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PRShots Digest brings you the latest retail news from Lululemon, Boots, Waitrose, Cath Kidston, Pandora, Decathlon, Barbour, and Next. Plus articles on getting your customer experience right, Nike’s growth secrets, a guide to social media selling and more.
THE LATEST RETAIL INDUSTRY NEWS
Next delivers growth but budgets for profit drop next year
Next saw a 5.7% boost in its pre-tax profits to £870m for the year ending Jan 2022 and sees inflation falling towards the end of the year and is expected to increase pricing 7% in SS23 and 3% in AW23
Boots sales increase 16% as it wins market share in beauty
Boots posted a 16% year-on-year increase in sales in the quarter to Feb 2023, driven by a “record-breaking” beauty performance.
Lululemon upbeat for 2023 as yearly sales soar
Lululemon recorded net sales growth of 32% and 33% on constant dollar terms in the full year and fourth quarter of 2022, respectively.
Next has added to its stable of brands with the acquisition of Cath Kidston’s brand, website and IP out of administration for £8.5m
Waitrose pulls out of Planet Organic deal
Waitrose has pulled out of talks to buy a stake in Planet Organic which would have seen Waitrose inject millions of pounds into the organic supermarket for a significant shareholding
China’s Alibaba to split into six units in a historic overhaul
China’s e-commerce and technology giant Alibaba plans to split its $222bn empire into six units as part of the largest corporate restructuring since its establishment.
High-end rental and resale market could grow 5x by 2025
The circular fashion market could reach 23% of the global fashion market by 2030, with the high-end rental and resale market growing 5x by 2025 and “significantly outpacing” new clothing sales.
UK may levy green tax on imports from polluted factories
The UK may impose a new green tax on imports manufactured in polluting factories to protect UK manufacturers from being undercut by countries with weak environmental rules.
TRENDS, STRATEGY AND TECHNOLOGY
Customer service is more important than ever with 73% of business leaders reporting a measurable increase in queries over the past year and 75% predicting an uplift over the next year.
Two former Nike executives share the company’s secret formula for serving customers with its shift to digital, direct-to-consumer model, and sustainability.
How customer engagement can drive revenue growth.
In the UK, 94% of companies investing in digital customer engagement saw revenues grow by an average of 107% with increases also in customer retention, conversion and long-term loyalty.
Social selling allows you to laser-target your prospecting, establish rapport with potential clients, and drive social media sales.
6 things you’re doing wrong with website content optimisation
Many website content optimisation factors get ignored, forgotten, or dismissed. Try these fixes for frequent mistakes to supercharge your site for visitors and search engines.
7 ChatGPT browser extensions for SEO
Innovative browser extensions can supercharge ChatGPT output. Here are seven for search engine optimisation.
PEOPLE, MOVERS AND SHAKERS
Pandora appoints chief of retail operations
Pandora has promoted Massimo Basei to the role of chief of retail operations and will take up his role from 1 April
BRAND NEWS
Decathlon launches UK’s first nationwide sports rental scheme
Decathlon has rolled out a sports rental service offering everything from bikes to paddle boards to all of its stores following a successful trial last August in London, Glasgow, Poole and Southampton.
Barbour and Palm Angels to launch reimagined Bedale Wax Jacket
Heritage brand Barbour teamed up with fashion label Palm Angels to create a new version of its iconic Bedale wax jacket.
Inditex discontinues sustainability label 'Join Life'
The Inditex group will remove its 'Join Life' sustainability "indicator" from its garments, following in the footsteps of Mango, which dropped its sustainable 'Committed' label at the end of last year.
Shoppable metaverse platform for fashion and lifestyle brands goes live
New platform Pariz offers fashion and lifestyle brands and retailers not only a virtual presence, but the ability for consumers to shop in the metaverse
AND FINALLY
Does the fashion industry still need trend forecasters?
Trend forecasters have held an unrivalled position in fashion, but now social media can show us in real time new movements, emerging subcultures and street styles do we still need them.
PRSHOTS TOP 10 SEARCHES
What were our users searching for on PRShots Week ending March 24th 2023?
1/ Easter
2/ Garden
3/ Coronation
4/ Pink
5/ Sunglasses
6/ Blue
7/ Bathroom
8/ Dress
9/ Candle
10/ Cushion
COLLABORATIONS ON PRSHOTS
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NEW BRANDS TO PRSHOTS
Studio started back in 1962 and delivers everything from homewares through to clothing and footwear from top brand names as well as its own branded clothing.
Mission C founder Qes discovered that CBD oil helped his Grandad - who was living with dementia - feel calm and contented, he knew it could help others too. So he created a natural and accessible remedy for people looking to improve their quality of life.
