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The latest retail news from eBay, Whistles, Hobbs, Marimekko, Boots, John Lewis, M&S, Mulberry, Flannels, Lyle & Scott, Celtic & Co and articles on how Google search update will affect SEO, hiring virtual influencers, how Trinny London went digital-first and more.

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

THE LATEST RETAIL INDUSTRY NEWS

eBay’s partnership with Love Island has driven strong interest in buying pre-owned clothing

The partnership between Love Island and eBay seems to have increased interest in buying pre-owned clothing with listings of second-hand clothing on eBay growing by more than 1,000%.

Whistles and Hobbs recover after the pandemic as social events resume

Whistles, Hobbs and Phase Eight owner TFG results for the year see a covid bounce back with revenues up to £310m from £192.6m, and EBITDA of £37.3m up from a loss of £13.1m a year earlier.

Marimekko's Q2 sales increase by 16%

Q2 net sales at Marimekko grew by 16% to €38m boosted in particular by increased retail sales in Finland and internationally.

Boots and Deliveroo expand partnership to 125 stores

Boots and Deliveroo has expanded their partnership from the 14 original trial stores to 125 stores around the UK with deliveries of beauty, skincare, fragrance, toiletries, food and drink products.

UK parents turning to second-hand school items amid cost-of-living crisis

Over four million UK households say they are more likely to seek out second-hand school items this year to deal with the rising cost of living crisis.

John Lewis seeks to reward fashion recycling consumers

John Lewis Partnership is developing its sustainable FashionCycle scheme which now looks to reward customers who donate five or more clothing items, which will either be resold or recycled.

Revolution Beauty to suspend stock trading on accounting concerns

Trading in Revolution Beauty Group shares will be suspended from Sept. 1 as the beauty products maker does not expect to release its 2022 results and auditors flagged accounting issues.

TRENDS, STRATEGY AND TECHNOLOGY

How Google’s SEO update will affect marketers and content creators

Google’s new ‘helpful content update’ is set to affect marketers and their use of SEO to gain traffic.

Is now the time to hire a virtual influencer?

Virtual influencers had faded from fashion campaigns, but now amid all the metaverse hype they’re popping up again, with brands turning to virtual rather than real faces.

How Trinny London has grown with a ‘tech-first’ beauty business

Trinny London first launched in 2017 and is now one of Europe’s fastest-growing beauty brands, focusing on its DTC e-commerce model and a highly effective email and social media strategy.

Does Gen Z pose a problem for the luxury industry?

The luxury sector is fretting over the appetite among financially stretched Gen Z consumers in China, US and Europe over "aspirational" purchases they will struggle to afford.

Why the returns on TikTok Ads don’t yet match the hype

Despite TikTok’s booming popularity and lower cost compared to Instagram, brands and experts say the return on ad spend doesn’t yet match more-established platforms.

How to build a luxury brand post-lockdown and amid inflation?

Starting a luxury fashion brand isn’t easy. The market is very saturated and there’s an economic slowdown, and inflation however people are still spending money and jobs are still being added.

Square partners with Clearpay on BNPL feature

Screwfix to replace physical catalogues with digital screens

Screwfix has announced it is stopping printing physical copies of its catalogue and replacing them with digital screens in-store.

PEOPLE, MOVERS AND SHAKERS

M&S shakes up womenswear with new hires

M&S has hired ex-Topshop and The White Company director Emma Fox as head of womenswear buying and Annie Dore (ex-New Look) as a business lead for womenswear, footwear, accessories

Mulberry chairman to step down

Mulberry non-executive chairman Godfrey Davis is to step down from the brand’s board next month and will be succeeded as chairman by Mulberry non-executive director Chris Roberts.

Senior director exits Made

Gwyn Burr a senior independent director at Made.com has left the retailer with immediate effect so that she could “give focus to her other professional commitments at this time”.

BRAND NEWS

Flannels announces new flagship store locations

Frasers Group has announced Leeds, Cardiff and Gateshead’s Metrocentre as the next locations for new Flannels flagship stores.

Lyle & Scott announces footwear licensing agreement with UFG

Lyle & Scott has a new strategic licensing partnership with Dutch company Unlimited Footwear Group (UFG) to design, produce and distribute Lyle & Scott footwear collections.

Celtic & Co. open concessions in John Lewis

Sustainable Cornish fashion brand Celtic & Co. has opened concessions in two John Lewis stores in London and Cambridge to reach new customers.

AND FINALLY x2

Fortnum & Mason ‘ramps up’ sustainability drive with refillable biscuit tins

In a bid to make the business more sustainable, Fortnum & Mason is letting shoppers hold onto its iconic tins so they can be refilled instead of buying new ones.

