Main Image:  Fatface

PRShots Digest brings you the latest retail news from Hotel Chocolat, Frasers Group, Selfridges, Ryman, Domino’s, HanesBrands, Sweaty Betty and John Lewis. Plus, articles on planning for the end of 3^rd party cookies, using LinkedIn to create brand personas, how to integrate Threads into your content marketing and more.  

THE LATEST RETAIL INDUSTRY NEWS

Wilko launches huge ‘administration sale’ in stores

Talks are still underway to try to sell some or all of Wilko but in the meantime, Wilko has launched an administration sale with discounts on thousands of products in store.

​John Lewis boss plans buy now, pay later service

John Lewis Partnership’s chief executive is planning to roll out a buy now, pay later service for its customers as they become increasingly affected by the cost-of-living crisis.

Amazon postpones payment time rule change for some sellers

Amazon will phase in its new payment time terms following a backlash from sellers that the move could put them out of business.

London retail spend hit by tourist tax

The New West End Company data shows spending by tourists from the Gulf states was down 17% in the quarter to June and down 1% from US visitors compared to 2019.

HanesBrands lowers FY sales outlook

HanesBrands saw a 4.9% fall in sales to $1.44bn in Q2 ending July 1 and made a loss $22m down from a profit of $93m in 2022, and as a result has lowered its full-year sales outlook to $5.8-5.9bn.

Buy Now Pay Later usage continues to increase

Buy Now Pay Later services accounted for 15.35% of total monthly online spend, with £1.35bn spent in June, and a 2023 high of £1.5bn in July taking the total spend to £8.8bn in 2023.

China allows group tours to UK

China has lifted the covid ban on group tours to the UK, which should bring back some revenue to UK luxury retailers, but it is unlikely to return to the pre-pandemic heyday immediately.

TRENDS, STRATEGY AND TECHNOLOGY

What can retailers learn from Aldi’s supply chain strategy?

Retail Week dives into Aldi’s latest investments and central priorities as it looks to become a £135bn company.

Oxford Street, what’s wrong and how to fix it

Oxford Street, the UK’s most famous shopping street, has been in the headlines for the wrong reasons again after an attempted crime spree caused chaos last week.

The beginners guide to sales automation

Hootsuite teaches you how to use sales automation to complete manual tasks, save your team time and boost sales.

How to plan for the end of third-party cookies

There’s just one year left before Google starts phasing out third-party cookies. But what’s next? Do brands really know what to expect and, more importantly, are they ready for it?

How to use LinkedIn profiles to create brand personas

LinkedIn profiles provide a wealth of details to inform helpful personas and create more effective content marketing.

4 ways to weave Threads into your content marketing

While we’re all in the early stages of figuring out what sinks or swims on the new Threads platform, it’s important to keep a positive outlook and to do it now rather than later.

The comprehensive guide to the digital customer experience

Most business leaders know how important it is to deliver a high-quality customer experience, but that can look a little different when your company operates digitally.

What went wrong at Wilko?

Wilko formally collapsed into administration, putting 12,000 jobs at risk. Retail Gazette looks at what went wrong for the value retailer and whether it can be rescued.

Why you don’t need big Barbie budgets to get Barbie results

PRmoment asks PRs what brands can learn about achieving maximum exposure even in present times, when money is tight.

The key factors for consumer trust

PRMoment reveals the five main areas brands should focus on to build consumer trust; reliability, responsibility, authenticity, clarity and consistency.

How to get more traction from your blog

Explore how optimising your blog posting schedule can lead to better SEO and audience engagement.

PEOPLE, MOVERS AND SHAKERS

Wolverine Worldwide appoints new chief executive

Sweaty Betty owner Wolverine Worldwide has promoted Christopher Hufnagel to the position of president and chief executive of the business.

BRAND NEWS

Hotel Chocolat to open newest concept store in Leeds

Hotel Chocolat is to open its latest out-of-town concept store at The Springs Leeds. The store will include a 48 seat Velvetiser Café as well as stocking the normal range of chocolates.

Frasers Group to turn Meadowhall’s ex-Debenhams into Sports Direct and Frasers flagships

Frasers Group is to open new flagship stores for Sports Direct and Frasers at Sheffield’s Meadowhall in the former 120,000 sqft Debenhams unit.

Selfridges to make staff cuts in ‘efficiency restructure’

Selfridges managing director Andrew Keith has unveiled plans to make staff cuts across some of its shops and head office under an “efficiency restructure”.

Frasers Group upsizes in Teesside Park

Frasers Group has signed two leases at Teesside Park, totalling 60,000 sqft and will use it to upsize its Sports Direct store and will move in a Flannels Store into the centre, with opening late 2024.

