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PRShots Roundup brings you the latest retail news from Next , Russell & Bromley, Wickes, Primark, B&M, The Works, Tesco, Joules, B&Q, Debenhams, Aldi and Lululemon. Plus, how AI agents shaped the record-breaking 2025 holiday season, how to turn social listening insights into business value and more.
THE LATEST RETAIL INDUSTRY NEWS
Next wins race for Russell & Bromley in pre-pack deal
Next has won the bidding race to take over the Russell & Bromley premium footwear business, ending almost a century-and-a-half of family ownership.
Wickes sees H2 volume-driven growth
In a trading update for H2 ending 27 Dec 2025 Wickes said Group revenue rose 6.3% year-on-year, taking full-year revenue to £1.64bn, up 5.9%.
ABF revises Primark Golden Quarter trading figures
ABF has revised its golden quarter revenue figures upwards with a rise of 4.2%, not 4%, and revenue reaching £3.502bn during the period.
B&M said it now expected full-year group adjusted EBITDA for its 2026 financial year to be between £440-475m, down from a previous guidance of £470-520m.
The Works losses narrow despite online capacity constraints
Losses at The Works narrowed and the retailer delivered ‘robust performance’ over Christmas, despite the ongoing online capacity constraints.
Morrisons records ‘resilient’ annual results as festive sales rise
Morrisons FY figures to 26 Oct show revenue up 3.2% to £15.8bn with underlying EBITDA maintained at £835m despite “significant and largely unexpected” external costs.
Retail subscriptions slide 3.5% as consumers demand flexibility
Retail and consumer goods subscriptions fell 3.5% year-on-year, making the sector the only major category in decline.
Retail parks focus gives British Land the edge in Q3
Retail landlord British Land’s Q3 trading update to 31 Dec shows their retail park format “continues to perform strongly”, with occupancy at 99% and footfall up 2.2% year on year.
BRC notes ‘hints of optimism’ as consumer confidence improves
The BRC has noted “hints of optimism” as consumer confidence improved for the second consecutive month.
TRENDS, SUSTAINABILITY, STRATEGY AND TECHNOLOGY
How AI agents shaped the record-breaking 2025 holiday season
Salesforce data shows where AI agents drove growth, conversion and efficiency during the holidays and what marketers should do next.
How to turn social listening insights into business value
Learn how to use social listening to monitor social media channels for mentions of your brand and competitors and put those insights to work.
How brands are approaching budget, skills, and strategy in 2026
From AI to squeezed margins, ecommerce experts talk about the ‘elephant in the room’, which skills will be most in demand, and where efforts should be focused in 2026.
How to create a social media report
Learn how to create a social media report that proves ROI, tracks performance, and wins stakeholder buy-in — plus a free reporting template.
The best AI-assisted content writing tools in 2026
PracticalEcommerce looks at how modern AI-assisted writing aids save time, polish prose, and even overcome disadvantages such as dyslexia.
12 social media sentiment analysis tools for 2026
Hootsuite looks at social media sentiment analysis tools to help you find out what your audience really thinks of you and how you can improve.
Why you should overlook older shoppers at your peril
Marketing and advertising is perennially aimed at the younger end of the population while the older grouping is all too often ignored.
One in three e-commerce brands now use AI agents to drive shopping
One in three ecommerce brands (33%) has already deployed AI-powered shopping agents, signalling a fundamental shift in how consumers interact with online retail.
Tesco to trial new technology to curb rise in retail crime
Tesco is set to launch a trial of a new crime reporting platform next week, in a bid to deter shoplifters and keep colleagues and customers safe.
BRAND NEWS
Joules plots store expansion drive as it returns to profit
Joules is planning to expand its UK store estate and return to Ireland this year as it remains “on track” to deliver its first profit since 2022.
B&Q opening first standalone TradePoint store
DIY and homeware retailer B&Q is set to launch a new trade-exclusive store format for its TradePoint brand, with the first standalone site set to open in Barking in March.
Debenhams links with Seel to boost global shopping ease
Debenhams Group has struck a deal with major agentic post-purchase platform Seel to “roll out Worry-Free Purchase across its portfolio in the US, Europe, Canada and Australia”.
Aldi confirms the installation of a further 50 InPost lockers
Aldi has confirmed the installation of a further 50 InPost Lockers across its UK store estate this week bringing the total to 650 across the UK.
‘House of SportsShoes’ to open flagship store in early March
Online running shoes and apparel retailer Sportshoes.com is set to open a flagship store called ‘House of SportsShoes’ in Shoreditch, London, during March this year.
AND FINALLY x2
Lululemon founder slams board after see-through leggings fiasco
Lululemon founder Chip Wilson lashed out over the company’s latest product flop, calling it a “total operational failure” that he blamed on the company’s board of directors.
The Body Shop revives Dewberry its iconic ’90s scent
A beloved ’90s classic is making a comeback, as The Body Shop announces the return of its iconic Dewberry scent, now "reimagined for a new generation".