Tesco ‘seeking alternatives’ as some fruit not suitable for vegans

Tesco has said it is “seeking alternatives” after fruit (orange, limes lemons) was found to have the application of post-harvest beeswax to the peels making them unsuitable for vegans.

PRSHOTS TOP 10 SEARCHES

What were our users searching for on PRShots week-ending Aug 19^th 2022?

1/ AW22

2/ Christmas  

3/ Halloween  

4/ Back to school

5/ Kitchen

6/ Storage

7/ Pink

8/ Metallic

9/ Pyjamas   

10/ Sweater

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

Bridge Coffee Roasters launched Bridge in 1985 by sourcing and providing the very best coffee from around the world, and since then Bridge Coffee Roasters has bloomed into roasting and selling coffee, coffee machines and accessories

Swealthy is a Midlands-based home décor and interior design company selling the finest quality homeware, gifts, furniture, art, coffee table books, lighting and so much more and making it available to all through 'attainable opulence.'

Wild Clouds started because they wanted more from their clothing. More sustainability, more longevity, more versatility, more comfort, and they wanted them to be affordable. They’re committed to slow fashion, making seasonless clothing locally in London, using the most sustainable materials they can find.

Threadbare is a proud family-owned British brand bringing great quality up-to-date fashion trends for men, women, children and dogs at affordable prices. Elevated, everyday, essentials

Ivyline creates contemporary accessories for the home and garden. Founded in 1976 the UK team works on everything from initial design to eventual dispatch. Its ethical product range comprises everything from fire pits and candles to planters, plant pots and everything in between.

Sarvin is a Persian-influenced brand, delivering ethically conscious womenswear with distinctive, high-quality garments handpicked from the finest fabrics and materials designed with the majority of the clothes made in the UK.

Teva produced the original sport sandal on the shores of the Grand Canyon back in 1984. Born out of necessity to prevent sandals from floating downstream, a resourceful river guide strapped two Velcro watchbands to a pair of old flip-flops. And just like that, Teva was born.

Cutter & Squidge is a family-run, all-natural bakery created by two food-obsessed sisters. Playfulness is their passion, they love to create exciting, experimental flavours and artisan designs. Their bakes and gifts are lovingly handcrafted to taste delicious and look exquisite on any occasion.

Peacocks was founded by Albert Frank Peacock in Warrington, in 1884 with the principle of value for money and that still holds today with its good value clothing ranges for men, women and children. The latest Weekend range features brand ambassador Louise Redknapp.

Bonmarché returns to PRShots with its Spring Summer 2022 range if women’s clothing. The range features long, midi and short dresses as well as jackets, swimsuits, shirts and t-shirts

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

New Look has new neon women’s ranges and Christmas jumpers

Monsoon  has new dresses made from sustainable cotton and elevated knitwear

M&Co  has new September and October AW22 drops for men, women and kids and Christmas gifts and clothing

Dune London has new accessories shoes and boots for the autumn and 30th anniversary range

Freemans has new August drops, Julien Macdonald and Aniston womenswear ranges

Pink House Mustique has new beachwear and menswear

River Island has new AW22 kids, womens and mens lines

Matalan has new a Denim Fits range and Halloween outfits

Office has new womens party shoes for AW22

Barbour has new items for cosy autumn and winter walks

Very has new V by Very ranges

Primark has a new accessories and makeup, a Keith Haring collaboration, a Mickey Mouse collaboration and new bag and shoe collections and maternity outfits

Sonder Studio has new AW22 ranges

Fatface has new clothes for women and kids plus pet accessories

Lipsy has new AW22 outfits

Regatta has outdoor outfits for kids and adults

John Lewis has new clothing and accessories

George at Asda has new womenswear ranges

Barbour has Women’s ranges and back to school outfits

TU Clothing has going out ranges

Roman Originals has more new SS22 outfits

NoLoGo has new womens ranges

See more new clothing and accessories images from the last two weeks from

The Morphbag  Shoe Zone River Island Joe Browns PrettyLittleThing  Aspiga Feel Unique National Trust Shop F&F Dancing Leopard Office  

Home and food

Next has its Christmas home ranges. new furniture and Lucy Tiffney ranges

National Trust Shop has AW22 gifts

Daisy Park has new Christmas decorations

Matalan has Christmas gifts and decorations

Freemans has new home items including gifts and Julien Macdonald furniture ranges