Ryman launches loyalty rewards scheme

Ryman has launched its new Ryman Rewards loyalty scheme offering lower prices, reward points,  personalised products and prize draws.

AND FINALLY x2

Domino’s launches summer fashion collection

Domino’s has launched a limited ‘Garlic&Herb’ capsule clothing collection inspired by its namesake dip, and fronted by Made in Chelsea and Love Island’s Sam Thompson and Zara McDermott.

The world’s most valuable trainers

Trainer marketplace Listed has compiled the top ten most valuable training shoes with the top ten worth almost £1.2m collectively.

PRSHOTS TOP 10 SEARCHES

What were our users searching for on PRShots Week ending August 11^th 2023?

1/ AW23

2/ Christmas

3/ Bikini

4/ Swimwear

5/ Beach

6/ Halloween

7/ Kitchen

8/ Cushion

9/ Floral  

10/ Candle

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

Fable England produces bags, accessories and delicate hand-painted jewellery with each piece made with positivity and kindness to uplift the human spirit and to bring joy to their owners.

Neem London produces sustainable, stylish and classic menswear pieces with low emissions, and according to the Guardian is “a label to consider for your wardrobe staples.”

Rebecca Rhoades is a successful and well-acknowledged Leeds-based womenswear designer who specialises in slow fashion featuring beautiful designs that are well known across the globe with influence in the UK, UAE, AU & EU.

Amelia Scott is a new London-based accessories brand created by Jane Hebden, an award-winning watch and jewellery designer. The jewellery range celebrates individuality and embraces the wonderful world of colour.

Lola Starr ranges are designed with the environment and functionality in mind. They source only the highest quality recyclable materials designed to be recycled, recreated and remoulded again and again. They are a British brand that champions local expertise and keeps the carbon footprint to its lowest level.

Arran Sense of Scotland puts quality and fragrance first, so you can be sure that each of their Bath, Body & Home products have been expertly crafted and manufactured with the greatest care on the Island home of Arran.

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

Fatface has new AW23 womens, mens, and kids clothing ranges plus shoes, jewellery, bags and accessory ranges.

Monsoon has Christmas gifts, new back-to-school kids clothing ranges, plus AW23 womenswear, bags, scarves, dresses, kaftans, jackets and jumpers, accessories and jewellery.

Curvy Kate has new Non-Stop, Balcony, Peep Show and plunge ranges.

Dune London Mens has new AW boots and shoe collections.

New Look has further August drops of womenswear including jumpers, coats, footwear, bags and jewellery.

Matalan has new AW23 womenswear ranges, jewellery ranges, back-to-school ranges, plus pink and Barbie ranges and summer accessories and a new 20 outfits for £20 or less online range.

Barbour has new winter coats plus autumn dresses, coats, bags, gloves and scarves plus gift ranges for Christmas and back-to-school ranges.

Accessorize has new bags, purses, cardholders, belts, accessories and jewellery ranges.

Joe Browns has new AW23 Autumn Elegance, Charmed Life and Day Dreamer clothing including cardigans, coats, dresses, blouses, trousers plus new footwear ranges.

PrettyLittleThing has a new Ami Charlize and La La Anthony edits.

Roman Originals has new autumn clothes ranges.

Dune London has new shoes and bags for going out, and new ankle and cowboy boots, sandals, trainers, shoes and luggage.

Bonmarché  has new womenswear ranges for AW23.

Primark has a new AW23 clothes for men with the KEM range, women and kids, plus shoes and bags, as well as makeup, new Click and Collect Exclusives, Flexi Formal range plus the Edit AW23 range, monogram bag ranges, back-to-school ranges.

Oliver Bonas has new clothing and jewellery drops for November, as well as jewellery boxes, accessories, footwear and jewellery ranges.

Radley has new bag and shoe ranges for releases in August/September/October AW23 and a 25^th anniversary special.

Shoe Zone has new boots and shoes for the autumn and winter.

Peacocks has new back to school ranges.

Threadbare has more summer clothing with a RHS collaboration, cool womenswear and menswear in its Urban Renaissance and Luxe ranges.

Regatta has new kids AW23 and back to school jackets - including the Beamz insulated jacket – bags, torches and new womenswear winter ranges.

Very  has new V by Very and Fig & Basil womenswear ranges for going out, staying in and for the beach plus womenswear from the Everyday range.

