Main Image: Primark

PRShots Roundup brings you the latest retail news from ProCook, Adidas, Boots, Footasylum, Currys, Superdry, Astrid & Miyu, Marks & Spencer and John Lewis. Plus, how to integrate AI into your customer service, how to do social media competitor analysis and more.  

THE LATEST RETAIL INDUSTRY NEWS

UK inflation falls below 2% for first time in three and a half years

UK Inflation has fallen to 1.7%, down from 2.2% and the first time it has fallen below 2% in three and a half years.

Shein adds more banks to arrange London listing

Shein has added more banks to help arrange its potential initial public offering with a listing as soon as early next year.

ProCook posts 8.8% increase in revenues

ProCook Q2 revenues to 13 Oct were up 8.8% to £17m outperforming the market, and H1 revenues up 7.5% to £28.3m.

Adidas ups profit forecast to £1bn

Adidas Q3 results show sales up 7% to £5.39bn and a 46% increase in operating profit to £500m, driven by the success of its Samba and Gazelle models.

Mike Ashley’s Frasers Group buys stake in Hudson Malta to boost global expansion

Mike Ashley’s Frasers Group is to expand into Africa after acquiring a “significant non-controlling” stake in a retail and distribution business Hudson Malta.

Boots grows market share for 14th consecutive quarter

Boots reported a 6.2% growth in retail sales for the quarter ending Aug 31, delivering its 14th consecutive quarter of market share growth with full-year sales growing 6.9%.

Klarna grows UK network by a third in buy-now pay-later boom

Klarna said its network of UK merchants has grown by roughly a third over the last year from around 30,000 to 41,496 in the UK as demand for buy-now pay-later (BNPL) services continues.

UK retailers set for holiday spending boost

Shopify's Holiday Retail Report shows the UK is the only international market where shoppers are expected to increase their spending over the Black Friday weekend, with a 21% rise to £159.22.

TRENDS, SUSTAINABILITY, STRATEGY AND TECHNOLOGY

How to integrate AI into your customer service

If you’re a business that’s always on the lookout for new and innovative ways to grow your business, look no further than AI customer service.

How customer-centric marketing can fuel long-term success

Building brand loyalty starts with trust. Here’s how to turn customers into advocates, increase lifetime value and protect your reputation.

How to do a social media competitor analysis

Social media competitor analysis will help you identify gaps in your strategy and stay one step ahead of everyone else. Hootsuite shows you how to do it.

13 new affordable AI productivity tools

New tools for email marketing, audience research, project and team management, AI assistants, voice-powered dictation, and video

Snapchat to host augmented reality ‘high street’ featuring Boots

Snapchat is launching an Augmented Reality pop-up called “Snap Street” in Brick Lane where shoppers can interact with brands such as Boots and Depop.

Starship Technologies and Bolt have teamed up on a combined grocery delivery service

Autonomous delivery services company Starship Technologies has partnered with ride-sharing app Bolt on a new grocery delivery partnership in the brands' hometown of Tallinn, Estonia.

PEOPLE, MOVERS AND SHAKERS

Footasylum has drafted in former Clarks and New Balance executives

Footasylum has poached staff from Clarks and New Balance for its new chief commercial officer and senior buying director.

BRAND NEWS

John Lewis brings back personal loans for customers

John Lewis has partnered with Zopa to provide personal loans between £1,000 and £35,000 in less than two hours on its website.

Astrid & Miyu is set to open its first store in mainland Europe

Jewellery retailer Astrid & Miyu is opening a store in Amsterdam, its debut store in mainland Europe as it eyes further expansion.

Currys refreshes credit offering

Currys has revamped their Currys Flexplay credit product with more options available and an easier process. Credit now accounts for 20% of purchases at Currys and exceeds credit card purchases.

Marks & Spencer to launch collaboration with designer Bella Freud

Marks & Spencer is gearing up to launch an exclusive collaboration instore and online with fashion designer Bella Freud later this week.

Superdry is targeting Gen Z shoppers with a new Athletic Essentials concept store

Fashion retailer Superdry is opening the doors to a new concept store, Athletic Essentials by Superdry, as it targets Gen Z amid its ongoing turnaround strategy.

