits from £947m last year towards the £2bn mark.

Shein projects doubling of revenues by 2025

Fast fashion retailer Shein has predicted its revenue will more than double to reach almost $60bn (£49.8bn) by 2025.

ScS completes £3.1m share buyback and continues to open new stores

ScS in on a rise with the completion of its £3.1m share buyback – started back in Nov 2022 - sales up 2.6% in the 10 weeks to the start of Feb, as well as opening its 100^th store

Frasers Group to commence £80m share buyback

Frasers Group has announced it intends to launch a new share buyback programme worth £80m that should be completed by the last trading day prior to the financial year end of April 30.

UK consumer spending in Europe falls to 12-month low as Asia-Pacific tourists return

The UK has dropped to fifth place behind the US, Taiwan, Republic of Korea and China in terms of Tax-Free shopping in Europe its lowest ranking in 12 months.

Planet Organic explores sale of business

Planet Organic has hired advisers Interpath to explore a possible sale of the business and its 13 UK stores in order for it to be able to deliver on its growth plans.

Wilko revamps senior leadership team to accelerate turnaround

Wilko has revamped its senior leadership as part of plans to stabilise and accelerate its turnaround and will be making changes to its management structure in both stores and head office.

Zopa acquires BNPL platform DivideBuy

Zopa is set to acquire BNPL platform DivideBuy, in a deal expected to increase its revenue by at least 20% over the next few years.

BNPL sees a successful January

Nearly £1 in every £8 spent online in January was sourced via BNPL providers, according to research by Adobe Analytics

Global consumers to cut fashion spend

Consumers globally are feeling the pinch as the cost-of-living crisis continues and 50% are "extremely" or "very" concerned about their personal financial situation.

Generative AI chatbots such as ChatGPT to fall under Online Safety Bill

Generative AI chatbot models such as OpenAI's ChatGPT are set to come under new regulation, according to the Government.

TRENDS, STRATEGY AND TECHNOLOGY

How #PerfumeTok is turning niche fragrances into the ultimate status symbol

Gen Z are investing heavily in indie fragrances thanks to a new wave of TikTok content which makes these lesser known scents ‘cool’.

Decathlon reveals sports retail’s biggest trends

From sustainability to sports tech and the emergence of non-traditional games like pickleball, Decathlon predicts the trends that will take centre stage in its sector in 2023’

What is holding back digitization in the fashion industry?

As the years go by, it becomes increasingly clear how much the world has changed under digitalization - and how the fashion world is still afraid to adapt.

The business behind Burberry's revamp

Ever since Rose Marie Bravo turned Burberry’s into a billion-dollar brand the heritage business has struggled to be a luxury leader in both size and positioning.

How Samsung plans to rival Apple in retail

Samsung is placing its bets on immersive retail this year as the technology giant opens another experiential pop-up, this time in Westfield London.

Top tips to improve your mobile ad strategy

Why mobile advertising should still be part of your marketing budget, and we’ll also look at some simple strategies you can use to turn negative ROAS into positive ROAS.

How Microsoft became innovative again

Microsoft’s recent about face was, has at its core, a cultural shift, driven by CEO Satya Nadella who laid out strategic changes to make the business think more like a startup.

How to optimize for AI ‘Answer Engines’

The merging of AI-driven chat into traditional search engines could transform organic results, producing relatively few answers to queries rather than an extended list of URLs.

True Fit extends collaboration with Google Cloud

True Fit is extending its strategic partnership with Google Cloud to deliver its 'Fashion Genome', the world's largest connected dataset for fashion into a cloud-delivered service.

BRAND NEWS

Clarks names new Originals creative specialist

Clarks has tapped self-proclaimed “Creative Jedi” Set Free Richardson to the join the business, taking on the role of Clarks Originals creative specialist

Primark creates 250 new jobs as it doubles down on Stratford flagship

Primark is to double the size of its Westfield Stratford City store as part of its pledge to invest in new shops across the UK.

Inditex adds Massimo Dutti's offer to Zara's US website

The Inditex group is continuing to integrate its brands and has added Massimo Dutti's offer to Zara's US website in order to boost the former brand's awareness and sales in the country.

AND FINALLY x3

Hermès pays all employees €4,000 bonus

Hermès is sharing the benefits of four consecutive quarter rises in revenue and its record windfall profits by handing a €4000 exceptional bonus to all of its 19,700 employees worldwide.

André Leon Talley auction raises over $3.5m for charity

The Christie's auction of US Vogue Editor at large André Leon Talley clothing and art collections raised more than $3.5m for charity.

Vogue and Snapchat presents the future of fashion in an AR exhibition in London

British Vogue and Snapchat are bringing an immersive augmented reality (AR) experience to the heart of London, featuring exclusive designs from Dior, Versace and many more to life.

PRSHOTS TOP 10 SEARCHES

What were our users searching for on PRShots Week ending February 17^th 2023?

1/ Easter 

2/ Mother’s Day

3/ Cushion

4/ Floral

5/ Dress

6/ Blazer

7/ Candle

8/ Vase

9/ Wallpaper  

10/ Plant

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

Curvy Kate lingerie and swimwear is designed to make women feel fabulous about their curves. With sizes from D to K cups Curvy Kate lingerie and swimwear ethos is to “Fit, lift, shape and comfort.”

Imp & Maker founded by entrepreneur Sarah Louise Fairburn to bring together food, drinks & gifts from established, emerging and exciting new names in the food & drink world for both home and corporate gifting.

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.