Lavender Hill creates luxurious staples, using natural sources, with extra emphasis placed on how the clothes feel, giving every item the softest touch imaginable and that every piece feels soft and comforting next to your skin.
Jessica Russell Flint is British designer who creates vibrant, entirely unique hand-illustrated prints, with luxury products ranging across accessories, clothing, sleepwear and homeware.
&Sons is all about vintage-inspired clothing for the modern-day Pioneer. Timeless garments for the modern man, designed by and for craftspeople, artisan makers and creative pioneers in their chosen fields of endeavour.
Damsons aim is to cater to real women who face the challenges of life with open arms. Their latest collection is influenced by vintage workwear and iconic styles, delicately transformed into contemporary feminine silhouettes.
Tweedmill is a family run business established in 1971 that creates beautiful British made blankets, picnic rugs, home accessories and more and are stocked in more than 4000 retailers UK wide.
Curvy Kate lingerie and swimwear is designed to make women feel fabulous about their curves. With sizes from D to K cups Curvy Kate lingerie and swimwear ethos is to “Fit, lift, shape and comfort.”
Imp & Maker founded by entrepreneur Sarah Louise Fairburn to bring together food, drinks & gifts from established, emerging and exciting new names in the food & drink world for both home and corporate gifting.
Scamp & Dude was created by Jo Tutchener-Sharp, founder and previous MD of Beauty Seen PR and is famous for their signature leopard and lightning bolt print and vibrant designs, which features in their mens, womens, kids and baby ranges.
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
Bryony Bel has new jewellery ranges
Threadbare has new mens and womens ranges
Regatta has new Giovanna Fletcher and Orla Kiely collaboration ranges for the beach
Roman Originals has new spring and summer ranges in all sizes
Aspiga has new summer clothing
PrettyLittleThing has new festival collections, new ranges and collabs
Primark has a new Paula Echevarria and NFL Dolphins collaboration, beachwear and accessories, plus an EDIT range
Dune London Men’s has new SS23 shoes and accessories ranges
Dune London has a new range of bags and kids shoe ranges for the summer
Shoe Zone has new kids ranges
New Look has new footwear ranges, swimwear and summer clothing drops
Very has new V by Very and Very Curve ranges plus Michelle Keegan collaborations
TK Maxx has new clothing, shoes, make up and accessories
Barbour has new mens, womens and kids ranges
River Island has a new Nine range as well as swimwear and accessories, spring/summer clothing
National Trust Shop has new scarves, hats, bags and accessories
Matalan has new bags, hats and sandals
Peacocks has new womenswear ranges
Fatface has new mens, womens and kids ranges
See additional new clothing and accessories images from the last few weeks at
Monsoon Cotton Traders Oliver Bonas Radley The Morphbag by JSK Marks & Spencer NoLoGo Dancing Leopard Crew Clothing Very Lipsy Tu Clothing Teva Office
Home, garden and food
Biscuiteers Baking has new coronation goodies as well as Smiley 50th birthday ranges plus Easter and Father’s Day
Sofology has new furniture ranges
Cuckooland has new outdoor furniture
Ivyline has a new outdoor furniture, pots, planters, hanging baskets, firepits and mirrors and more
Cutter & Squidge has new Eid treats
Wilko has new picnic and outdoor items, plus gifts and home items
National Trust shop has new bird feeders, plant collections, Easter gifts and summer items for outdoor living
Dobbies Garden Centres has new picnic ideas, terrariums, plants, pet ranges, things for the home, and patio furniture.
Cardfactory has new mermaid themed gifts
Dunelm has new camping and outdoor ranges homeware and Easter gifts and decorations
Cambridge Imprint has new cards and gifts
Marks & Spencer has new outdoor ranges
Furniture Village has new outdoor furniture
TK Maxx has new home ranges and toys
Homesense has new gift ranges for pets, party ranges, home furniture and things for outdoor dining
The Range has Easter homeware and decorations, plus kitchen and homeware to keep you organised in 2023
Nologo has new tableware
B&M has new animal gifts
Oliver Bonas has new home ranges
See additional new home images from the last weeks from
Cult Furniture Fritz Fryer Next Branch Jewellery Primark GettingPersonal Nest Cartwright & Butler Fatface George Home Daisy Park Very Primark Home Cath Kidston
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 Alert
Days until Easter – 11
Days until Eid al-Fitr – 23
Days until The Coronation - 38
Days until Halloween – 216
Days until Singles Day - 227
Days until Black Friday – 240
Days until Christmas Day – 271
How to get your brand on the March Editorial Calendars, search engines and social media
March is mostly about preparing for the big Easter holidays in April so make sure you are starting to include relevant Easter keywords, plus it’s also the time people make their first big getaway abroad so any keywords and clothes for warmer climes, loungewear, going out wear, swimsuits, bikinis etc should be added.