AND FINALLY x2

LVMH set to pay €800m tax increase to ease France’s debt

LVMH is expecting to pay as much as €800m in additional taxes next year after France announced plans to raise levies on its biggest companies to help shore up public finances.

Neiman Marcus’ latest Christmas catalogue offers a Royal carriage for a Christmas present

US retailer Neiman Marcus continues its decades-long tradition of offering a limited array of luxurious, one-of-a-kind fantasy holiday gifts for the billion and millionaires.

PRSHOTS TOP 10 SEARCHES

What were our users searching for on PRShots Week ending October 11^th 2024?

1/ AW24

2/ Christmas

3/ Halloween

4/ Leopard

5/ Bag

6/ Coat

7/ Shoes

8/ Sequin

9/ Candle  

10/ Earrings

NEW BRANDS TO PRSHOTS

Priestleys was founded by husband and wife team James and Karen and specialises in producing little luxuries in their Lincolnshire workshop.  Their leather bags, belts, wallets and accessories are handcrafted using responsibly sourced leathers from gold and silver-rated tanneries in Europe and are supplemented with ranges of scarves and jewellery.

Sims Wear was founded by Billy Sims-Hilditch with the idea of creating British made menswear, using best in class natural fibres. The range is all home produced in Aberdeenshire from fibre carding and spinning, through to knitting, weaving, cutting and sewing.

Initially London are the UK's only full-service monogramming company specialising in classic accessories, home linens and gifts for all occasions and all include their fabulous embroidered and laser-etched monograms.

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.

BRANDS WITH NEW IMAGES

Clothing, beauty and accessories

River Island has new party outfits and accessories for the Christmas season for men, women and children, plus women’s footwear, clothes and bag ranges, faux leather and leather ranges.

Peacocks has new Christmas jumpers and fashion, Caprice Christmas pyjama collections, new womenswear, a new Louise Redknapp AW and Christmas Edit, a Michael Owen collaboration and new AW24 womenswear and jewellery.

Fatface has launched a new women’s partywear label Copper & Black, plus more AW24 Edit ranges of womenswear.  

Monsoon has new October edits for women and kids, bags, shoes, jewellery and accessories, new womenswear for special occasions and children’s Christmas-themed and winter accessories.

Betty&Biddy has new jewellery ranges for Christmas including earrings, bracelets and necklaces.

Primark has a new Edit range, Christmas Grinch, Famjam, A Nightmare Before Christmas ranges of pyjamas, jewellery and accessories, a new maternity range, a Pau Eche range of AW24 womenswear and accessories, and Halloween outfits.

Very has new partywear ranges, V by Very ranges of clothes and footwear, a new Michelle Keegan collaboration of winter coats, Quiet Luxury ranges of womenswear, Everyday, and V by Very Curve.

M&S has Christmas clothing, accessories and lingerie sets as well as post-surgery bras, Halloween clothing, the Dress the Nation range with Vernon Kay and AJ Odudu, autumn lingerie, clothing, accessories and jewellery ranges from Autograph, M&S, Jaeger and 3^rd parties for him and her.

Celtic &Co has new statement looks for men and women for AW24.

New Look has new winter and occasion wear outfits for women, plus ranges of womenswear including coats, jumpers, skirts and tops.

Matalan has a new collaboration with Alder Hey hospital, Christmas women’s eveningwear, outdoor clothing, footwear, Christmas and Winter outfits for the whole family, AW24 men’s tailoring, new kids and adults sleepwear from its Cosy Shop, new AW24 lingerie ranges, shoes and boots for AW, Halloween wear for all the family.

Dune London has new women’s hats, boots, shoes, accessories and bag ranges, suitcases and travel luggage, handbags and accessory ranges.

George at Asda has women’s and menswear for Christmas occasions and parties, Children in Need Christmas outfits, a new Roksanda and Tickled Pink collaboration clothing ranges, a new collaboration Style Stories with Erica Davies.

Threadbare has a new AW24 and British Adventure ranges of womenswear.

Barbour has a gifts under £50 range, an Alexa Natalie collaboration, new Flower Mountain collaboration of trainers and clothes, new menswear, plus Modern Heritage ranges of menswear and womenswear for AW24.

Accessorize has new Christmas 2024 ranges of pyjamas, jumpers, bags, jewellery and accessories, plus AW24 ranges of bags, jewellery and scarves.