Primark Home has new Autumn and Halloween decorations

Cult Furniture  has new furniture ranges

Homesense has new Halloween decorations for the home

Paperchase has added its Christmas Cosmic Wonder stationery and gift ranges

Biscuiteers Baking has biscuits inspired by nursery rhymes and Christmas food

Cuckooland has new home ranges

The Range has its Halloween and Christmas ranges available

M&Co  has home accessories and Christmas home ranges

Abstract House has new designs

Dobbies Garden Centres has new home goods, pet accessories, Christmas decorations and gifts

Wilko has festive decorations Christmas and Halloween, and AW22 home 

Regatta has garden, picnic and BBQ items

John Lewis has new Christmas Winter Fayre ranges of decorations, gifts and furniture

Fritz Fryer has new lighting

B&M has new Christmas and homeware ranges

Furniture Village has new Christmas imagery and desks for the home

NoLoGo has Christmas table accessories

See more new home images from the last two weeks from

Dunelm George Home Dune London Cartwright & Butler Cambridge Imprint

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 Halloween – 70

Days Until Black Friday - 95

Days Until Christmas Day – 125

August

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 add anything summery including summer clothing, swimwear, and push anything to do with the outside; garden furniture, anything for a garden party, or a picnic or barbecue, and 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. 

As we’re now all able to travel again there’s still plenty of scope to add summer beach and holiday wear and accessories for the beach and picnics. However, we’re not all lucky enough to go abroad so we suggest you still add keywords and phrases like “staycation” “holistay” “holiday at home” to your keywords and why not suggest clothing like raincoats, coats, hoodies, and cardigans and if you have them then firepits and chimineas for the colder UK evenings would be good.

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 as a keyword.  

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

August Diary - Weeks/Months

Music festivals are back again, so add any festival wear you have, particularly around the August bank holiday weekend with Reading/Leeds festivals 26-29^th August. 

The 17^th marks 100 days until the Black Friday/Cyber Monday (25-28^th Nov) weekend so start preparing for those sales now.

Weeks to celebrate this month include; World Breastfeeding week (1-7^th August) the Edinburgh Festival (5-28^th August)

August - Days

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

25^th – National Secondhand Wardrobe Day

25^th – National Burger Day

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

26^th - Women's Equality Day

28^th – National Red Wine Day

27-29^th – Notting Hill Carnival

29^th – August Bank Holiday

30^th – Ganesh Chaturthi - Hindu holiday

September

How to make your products attractive to the media in September    

Summer is nearly over and it’s time to look to the autumn and to the winter. Mid-September marks just 100 days to Christmas so you should be adding your Christmas images for those monthly/weekly magazines with medium lead times.  Plus, look at adding some spring summer 23 images for those titles with long lead times as they will be starting to look at their Feb and March 2023 issues so you can help them out with previews of SS23. 

The media are going to be starting to create features around getting back to the office, what to wear for university or college, back to school. Now the nights are drawing in they’ll also be running features on winter wear so add coats/jumpers/boots plus they’ll be looking for images for Halloween, bonfire night parties and there are decorations and gifts for Christmas and some last-minute AW images. 

Don’t forget to add keywords – Gifts, Christmas, Xmas, Autumn, Winter, Halloween will all be looked for. It’s National Yoga month so you could add yoga as keyword on any athleisure wear, floor mats, rugs etc

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.

September Diary - Weeks/Months

September is National Honey Month and National Yoga month

September also has London Fashion Week between 16^th-20^th September and this year features men and women’s fashion and features digital and physical events see the schedule here https://londonfashionweek.co.uk/schedule  There’s also the London Textile Fair (5^th-6^th Sept) Top Drawer (11^th-13^th Sept)

Other weeks to celebrate this month include; New York fashion week (8^th-14^th Sept), Milan fashion week (20^th-26^th Sept) Paris fashion week (26^th Sept -4^th Oct), Open House Festival (8-21^st Sept) Jane Austen Festival (9^th-17^th Sept) British Science Festival (13^th -17^th Sept) National Horse Race Week (10^th-18^th Sept) Recycle Week 2022 (19^th-25^th Sept)

September - Days

2^nd – Blackpool Illuminations start

^5th - Labor Day US

5^th – International Charity Day

5^th – Schools start going back

6^th – Read a book day

7^th – National Beer Lovers Day (US)

11^th – Great North Run Newcastle

16^th – 100 days until Christmas

16^th -18^th – The Goodwood Revival

21^st – Zero emissions day

22^nd – Car free Day

23^rd – September Equinox

25^th – Rosh Hashanah 

25^th – 3 months to Christmas Day

26^th – Navaratri

27^th – World Tourism Day

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