Main Image: F&F

PRShots Roundup brings you the latest retail news from Barratts Shoes, Urban Outfitters, Halara, Tesco, On, Debenhams, Morrisons, Asos and John Lewis. Plus, Gap’s CEO on why you can’t drive revenue without relevance, 7 vanity metrics marketers should avoid, and 7 to replace them and more. 

THE LATEST RETAIL INDUSTRY NEWS

UK retail sales suffer largest monthly fall in 18 months

May saw a drop in retail sales volumes across the UK, making it the largest fall in nearly 18 months, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

Barratts Shoes makes online comeback over a decade after disappearing from high street

UK footwear retailer Barratts is making a return to retail, over a decade after collapsing into administration.

Over a third of Brits (38%) report rise in disposable income spending

Despite the cost-of-living crisis, UK consumers are still maintaining strong spending power, as 38%  reported spending more of their disposable income now than in the past year.

Poundland founder tried to buy the business back

The founder of Poundland Steve Smith said he tried to buy the discount chain back when it was put up for sale.

Morrisons boss hails ‘bounce back’ as interim sales and profits climb

Morrisons H1 to 27 Apr shows an underlying EBITDA of £344m up 7.2% year-on-year, boosted by Q2 sales up 4.2% to £3.9bn.

Asos under fire after shutting customer accounts over returns rule

Asos is facing a social media backlash after closing a number of customer accounts it says repeatedly violated its fair use policy.

John Lewis orders commercial teams office return to improve 'collaborative culture'

John Lewis has updated its hybrid working policy for some partners, ordering its commercial teams to return to in-person working three days per week.

TRENDS, SUSTAINABILITY, STRATEGY AND TECHNOLOGY

7 vanity metrics marketers should avoid, and 7 to replace them

Martech looks at vanity metrics, numbers that are easy to measure and look good on paper, but don’t show business outcomes or provide actionable insights and suggests some alternatives.

9 social video metrics you need to track in 2025

Social video metrics track the success of your video content. They can highlight opportunities and show you what’s working (and what isn’t). Hootsuite explains which metrics to watch.

Gap’s CEO on why you can’t drive revenue without relevance

Gap Inc CEO Richard Dickson believes the business has regained its relevance after “losing the plot” on performance marketing in the past.

Over half of marketers say campaigns ‘too focused’ on performance

While their businesses might be prioritising performance, most marketers claim brand advertising is key to achieving their objectives.

Luxury sector facing first major slowdown in 15 years

The luxury goods market is experiencing its first major slowdown in 15 years, hit hard by the uncertainty and turbulence it is experiencing for the first time since the 2008 global financial crisis.

Study shows AI agents struggle with CRM and confidentiality

A study found AI agents had a 58% success rate on simple tasks and a 35% success rate on multi-step ones.

BRAND NEWS

Halara plots UK expansion and pop-up experience

Chinese fast fashion athleisure brand Halara is expanding to the UK with a pop-up experience, app, and online platform.

Aldi must ‘change its business model’ after Thatchers court loss, says lawyer

Aldi will be forced to rethink its approach to own-brand products following a trademark defeat to cider maker Thatchers, a lawyer for the drinks brand has claimed.

Metrocentre signs Urban Outfitters for a summer opening

Urban Outfitters’ first new UK store of 2025 is about to land in the North East at the Metrocentre in Gateshead, it’s second store in the North East.

Tesco launches solar-powered chilled delivery fleet

Tesco has begun introducing Sunswap solar-powered refrigeration units to its delivery fleet as part of its efforts to cut carbon emissions across its operations.

On and FKA twigs launch first co-designed products

British singer FKA twigs is continuing her collaboration with premium sports band On and this month will see them launching their first collab capsule.

Debenhams names emerging designer Kitty Carr-Lake the 'future of fashion'

As part of Graduate Fashion Week 2025, Kitty Carr-Lake from the University of Leeds has been announced as the winner of the 2nd 'Designers at Debenhams Catwalk to Commercial' Award.

AND FINALLY x2

Cuthbert the Caterpillar goes couture in Aldi’s first nail design drop

According to Aldi, not only Baked Beans but also Cuthbert the Caterpillar are the perfect sources for summer fingernail designs.

Marketing mishaps and controversial ads

Although controversial campaigns are often hard to predict, some do make you wonder how, or why were they signed off. Marketing Beat presents some of the most recent ad ‘mistakes’.

PRSHOTS TOP 10 SEARCHES

What were our users searching for on PRShots Week ending June 13^th 2025?

1/ SS25

2/ AW25

3/ Men

4/ Summer

5/ Skirt

6/ Embroidered

7/ Swimwear

8/ Kitchen

9/ Candle  

10/ Bikini

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

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.

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.

