Main Image: River Island

PRShots Roundup brings you the latest retail news from Sosandar, B&M, Cotton Traders, Aldi, Fitflop, Mango, Lucy & Yak, ProCook, ToFS, Paul Smith, Juicy Couture, Hamleys and M&S. Plus, how to build a brand that's true to your company and resonates with customers, using problem-solving content to grow AI SEO and more. 

THE LATEST RETAIL INDUSTRY NEWS

Sosandar moderates growth expectations due to M&S cyber incident

Sosandar says lower sales via M&S due to the cyber-attack and a halt to new store openings means they are taking a “prudent view” and cutting sales expectations by £2.6m for 2025.

Policing minister vows to put more police on streets to tackle rising retail crime

The Minister of State for Crime, Policing and Fire has said that the government wants to see more police across UK towns and high streets in a bid to tackle rising retail crime.

B&M quarterly sales rise driven by spring heatwave

B&M group revenues were up 1.3% to £1.4bn in the 13 weeks to 28 June, with UK sales up 4.7% to £1.13bn.

June retail sales climb amid soaring temperatures

UK retail sales grew 3.1% in June, up from a drop of 0.2% in June 2024, according to the British Retail Consortium (BRC).

Amazon Prime Day UK sales top £2bn

UK consumers spent £2.08bn in Amazon’s four-day Prime Event between the 8th and the 11th July, an 11% increase on last year.

Cotton Traders posts increase in operating profit for 2024

Cotton Traders FY24 sales fell by 1% to £107.88m, but operating profits were up 3% to £9.46m, driven by an “incremental increase in online and in-store sales.”

Marks & Spencer warns of store closures

M&S has warned that it could be forced to close several of its stores as Chancellor Rachel Reeves plans to increase business rates on larger properties.

Aldi surpasses Asda as Scotland’s second biggest supermarket by volume

Aldi has overtaken Asda for the first time to become Scotland’s second biggest supermarket by volume, according to new data from Kantar.

Marks & Spencer debuts in Australia via David Jones

Marks & Spencer is entering the Australian market via a partnership with David Jones (stores and online), starting with M&S’s core lingerie and sleepwear range.

UK government introduces new trade measures for developing countries

The UK government has introduced new measures that intend to simplify imports from developing countries.

TRENDS, SUSTAINABILITY, STRATEGY AND TECHNOLOGY

Using problem solving content to grow AI SEO

Merchants looking for AI visibility should create problem-solving content. Attempting to match keywords to prompts is fruitless.

How to turn social listening into business value

Hootsuite explains how to use social listening to monitor social media channels for mentions of your brand and competitors and put those insights to work.

Why and how to build a brand that's true to your company and resonates with customers.

Branding isn’t a marketing tactic. It’s the strategy behind business success when shaped by a strong story infused with the voice of the customer.

Llms.txt could help AI find your brand

The proposed llms.txt standard would guide large language models to relevant web content, helping online shops show up in AI-powered shopping.

Almost two-thirds of shoppers turn to loyalty programs as economic fears grow

More than half (55%) of UK shoppers are more likely to join loyalty programs now than they were a year ago as economic uncertainty continues to shape spending habits.

The Works CEO on the strategy behind its family-focused turnaround

The Works is in the middle of a transformational journey as it looks to establish itself as an affordable retailer providing entertainment for the whole family.

How to use AI to turn one event into a month of content

AI lets you personalise outreach, repurpose video and treat event content like a business asset — not an afterthought.

PEOPLE, MOVERS AND SHAKERS

FitFlop names new chief product officer

FitFlop has named Louise Noble as its new chief product officer as it looks to renew its focus on design. Noble joins from natural health and lifestyle brand Vivobarefoot.

Mango appoints former H&M boss to board

Spanish fashion giant Mango has appointed former H&M boss Helena Helmersson to its board of directors.

BRAND NEWS

Lucy & Yak launch new sub-brand offering a “more muted, tranquil approach”

Lucy & Yak, known for its colourful and joyful clothing, is launching a new sub-brand, L&Y, which will offer clothing that makes a statement “in a more understated way”.

ProCook expands retail footprint with opening at Cotswolds Designer Outlet

ProCook is to open its fourth store of the year at the new Cotswolds Designer Outlet when it launches this week.

The Original Factory Shop relocates head office

The Original Factory Shop has relocated its headquarters to Bolton and closed its distribution centre amid a restructuring process.

Morrisons rolls out ‘More Card’ prices for Deliveroo customers

Morrisons has today announced that its More Card Prices are now available for customers shopping the grocer through the Deliveroo app.

Juicy Couture launches Just Moi fragrance

Juicy Couture has launched a new eau de parfum fragrance, dubbed "Just Moi" and builds on the legacy of the Viva La Juicy collection.