Oliver Bonas has new AW24 womenswear, accessories, shoes, boots and jewellery drops for October.

Roman Originals has a new Petite range, new Ariella and Dusk ranges, plus floral outfits, and Roman Petite and Curve ranges.

Shoe Zone has new AW24 men, women and kids shoes and boots.

Cotton Traders has new cosy womenswear and menswear for AW24 including jumpers, cardigans and coats.

Fable England has a Wolf Garden range of clothes, jewellery and bags, a new AW24 collaboration with the National History Museum new jewellery ranges, AW24 small accessories ranges from scarves to purses and AW24 nightwear.

Bonmarché has new lingerie ranges, new jewellery and accessory ranges for Christmas and the winter and AW24 clothing ranges.

F&F has new Christmas campaign imagery, Active Kate Ferdinand collaborations, Xmas ranges including jumpers, coats and party wear in satins, gold and black metallics and sequins.

TK Maxx has its Christmas gift-guides for men, women, kids and pets, plus new menswear and womenswear ranges for AW24 including coats, jackets and hoodies, plus Leopard skin prints t-shirts and skirts.

See additional new clothing and accessories images from

Iolla Regatta Scamp & Dude John Lewis Joe Browns Dune London Mens

Home, garden and food

Online Home Shop has new foot warmers, hot water bottles, heated pads, body wraps, plus bar stools and furniture, mirrors, bedding, cuddle cushions, shaped pillows and bolsters.

Habitat has new Christmas decorations for the home and Christmas trees, plus a Willaim Morris collaboration of furniture and soft furnishings, plus new lighting, furniture for the living dining and bedroom plus new tableware.

Rebel Walls has new big statement First Rebels wallpaper ranges for the home based on paintings by famous artists.

Primark has new Christmas decorations and homeware gifts, AW24 furniture, homeware, bedding, diffusers and candles and Halloween decorations.

M&S has a new National Gallery collaboration, stocking filler Christmas images and new Fearne Cotton Happy Place range, Christmas homeware including tableware, soft furnishings, candles and  diffusers, Christmas decorations, homeware and bedding ranges, and Halloween decorations.

Arran Sense of Scotland has Christmas scented diffusers and handwashes plus Christmas gifting ranges.

Dobbies Garden Centres has new Christmas ranges including food and drink, trees, decorations and gifts for pets, RHS branded garden gift ranges, Halloween ranges, plus Snow & Sparkles, Magic Woodland, Classic Noel, Colour Pop and Festival Tales Christmas decoration ranges plus autumn homewares, playhouses and garden toys.

Treats by Mars has cans of Milky Way, Mars and Galaxy drinks, new Galaxy gluten and dairy selection boxes, and new Snickers, M&Ms and Maltesers ranges of goodies.

Cutter & Squidge has new Christmas and Halloween food gift ideas from hampers to treats.

Matalan has Christmas decorations, a new Connie the Cockapoo range, AW24 soft furnishings and gifts, a new AW Cosy Shop range of bedding and soft furnishings, Christmas bedding ranges and presents for pets.

B&M has new Xmas 2024 gift guides, new Woodland Charm, Japandi and Natural Earth homeware, plus bedding and soft furnishings for AW24, Halloween and Christmas 2024 ranges of decorations, Christmas mugs, cushions, candles, and things for the kitchen and the Christmas dining table. 

Quorn Stone has new natural stone and tumbled herringbone cobbles outdoor ranges, marble ranges for the bathroom and kitchen and Limestone cobbles for outside.

Homesense has new AW24 homeware and Halloween decorations, Christmas gifts and decorations, plus kitchenware ranges aimed at the home and student markets.

George Home has a new Stacey Solomon Christmas, Halloween and Autumn collaborations on cookware, bedding, dining, and homeware.

Hobbycraft has new DIY decoration ideas for the Christmas dining table.

Jan Constantine has a new Christmas collection of cushions.

Cambridge Imprint has wrapping paper, coffee mugs, storage draws and a new artists' gift range.

TK Maxx has its Christmas gift-guides for the home, plus Beetlejuice-themed Halloween things for the home.

DFS has new Scandi, Coastal and Palm beds, sofas and chair ranges.