BRANDS WITH NEW IMAGES

Clothing, beauty and accessories

Oliver Bonas has new clothing, jewellery and accessories drops for July, including bags, hats, shoes, sandals, scarves and sunglasses.

River Island has new Wimbledon whites ranges, new summer festival outfits and accessories, new Arm Candy beaded bag range, new Latin-American flavoured summer ranges of womenswear and menswear ranges, a new women’s wear collaboration with Latin-Australian brand Del Maar.

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

Roman Originals has new Petite and Curve 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.

Accessorize has new SS25 beachwear, bags, scarves and jewellery – including Z charms, a new Seville range of beachwear and clothing, new jewellery charm ranges, plus accessories including makeup sandals, bags, card holders.

Primark has new band t-shirts, womenswear, new Youth ranges, a new collaboration with Ashley Huish on summer wear, plus there’s beachwear for all the family including shorts, trunks, bikinis, swimsuits, trousers, tops, sandals and accessories.

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

Iolla has new sunglasses ranges for him and her.

F&F has new 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.

Monsoon has new 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 summer menswear and womenswear campaign imagery, plus new t-shirts, sandals, shoes, sunglasses, swimsuits and bikini ranges, Autograph underwear, and a suede-themed range of clothing.

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.

Fatface 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.

National Trust has a new collaboration with Craghoppers on outdoor AW25 clothing.

Curvy Kate has new Superhero ranges of bras, and new ranges of swimwear for the spring and summer, including swimming costumes and bikinis. 

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.

Fable England has new Alice’s Garden jewellery and accessories, new Forget Me Not jewellery for SS25, plus bag charms and jewellery based on the Beatrix Potter Peter Rabbit characters.

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

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.

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.

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

See additional new clothing and accessories images from

George at Asda TK Maxx Lipsy Bonmarché Joe Browns John Lewis Dune London  

Home, garden and food

Nest has new HKLiving furniture and rugs, 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.

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

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

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.

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.

Homesense has new Halloween items and new homewar plus new homeware for the kitchen, dining room and the conservator, 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.

Hobbycraft has new DIY decoration ideas for homes.

Arran Sense of Scotland has new refill packages, home fragrances, scented candles, After the Rain summer fragrance and a new mum and bride scent range.

National Trust has 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.

Dunelm has more of the 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.

George Home has new homeware and new Sanctuary and Subtle Opulence ranges of furniture and tableware for the outdoors.

Ruggable has new ranges of its machine-washable rugs for every room in the home from the brand and a number of collaborators.

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.

Oliver Bonas has 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.

See additional new home images from

The Gluttonous Gardener Home Bargains Online Home Shop Habitat Sofology TK Maxx Jan Constantine B&M Designers Guild John Lewis

DIARY

PRShots Retail Calendar Alerts

Days until School holidays start (23rd July) – 33

Days until School holidays ends (3rd Sept) – 75

Days until Halloween – 133

Days until Black Friday - 161

Days until Christmas Day – 188

How to get your brand in the media in June

Summer is here - and hopefully, the weather will improve – and the media will be starting to ramp up their summer holiday features. For fashion, add summer clothing, swimwear, beachwear, sandals, garden party outfits etc, plus any accessories, like suitcases, travel bags, travel accessories etc.

For home, push anything related to the outside, including garden furniture, anything for a garden party, a picnic, or a barbecue. Don’t forget to add all of the other spellings, such as BBQ, Bar-B-Que, etc. Also, add general keywords like beach, holiday, travel, and vacation.

We’re also at the start of the festival season, so upload any items related to festivals and make sure you add the keyword festival or Glastonbury or any of the other big festivals, Isle of Wight, British Summer Time, Boardmasters, Reading/Leeds, to your keyword lists. 

Also, look at any sports-related items, as this month sees the start of football’s Euro 2024 competition. Plus, look at anything tennis-related for Wimbledon, which is coming up in early July, and the Olympics, which start at the end of July.

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 promote your brand and products, see the list of days, weeks, and fortnights below.

June Diary - Weeks/Months

June is LGBTQ Pride Month, Men’s Health Month, National Smile Month (12^th May – 12^th Jun), Royal Ascot (17^th-21^st) and the Glastonbury festival (25^th-29^th).  

It’s also.

National Picnic Week (16^th-23^rd).

Wimbledon fortnight starts (30^th Jun – 13^th Jul)

June - Days

20^th – Take your dog to work Day 

21^st – Summer Solstice/Longest Day

21^st – King Charles III Official Birthday

21^st – International Yoga Day

22^nd – World Rainforest Day

22^nd – Windrush Day

24^th – Midsummer’s Day

25^th – 6 months until Christmas Day

25^th – First Day of Glastonbury Festival

27^th – Muharram/Islamic New Year

29^th – Wimbledon Searches Rise

29^th – Last Day of Glastonbury Festival 

29^th – First Day of Wimbledon 

30^th – International Asteroid 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).