Paul Smith introduces Art of Travel for summer campaign

Paul Smith has launched a summer campaign entitled ‘Art of Travel’, with British actor Daniel Ings signed to “bring the campaign to life”.

AND FINALLY

Hamleys releases list of 100 top toys of all time

Hamleys is marking its 265th anniversary by choosing the top 100 children’s favourite toys since its founding back in 1760.

PRSHOTS TOP 10 SEARCHES

What were our users searching for on PRShots Week ending July 11^th 2025?

1/ AW25

2/ SS25

3/ Christmas

4/ Halloween

5/ Cushion

6/ Embroided

7/ Rug

8/ Back-to-school

9/ Outdoor  

10/ Skirt

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

Villeroy & Boch manufactures everything from crockery for the table to bathroom fittings including vanity units, bathrooms and taps and they’ve been around since 1748, and are available in 140 countries.

Quay is a sunglasses company that was born out of the US festival scene and as you would expect from an alternative birth it does things differently.   

Inspecs has new SS25 imagery of sunglasses from Radley, Superdry and Botaniq. 

Salts Cashmere is launching 1^st September with a unisex range of cashmere jumpers and tops that are made in Yorkshire.

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.

BRANDS WITH NEW IMAGES

Clothing, beauty and accessories

Oliver Bonas has new jewellery and clothing for September, plus new accessory drops  including bags, hats, shoes, sandals, scarves and sunglasses.

Barbour has new clothing ranges plus new outfits and footwear for the festival season.

Roman Originals has new Curve and Petite ranges, plus 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.

Dune London has new women's accessories, including Deliberate, Define, Dedicated and Dinidearest ranges of handbags, clutches and purses.

Accessorize has new jewellery, a new Palma range of womenswear shoes and accessories, a new SS25 beachwear, bags, scarves and jewellery – including Z charms - a new Seville range of beachwear and clothing.

M&S has new back-to-school ranges including clothes and shoes, summer menswear and womenswear campaign imagery, plus new t-shirts, sandals, shoes, sunglasses, swimsuits and bikini ranges.

TK Maxx has new summer clothing, shoes, boots, jewellery and accessories, including bags, hats and sunglasses for both men and women.

Primark has new denim, youth and newborn – including Bambi - ranges, a new KEM collaboration and has new perfume ranges, plus new nightwear, and new Hight Summer Rita Ora collaboration of clothes and accessories.

New Look has new womenswear outfits and cowboy core womenswear drops for July.

Monsoon has new AW25 clothing and accessories including bags, sunglasses, shoes, boots, scarves and jewellery, new wedding and bridal ranges, new SS25 ranges for the beach and holidays, plus women’s and kids clothing for the summer.

Bonmarché has new women's wear ranges for AW25, including coats, blouses, jackets and jumpers.

John Lewis has a new back-to-school kids range of uniforms.

F&F has new active wear and Abbey Clancy festival imagery, a new summer band t-shirts and beach wear drop, new F&F Active sportswear and athleisure collaboration with Kate Ferdinand, new summer beachwear campaign imagery.

Very has new V by Very July drops of womenswear for high-summer from midi skirt dresses to jeans and ra-ra skirts.

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

River Island has new Rococo Revival and Perfect Prints range of summer clothing, RI Studio range and Mykonos Night range of womenswear, new Wimbledon whites ranges, new summer festival outfits and accessories, new Arm Candy beaded bag range.

Cotton Traders has new AW25 womenswear, new Jasmine Harman’s SS25 Edit of beachwear and relaxed summer clothing and accessories.

Deichmann has back-to-school shoes, sandals, water bottles and lunch bags and boxes for kids for the autumn term.

Matalan has back-to-school ranges, AW25 transitional womenswear and accessory ranges, England football strips, plus Paw Patrol kidswear, makeup ranges, and new accessory ranges for women.

Sims Wear has new linen menswear for the summer.

The Orchard has a new Christmas gifting collaboration with Ellie Beaumont. 

Fatface has new AW25 clothing ranges for women and has a new collaboration with the Marine Conservation Charity and has new beachwear and evening wear for the summer plus new shoes, sandals and accessories.

Iolla has new summer sunglasses ranges for him and her.

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.

See additional new clothing and accessories images from

National Trust Curvy Kate Fable England Threadbare  George at Asda

Home, garden and food

M&S has a new Dopamine Modern range of homeware for the bedroom, kitchen, lounge and dining room.

Oliver Bonas has Christmas decorations, gifts and things for the home, plus new July/August/September/October drops of homeware ranges for the kitchen, dining room and lounge for SS25.

TK Maxx has new Halloween decorations and homeware, back-to-school ranges with lunch bags and stationery and pens, homeware ranges for the kitchen, dining room and lounge from cups and vases to cushions and lamps.