WANT TO GET YOUR IMAGERY IN FRONT OF OVER 20,000 MEDIA?
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PRSHOTS TOP 10 SEARCHES
What were our users searching for on PRShots Week ending Jan 16th 2026?
1/ SS26
2/ Valentine
3/ AW25
4/ Lamp
5/ Cushion
6/ Blue
7/ Living Room
8/ Bedroom
9/ Bathroom
10/ Jacket
PRSHOTS DIARY
PRShots Retail Calendar Alerts
Days until Winter Olympics Milano Cortina - 15
Days until Valentine’s Day – 23
Days until Winter Paralympics Milano Cortina - 43
Days until Mother’s Day – 52
Days until Easter – 73
January Diary
How to make your products and brand attractive to the media in January
Our January 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.
January is all about fitness and health and getting back on track after a Christmas and New Year holiday break. So, clothes-wise it’s all about clothing for the gym and exercise, so make sure if you have anything relevant that it’s flagged up with keywords like fit, exercise and gym.
The monthlies are also starting to prepare for Valentine’s Day next month, so get any relevant clothes, accessories and gifts uploaded and keyword them with valentine. They’re also looking forward to next season so make sure anything SS26 is flagged on your drops.
Plus, as we’re still mid-winter there will still be searches for anything cosy, so pyjamas, slippers, coats, hygge, winter warmers, knitwear, scarves and everything warm.
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.
It’s also the Winter Olympics in Milan this year (Olympics Feb 6th -22nd and the Paralympics Mar 6th -15th), so anything Olympic sport-related should get an extra push this month.
January Diary - Weeks/Months
January is also Veganuary (in 2024 over 1.8m people worldwide attempted to adopt a vegan lifestyle!) and it’s also Dry January so it’s a good idea to make sure you have vegan-friendly products and non-alcoholic products labelled on your media centre, plus anything that’s healthy that fits in with resetting your life.
If you sell gin and anything gin-related then it’s also Ginuary! It’s also Walk Your Dog Month, so anything dog-related would be good.
Other events include
The Furniture Show NEC Birmingham (18th– 21st)
Cervical Cancer Prevention Week (19th – 25th)
Diary - Days
25th – Burns Night
25th - Dydd Santes Dwynwen (St Dwynwen's Day)
26th – Australia Day
26th – Indian Republic Day
27th – Chocolate Cake Day (US)
27th – Holocaust Memorial Day (US)
28th – Data Privacy Day
29th – Valentine’s Day searches rise
31st – Tax return payments are due today
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 2026 by the authorities controlling the event(s).
WANT TO GET YOUR IMAGERY IN FRONT OF OVER 20,000 MEDIA?
If you’re a brand looking to get your imagery on PRShots then get in touch with our sales team at sales@prshots.com We have solutions and pricing for all sizes and types of business from small startups to large multi-nationals.
NEW BRANDS ON PRSHOTS
Industrious Decor is more than furniture. It’s a world of intentional design — where form meets feeling, and materials tell a story. Each collection — ID Country, ID Loft, ID Earth craft, ID Gentleman’s Club, and ID Expression — embodies a distinct aesthetic, yet all share the same foundation: timeless design, refined detailing, and an appreciation for craftsmanship.
BRANDS WITH NEW IMAGES
Clothing, beauty and accessories
Salts Cashmere has new SS26 designs for him and her.
Inspecs has new sunglasses from Radley and Barbour and SS26 ranges.
Curvy Kate has new swimwear for SS26 including Siren Seas, Deep Dive, Jet Set, Ibiza, Beach Bliss and Hollyday ranges.
Matalan has new kidswear for World Book Day, clothing ranges for Valentine’s Day, Souluxe pastel and print activewear for the new year and January transitional ranges, and a new nightwear collaboration with Little Mistress Vicky Pattison.
Very has a new kids January drop, Traitors-inspired fashion, a new Transitional Very Collection, new Valentine’s related clothing, Winter footwear, a Rebellious Romance clothing line for Valentines, a new Michelle Keegan collaboration, a new Very collection and new Winter layering ranges.
Primark has new Major Finds womenswear range, a new Edit range of womenswear, new American NFL strips, plus new athleisure wear for the spring for men and women, plus new cosmetics ranges.
Accessorize has new SS26 womenswear, bags and jewellery, plus new Valentine's Day and & bridal accessories.
Oliver Bonas has March, February and Valentine’s Day ranges of clothing, bags, jewellery and accessories.
River Island has new Love is in the Air ranges and a To Have and Hold wedding range of womenswear and accessories, SS26 lookbook images and cut-outs of clothing, bags and accessories, plus a new collaboration with Real Hackney Dave.
Fatface has new SS26 womenswear including jeans, dresses, jumpers, tops, jackets, bags and more.
Barbour has a new collaboration with Feng Chen Wang, new jumpers and bags for the New Year and has new collaborations with Ganni, Baracuta, Sorel, Levi’s, Arket, Paul Smith and Farm Rio.