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

Lipsy has new SS23 clothing, accessories and shoes for women and bridesmaid outfits

Barbour has new kids clothing and womenswear ranges

Marks & Spencer has a new denim collection and lingerie for its “Love your Boobs” campaign

Primark has new summer clothing, makeup, women and kids clothing, accessories and new KEM, bridal, Denim, and Varsity ranges.

Roman Originals has new spring and summer ranges

Monsoon has a new SS23 womenswear and accessories, kids swimwear and summer clothing and new eco fabric Lenzing clothes

New Look has new swimwear and summer clothing drops

Very has V by Very swimwear and dresses plus Everyday womenswear ranges, handbags, shoes and accessories

Matalan launches the Papaya Curve range of clothes as well as new shoes and bags

River Island has new summer clothing and wedding outfits for him and her

PrettyLittleThing  has a new Ella May Ding ranges, Gemma Owen collabs and a new Renew range featuring Molly Mae and going out wear

Office has new men and womens ranges

Dune London Men’s has new SS23 ranges

TU Clothing has new ranges

Cotton Traders has new men’s and women’s wear

NoLoGo  has new ranges for spring and summer

Fatface has the Fletchers in its new campaign

Radley has new ranges but check the embargo

See additional new clothing and accessories images from the last few weeks at

Regatta Dune London Cath Kidston Bryony Bel Threadbare Joe Browns Aspiga Oliver Bonas From my mother’s garden Cath Kidston TK Maxx  Freemans Night Store Peacocks John Lewis Tu Clothing F&F Bonmarché Deichmann UK George at Asda

Home and food

Cuckooland has new furniture

Dobbies Garden Centres has new things for the home, edible planting, patio furniture, house plants, chimeneas, pizza ovens, firepits.

Dunelm has new homeware and Easter gifts and decorations

The Range has Easter homeware and decorations, plus kitchen and homeware to keep you organised in 2023

Cartwright & Butler has new Easter and Mother’s Day hampers and gifts

Cardfactory has new Mother’s Day gifts

Wilko has hundreds of new kitchen, dining, bed, bath and living room items

National Trust shop has new Easter gifts

B&M has their new Ocean Tide and Simply Home ranges for the bedroom, bathroom, dining room and lounge

Next launches Easter collections as well as a new Tahiti, Stockholm, Arches, Valencia and Medley collections

Homesense has new SS23 home and garden items plus gifts for Easter and Mother’s day

Biscuiteers Baking has new ranges for Easter, Mother’s day and Father’s Day

Cutter & Squidge has Mother’s day and Easter hampers and goodies

National Trust Shop has new puzzles,  gifts and things for the garden

Fritz Fryer has new lighting solutions

Cult Furniture  has new tables and chairs

See additional new home images from the last few weeks from

Nest  Furniture Village Fatface George Home Daisy Park  Very Primark Home Oliver Bonas Cath Kidston TK Maxx Hotel Chocolat Sofology John Lewis Marks & Spencer Cambridge Imprint  Designers Guild Matalan NoLoGo Avalana Dune London Luxdeco Designers Guild White Stuff Monsoon

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 Mother’s Day – 26

Days until Easter – 47

Days until Eid al-Fitr – 59

Days until Halloween – 252

Days until Singles Day - 263

Days until Black Friday – 276

Days until Christmas Day – 307

How to get your brand on the February Editorial Calendars, search engines and social media 

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 (18^th-26^th)

Other events include;

London Fashion Week (17^th – 21^st)

Fairtrade Fortnight (Feb 27^th – Mar 12^th)

February is also National Bird Feeding Month in the US

February - Days

21^st – Shrove Tuesday / Pancake Day 

22^nd – Ash Wednesday 

26^th - National Wear Red Day (Support for Heart disease)

How to get your brand on the March Editorial Calendars, search engines and social media 

March is mostly about preparing for the big Easter holidays in April so make sure you are starting to include relevant Easter keywords, plus 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 and get Mother, gifts, or Mother’s Day into your keywords for anything that seems appropriate. Also, if you have anything green then add the Keyword St Patricks 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).   

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 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 the British Heart Foundation 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.   

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;

Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month

Fairtrade Fortnight (Feb 27^th – Mar 12^th)

British Pie Week (6^th-12^th)

British Science Week (10^th-19^th)

Butchers Week (6^th-12^th)

World Autism Awareness Week (Mar 27^th – Apr 2^nd)

Ideal Home Show (Mar 17^th – Apr 2^nd)

London Bridal Fashion Week (19^th-21^st)

National Fragrance Week (20^th-26^th)

March - Days

1^st – St David’s Day

2^nd – Dr Seuss Day (US)

2^nd – World Book Day

3^rd – World Wildlife Day

3^rd – World Hearing Day

4^th – World Obesity Day

5^th - Passover Begins 

7^th – Holi Hindu Festival

8^th – International Women’s Day

8^th – No Smoking Day

12^th – The Oscars 

13^th – Commonwealth Day

13^th - Passover Ends 

15^th – Spring Budget Day

17^th – St Patrick’s Day

17^th – World Sleep Day

17^th - Red Nose Day for Comic Relief

18^th – Global Recycling Day

19^th - Mother’s Day UK

20^th – First Day of Spring 

21^st – International Day of Forests

21^st – World Poetry Day

22^nd – World Water Day

22^nd - Start of Ramadan

25^th – National Bridesmaids Day

26^th – British Summertime Begins 

26^th – Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race

31^st – Wear a Hat Day (Brain Tumour Research)  

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!!!

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