Cardfactory has back to school backpacks

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

Deichmann UK George at Asda Scamp & Dude National Trust shop TK Maxx Tu Clothing From my mother’s garden Aspiga Cotton Traders River Island Lipsy Teva Daisy Park

Home, garden and food

Homesense has new Christmas decorations and gifts, plus AW23 homeware for the bedroom, lounge, kitchen and bathroom and Halloween decorations as well as gifting ranges.

Cuckooland has the Woody outdoor pizza oven, and an innovative 2-person roof-mounted tent.

Dunelm has new back to university student homeware starter packs, autumn Halloween homewares, sewing , Disney, Harry Potter and Winnie the Pooh home and gift, pets, and furniture ranges, and collaborations with Star Wars, the Natural History Museum and Christmas decorations.

Oliver Bonas has new homeware, household gifts and accessories as well as furniture for the bedroom and the lounge and decorations for the tree.

Hobbycraft has made and DIY Christmas decorations.

TK Maxx has new Christmas gift and AW23 home ranges.

B&M has new ranges for the kitchen, bathroom and bedroom plus autumn, Halloween and Christmas decorations and homeware.

Biscuiteers Baking has a Natural History museum collaboration, and new goodies for Christmas from gifts to edible decorations.

Cartwright & Butler has new Christmas hamper ranges.

Hotel Chocolat has new summer gifting chocolate collections including vegan collections and liqueurs.

Cambridge Imprint  has new envelope and paper ranges.

Cult Furniture has new Urban Loft home ranges and dining and office chairs, cushions, and new furniture and lamps.

Next has new homeware and Christmas gifts and decorations and new Natural Rustic furniture ranges plus new bedding and homeware ranges and Halloween homeware.

Cutter & Squidge has Christmas hamper and Christmas food ranges.

Dobbies Garden Centres has new Christmas wreaths, and Christmas gifts and decorations, plus house plant and outdoor living collections.

Primark Home has click and collect exclusives, new AW23 home ranges for kids and adults bedrooms, as well as the kitchen and dining room.

The Range has new Halloween decorations and gift collections.

See additional new home images from the last weeks from

Very National Trust shop Matalan George Home Marks & Spencer Sofology Wilko Tweedmill Ivyline Imp & Maker Furniture Village  Daisy Park Designers Guild

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

PRShots Retail Calendar Alerts 

Days until Halloween – 78

Days until Singles Day – 89

Days until Black Friday – 102

Days until Christmas Day – 133

Days until Valentine’s Day - 184

How to make your products attractive to the media in August    

Summer is in full-swing and hopefully the weather will improve – ie stop raining in the north and stop being so damn hot in the south. So, there are just a few weeks left to boost your summer-related images before the AW23 images fully kick in.

Plus tag anything relevant with summer/high-summer, and push anything to do with the outside; garden furniture, anything for a garden party, or a picnic or barbecue. Plus, don’t forget to add all of the other spellings BBQ, Bar-B-Que etc and other related keywords like picnics, garden party, garden parties etc and if you have them then firepits and chimineas for the colder UK evenings would be good.

It's also a good time to start uploading your AW23 images. So jumpers, scarves, coats, boots along with raincoats, hoodies, and cardigans will all start to be searched for by the media.

It's also not too early to be thinking about back-to-school items - Scottish schools start again end of August – and university students will be getting ready to sort out their wardrobes and rooms so add fresher(s) and university as keywords to anything relevant.

It’s also still time to add Halloween ideas and Christmas gifts if you have them. 

August Diary - Weeks/Months

Music festivals are still on, so add any festival wear and camping-related things you have and keyword them with festival, particularly in the weeks running up to the August bank holiday weekend with Reading/Leeds festivals 25-27^th August. 

The 24^th marks 3 months until the Black Friday/Cyber Monday (24-27^th Nov) weekend so start preparing for those sales now.

Weeks to celebrate this month include; the Edinburgh Festival (5-28^th August)

August - Days

15^th – VJ (Victory over Japan) Day

16^th – National Rum Day

17^th – UK Cupcake Day

18^th – National Grooming Day

20^th – World Honey Bee Day

21^st – World Senior Citizens Day

23^rd - International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition 

24^th – 3 Months until Black Friday

24^th – National Burger Day

25^th – National Second-hand Wardrobe Day

25^th – Christmas in August (4 months until Christmas Day)

26-28^th – Notting Hill Carnival

26^th - Women's Equality Day

28^th – August Bank Holiday

28^th – National Red Wine Day

30^th - Raksha Bandhan

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!!!

Bookmark our PRShots news section https://www.prshots.com/pressnews and keep up to date with the PRShots daily guide to some of the latest news and trends in the retail, home and marketing sectors.