Monsoon has new Bridal ranges, new Jan and Feb drops, new clothing ranges for SS26, new going out bags, shoes and jewellery, a new collaboration with Sarah Corbett-Winder and AW25 clothing, jewellery and accessories.
Deichmann has SS26 shoes and trainers, a new Bridgerton collaboration of shoes, bags and accessories.
TK Maxx has new Valentine's themed clothing ranges.
Roman Originals has new tops, trousers, skirts, coats and dresses ranges, new AW25 Dusk, Curve and Petite ranges for parties and going out, including coats, jackets, dresses and trousers.
Bonmarché has new Dash ranges and Lorraine Kelly Spring 2026 ranges.
Threadbare has new suite dreams pyjamas and nightwear ranges.
New Look has new season outfits and accessories and drops of AW25 ranges including clothes, bags, shoes, boots and accessories.
Cotton Traders has new SS26 women’s and menswear available in January including a new SS26 menswear collaboration with actor Will Mellor and a womenswear collaboration with Alex Jones.
Peacocks has new ranges for men and women modelled by Louise Redknapp, Dani Dyer and Michael Owen.
Scamp & Dude has new outerwear ranges and ‘Swag Bags with Purpose’ gift ranges for Valentine’s Day.
F&F has its new spring womenswear ranges of clothes, including jackets, coats, dresses and lingerie.
Lola Starr has a new Earth Collection of activewear for the new year new you health kick.
See additional new clothing and accessories images from
Home, garden and food
Habitat has new homeware for the bedroom from beds to soft furnishings, plus gifts and things for Valentine’s Day and new Joy of Play, Riviera and Verde Luxe ranges of furniture, homeware and soft furnishings for SS26.
Cambridge Imprint has new Valentine’s Day and Easter decorations, new albums, notebooks, cards and patterned paper for SS26 including its Alhambra, Windmill and Songbird ranges.
Matalan has new spring and Easter presents and decorations and Valentine’s Day themed soft furnishings and bedding for the home, plus new Hello Spring ranges of homeware, and a new SS26 range of home furniture and soft furnishings.
Very has new Very collection of furniture, wall art and storage solutions, new beauty and wellness tech, new SS26 homeware including garden furniture, a new Michelle Keegan range of furniture and a Zen Minimalism, Revive Very Home range of items for the home, dining room, lounge and kitchen.
B&M has a Baby Event of toddler and baby accessories, plus Valentines gifts for him and her.
Designers Guild has new Palette Provencale SS26 range of materials for the home.
Hobbycraft has new crafting supplies, Easter wreath ideas as well as Valentine gifts and ideas for adult crafters, children and teens.
Homesense has gifts for Valentine’s Day new ranges of soft furnishings and things for the lounge, kitchen and dining room.
The Orchard has its tabletop range of fire pits in five different colours.
Ruggable has new ranges of doormat including Valentines themes, plus all sizes of rugs for inside and out for SS26 including the Kindred Cottage, Eclectic Boho and Serene Neutrals range.
TK Maxx has new gifts for him and her for Valentines.
Quorn Stone has new natural stone, and marble and stone effect ranges, new terracotta decorative tiles, natural stone range, marble and decorative effect tiles.
Primark has new Lowkey Athluxe homeware, Valentine’s Day themed homeware and travel accessories for the spring summer holidays.
Dobbies Garden Centres has Easter gifts and decorations, Mother’s Day gifts, a collaboration with the RHS, Valentine’s gifts, plus outside dining tables, chairs, lighting and accessories, plus Winter gardening.
Arran Sense of Scotland has new Sannox Lifestyle men’s fragrance gift packs ahead of Father’s Day.
Home Bargains has new Hinch interior ranges, new Easter soft furnishings, Mother’s Day gifts, Valentine’s gifts, Desert Dusk and Coastal Retreat ranges plus active fitness equipment for the New Year healthy you campaign.
Oriana B has furniture for the home including mirrors, display cabinets, armchairs, lamps and sideboards.
Oliver Bonas has new February and January homeware for the dining room, living room and bedroom, plus Valentine’s gifts.
M&S has new homeware ranges for the spring and summer.
Jellycat has new ranges of its soft toys and amuseables bags ready for Valentine’s Day, plus new ranges of soft toys and amuseables.
Sofology has new Georgio, Adler, Mayfair, Remy, Portbello, Fitzrovia and Waldorf ranges of sofas and chairs for your living room.
Furniture Village has its SS26 lineup of sofas, tables, chairs, beds, mirrors and shelving.
See additional new home images from
Dunelm Nest Cult Furniture Online Home Shop Cambridge Imprint Accessorize Homesense
WANT TO GET YOUR IMAGERY IN FRONT OF OVER 20,000 MEDIA?
If you’re a brand looking to get your imagery on PRShots then get in touch with our sales team at sales@prshots.com We have solutions and pricing for all sizes and types of business from small startups to large multi-nationals, with prices starting at just £50 a month.
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