Joe Browns has new homeware ranges for Christmas and AW24 including bedding, kitchenware and the Heritage Social, Portobello Bohemian and Off the Floor ranges.

See additional new home images from

Nest Cult Furniture Next Home Bargains Sandberg Wallpaper John Lewis Designers Guild National Trust shop

DIARY

PRShots Retail Calendar Alerts

Days until Halloween – 15

Days until Black Friday – 44

Days until Christmas – 70
 

How to get your brand on the October media calendars

We’re into autumn, and the nights are starting to draw in, and the heating is probably on.  The media are looking for images that reflect the changes, so anything that looks cosy and warm is good; roaring fires, big jumpers, coats, hats, knitwear, scarfs and wellies in a leaf-strewn outdoors – all the cliches – are what the media are looking for. If you can do some night shots with sparklers, then you’re also ticking the boxes for Bonfire Night next month and Diwali this month. We also have Halloween at the end of the month, so if you can get a pumpkin in your images, then you’re hitting two birds with one stone.   

You should be adding Christmas images, and for those magazines with very long lead times, then start to look for the images of people working off the Christmas excesses for the January issues. 

Don’t forget to add keywords like Gifts, Christmas, Xmas, Autumn, Winter, Halloween, Fireworks night and Bonfire night, as they will be looked for from now. Also, we have a wide audience with media from around the World, so add those American holiday versions e.g. The Holidays, Fall, Pumpkin day, Thanksgiving etc and words like hygge that are starting to enter the language and are associated with the autumn.  

Media will also be searching for party outfits for Halloween, Guy Fawkes, and the office party season - which will soon be with us.  The media are also starting to look for and create Christmas gift guides, so try and be creative, do ones for every eventuality e.g. gifts guides for him/her/mum/dad/kids/teenagers/pets etc also gifts under £150/100/£50 and for guides for secret Santa’s gifts under £20.

Please put prices on everything!!! Otherwise, you stand no chance of getting into any of the features that include “Presents under £50”, “Party dresses for £150” 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.

If you’re looking for more hooks to help promote your brand and products, then see the list of days, weeks and fortnights below.

October Diary - Weeks/Months

October is also known as ‘Stoptober’, which started as a campaign around giving up cigarettes, but is now joined by MacMillans Go Sober for October, so if you have anything non-alcoholic, then get it on PRShots and make sure you add Stoptober and non-alcoholic as keywords.

It’s also Black History Month, Wool Month, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Menopause Month, Vegetarian Awareness Month, Apple Month, Cookie Month, Spinach Lovers' Month, Pork Month, and National Pasta, Chilli, and Pizza Month.

Fashion and Beauty Weeks and events include - British Beauty Week (23^rd-27^th)

National School Lunch Week US (14 ^th-18^th)

National Baking Week (14^th-20^th - TBC)

Wrap’s National Recycle Week (14^th-20^th)

National Chocolate Week (15^th-21^st - TBC)

 October - Days

16^th – First Day of Sukkot 

16^th – UN World Food Day

16^th – Department store day

18^th – National Chocolate Cup Cake Day (US)

18^th – World Menopause Day

19^th – International Gin & Tonic Day

20^th – National Office Chocolate Day (US)

22^nd-23^rd – Hoshana Rabbah 

23^rd – Last Day of Sukkot 

23^rd-25^th – Shemini Atzeret

24^th-25^th - Simchat Torah  

25^th – World Pasta Day

25^th – 2 months until Christmas Day

26^th – National Pumpkin Day

27^th – National American Beer Day

27^th – Global Champagne Day

28^th – National Chocolate Day (US)

29^th – National Cat Day (US)

27^th – Clocks go back tonight 

31^st – Halloween

31^st  – Diwali 

NB - All dates have been checked, but some events may change due to unforeseen circumstances or have not been fully confirmed for 2024 by the authorities controlling the event(s). 

Subscribe to our PRShots Daily News Digest

Get all the latest news from the retail sector with the PRShots daily news digest covering the fashion, beauty and home sectors. Every day we search out all the biggest news stories and retail trends from all of the UK’s leading news providers and bring them together in one place. Plus see the latest images from PRShots brands and keep up to date with our retail calendar. 

Subscribe now and get this PRShots Retail Digest news in your email every 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!!!