Dobbies Garden Centres has tomato growing kits, Christmas and Halloween decorations, new summer pots, pet toys and hoses, plus Disney-themed garden tools, bags, wheelbarrows and bird houses.

Nest has new Tradition Icons furniture, new HKLiving furniture and rugs, Audo Copenhagen and Norwegian designer furniture for the home plus Hay Traverse and Pallisade garden furniture.

Matalan has Christmas decorations and gifts, AW25 homeware for the autumn including Halloween and Harvest Festival themed soft furnishings.

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

Quorn Stone has Chalfont and Orotelli decorative tiles, plus new natural stone and new Lullington Beige stone effect floor tiles, Canyon Terrazzo effect porcelain tiles and chequered decorative tiles for the bathroom.

Arran Sense of Scotland has 2025 Christmas gift packs and an advent calendar, new refill packages, home fragrances, scented candles, After the Rain summer fragrance and a new mum and bride scent range.

Hobbycraft has new kids ideas for the summer holidays plus DIY decoration ideas for homes.

Ruggable has new outdoor ranges of its machine-washable rugs, plus rugs for every room in the home including collaborations with top designers and influencers.

Cambridge Imprint has new mug ranges, sketching pencils, patterned wrapping paper, memo books, labels, tea towels, box files, envelopes, postcard boxes, postcards, and tea trays.

Ivyline has Christmas ranges including trees, wreaths, tree skirts and decorations, and  new pots, planters, candleholders and lanterns for inside and outside the home.

Treats by Mars has new Galaxy Frappe Duo and Caramel mixes.

Primark has new travel gadgets, new summer-themed homeware including kitchenware, candles and soft furnishings, Lilo and Stitch themed things, outdoor ranges from picnic blankets to thermoses, bedding and tableware.

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

Jellycat has a new Amuseables range of animals, flowers and food, new baby ranges, a Bartholomew Bear collaboration with department store Liberty.

National Trust has winter homeware and book, plus a collaboration with Sitting Spiritually on a selection of outdoor swings from two-seater to four-seaters as well as pots for the garden, water bottles and autumn decorations.  

Furniture Village has new AW25 Cottagecore Comfort furniture for bedrooms and Cherry Lacquer for dining rooms and living rooms and Seeing Green office and dining furniture.

See additional new home images from

George Home The Gluttonous Gardener Home Bargains Online Home Shop Habitat Sofology

DIARY

PRShots Retail Calendar Alerts

Days until School holidays start (23rd July) – 8

Days until School holidays ends (3rd Sept) – 50

Days until Halloween – 108

Days until Black Friday - 137

Days until Christmas Day – 163

How to make your products attractive to the media in July

Our July PR toolkit and content calculator is here to help PRs and marketers forward-plan campaigns and pitches armed with some timely and topical angles, plus it’s a checklist for potential campaign hooks.

Summer is here! So keep on adding anything summer-related to your media centres, eg summer clothing, swimwear, bikinis, shorts, beachwear, sunglasses, plus things to keep you cool, like fans, sun hats and sun shades. Also, push anything to do with the outside, such as garden furniture, anything for a garden party, or a picnic or barbecue, and don’t forget to add all of the other spellings that people may search on eg BBQ, Bar-B-Que, etc and other related keywords like picnic.

The festival season is now in full-swing, and the media are all looking for festival wear and things to take to festivals (tents, fans, ice boxes, torches, etc). We’re also getting ready to go on holiday, so luggage, bags, bumbags, beach towels, etc are all being searched for.

Clothing keywords being searched for this summer include; denim, florals, crochet, midi-dresses, maxi-dresses, polo, preppy, tennis-core, cottage-core and festival wear.

But not everyone is going abroad. The cost-of-living crisis is still cutting-into everyone’s wallets, so shoppers are still looking at holidays closer to home. Add in keywords and phrases like “staycation”, “holistay”, “holiday at home” to your keywords and why not suggest clothing like raincoats, coats, hoodies, and cardigans? If you stock them, then firepits and chimineas for the colder UK evenings would be good to add.

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.

July Diary - Weeks/Months

July is Independent Retailer Month, Plastic-free Month, and National Ice Cream Month in the US.  

Weeks to celebrate this month include;

The Tour De France (5^th – 27^th)

July - Days

15^th – St Swithin’s Day

18^th - Nelson Mandela International Day

19^th-20^th - Northern Pride 

19^th – National Ice Cream Day (US Third sundae in July 😉) 

22^nd- 23^rd – Start of the school holidays 

24^th – National Tequila Day (US)

25^th – Christmas in July (5 months until Christmas)

27^th – Tour de France ends

27^th – National Parents Day (US 4^th Sunday in July)

29^th – National Lipstick Day

For more diary dates for this year see the Marketing Retail Diary

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).