Plus, as we’re now definitely in Spring, carry on adding those spring and summer-related images and adding keywords relating to the summer like swimwear, outdoor living, garden, garden parties and Barbecues (don’t forget to add all of the other spellings BBQ, Bar-B-Que etc).
We’re also starting to get ready for the bridal season – the peak is May to October – so If you have bridal wear or anything appropriate to weddings then start to upload it, and label it with the keyword wedding.
Lastly, it’s Oscar month so why not upload some smart suits and dresses and create an Oscar section for an evening watching the Oscars.
If you’re looking for more hooks to help promote your brand and products then see the list of days, weeks and fortnights below.
March Diary - Weeks/Months
In the UK it’s National Bed Month - Introduced by The Sleep Council and The National Bed Federation, it aims to raise awareness of the importance of sleep so push anything sleep-related. it’s also the British Heart Foundation Dechox month which encourages people to give up chocolate – cakes and biscuits - for the month! So, any chocolate, biscuit or cake alternatives should be pushed.
Interesting Stat: National No-Smoking day was originally on Ash Wednesday when it was started in 1984. It was moved to the second Wednesday in March as, while it’s less easy to remember, the date doesn’t move around the calendar quite so much as Ash Wednesday does.
Other events include;
Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month
World Autism Awareness Week (Mar 27th – Apr 2nd)
English Tourism Week (Mar 17th – Mar 26th)
Ideal Home Show (Mar 17th – Apr 2nd)
National Fragrance Week (Mar 20th – Mar 26th)
The Big Walk and Wheel (Mar 20th – Mar 31st) Changes
March - Days
31st – Wear a Hat Day (Brain Tumour Research)
How to get your brand on the April Editorial Calendars, search engines and social media
We’re now definitely in Spring, and people are thinking about the approaching summer holidays, so add any spring-summer-related images you have and add in keywords relating to summer outfits and summer events e.g. festivals, Glastonbury, beachwear, swimwear, the garden, garden parties, outdoor living, things for the patio, and of course Barbecues. Don’t forget to add all of the other spellings BBQ, Bar-B-Que etc and other related keywords like picnic, garden party, get-togethers, parties, socials, gatherings and for the young ‘gaths’.
While some people are looking to holidays abroad some are also trimming their budgets thanks to the rising costs of gas and electricity etc, and are looking closer to home, so add in keywords and phrases like “staycation”, “holistay”, “holiday at home” to your keywords and why not suggest clothing like cardigans for the colder UK evenings.
It’s also Easter and the first big break of the year, and it’s traditionally when people start to look at brightening up their gardens/patios/windowsills, so include any planting/gardening imagery and keywords as well as any of the standard Easter related items, decorations, presents, bunnies and of course eggs and chocolate.
April Diary – Weeks/Months
As well as Easter there are lots of other big events in April. April is World Stress awareness month and National Pet Month in the UK, so if you have anything to relieve stress (massage products, recliners, diffusers, pillows, garden swings etc) and anything for pets (dog coats, cat collars, dog beds will also be looked for etc) then add them and get all the relevant keywords added.
Other events include;
World Autism Awareness Week (Mar 27th – Apr 2nd)
Community Garden Week (Apr 3rd – Apr 9th)
Discover National Parks Fortnight (Apr 4th – Apr 18th)
International Dark-Sky Week (Apr 15th – Apr 22nd)
Allergy Awareness Week (Apr 20th – Apr 25th)
MS Awareness Week (Apr 24th – Apr 30th)
April - Days
1st – April Fool’s Day
5th – Passover Begins
6th – Maundy Thursday
7th – World Health Day
7th – National Beer Day (US)
7th – Good Friday
9th – Easter Sunday
10th – Easter Monday
13th – Passover Ends
14th – Vaisakhi (Sikh New Year)
14th-16th – Coachella Weekend One
15th – Grand National
21st - National Tea Day
21st – End of Ramadan
22nd – Earth Day
21st- 23rd – Coachella Weekend Two
23rd – St George’s Day
23rd - National Asparagus Day
23rd – Shakespeare Day
24th - National Skipping Day
24th – Fashion Revolution Day
25th – World Malaria Day
25th – National Lingerie Day
26th – Stop Food Waste Day
29th - International Dance Day
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!!!
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