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PRShots Roundup brings you the latest retail news from Sainsbury’s, Hobbycraft, OnBuy, Ray-Ban, Mothercare, Boohoo, Sephora, THG, Furniture Village, and John Lewis. Plus, how to do YouTube influencer marketing, is the flattening out of the luxury market here to stay and more.
THE LATEST RETAIL INDUSTRY NEWS
UK retail sales beat expectations
Office for National Statistics data showed total retail sales volumes rose 0.3% in September slower than the 1% improvement seen in August, but ahead of forecasts of a 0.3% decline.
Sainsbury’s trials larger self-checkout tills
Sainsbury’s is piloting larger self-checkout tills as a replacement for human cashiers, following its CEO’s remarks about the need to make stores “more efficient”.
Hobbycraft sales for the year to 18 Feb were up 3.4% to £218.3m, but profits fell 80% to £393,000, impacted by one-off costs and inflationary pressures.
John Lewis aims to double its fashion business
John Lewis executive director Peter Ruis plans to double the department store’s fashion business, citing market consolidation as a key opportunity for growth.
Online marketplace OnBuy is planning international expansion
OnBuy is preparing for a “significant international growth phase”, with expansion expected to reach 14 countries by the end of 2024.
Ray-Ban maker EssilorLuxottica misses sales expectations
Ray-Ban parent EssilorLuxottica sales for Q3 to Sep 30 were €6.44bn, below analysts' forecasts of €6.58bn, dented by a slowdown in consumer spending in China.
Mothercare to strike a deal with Indian giant Reliance
Mothercare sales for the 53 weeks to 30 Mar fell to £280.8m from £322.7m but moved to a pre-tax profit of £3.3m from a loss of £0.1m and is looking to Indian retailers Reliance for new funding.
Furniture Village doubles employee profit share payout after strong full year performance
Furniture Village has shared £2,25m with around 1,050 eligible employees thanks orders up by 3% and record post-covid profits of £12.35m for the year to June 2024.
TRENDS, SUSTAINABILITY, STRATEGY AND TECHNOLOGY
How to do YouTube influencer marketing
Learn why YouTube influencer marketing is a must-have strategy. We have expert tips and inspiration-worthy campaign examples to help you get started.
Is the flattening out of luxury spending set to continue?
Following steady growth across much of the 2010s, luxury online sales have flattened out since the pandemic, with the sector recording virtually no growth in Europe from its €15.5bn level in 2021.
13 new AI productivity tool for marketing
New tools for email marketing, audience research, project and team management, AI assistants, voice-powered dictation, and video production.
What Amazon is doing in the US to revolutionise global operations
Retail Week visited Amazon’s MQY1 fulfilment centre in Nashville, Tennessee, to find its showing no signs of slowing down in its pursuit of innovative new technologies.
13 video AI apps for creative marketing
Generate video from text, edit short clips from a single long-form source, produce product videos from static images, and more.
A guide to 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.
The changing face of furniture retailing
While people were forced to shop online due to the lockdowns, the reality is that the pandemic only accelerated the inevitable and now most furniture journeys start online.
Why it’s time to reinvent the blog
They’ve become little more than content-marketing tools. But blogs could be so much more, with just a little effort and imagination.
PEOPLE, MOVERS AND SHAKERS
Boohoo boss John Lyttle has announced he's leaving as group signs debt deal
The search for a new CEO is underway at Boohoo as boss John Lyttle announced his departure after five years at the helm.
BRAND NEWS
Sephora to open in Liverpool One
Sephora is set to open a new store in Liverpool One early next year as it ramps up its expansion across the UK.
THG expands recycle:me scheme for cosmetics packaging
THG is expanding its recycle:me consumer recycling scheme that targets hard-to-recycle beauty and cosmetic packaging, “allowing brand partners to offset new packaging waste fees”.
John Lewis is new patron of British Beauty Council
John Lewis has become a patron of the British Beauty Council. Within the new role, the retailer will work with the Council “to facilitate strategic initiatives” to support the beauty industry.
Tom Daley is new Merino wool ambassador
British Olympic diving champion Tom Daley is teaming up with Woolmark to become Merino wool’s latest ambassador, “celebrating the process from farm-to-yarn”.
AND FINALLY
Iceland launches first food product with 18+ age restriction
Two new ready meals made with the world’s hottest pepper are launching in Iceland Foods, but the spice levels mean the meals are banning under 18’s from purchasing them.
PRSHOTS TOP 10 SEARCHES
What were our users searching for on PRShots Week ending October 11th 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
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BRANDS WITH NEW IMAGES
Clothing, beauty and accessories
F&F has a new Abbey Clancy collaboration, new Christmas campaign imagery, Active Kate Ferdinand collaborations, Xmas ranges including jumpers, coats and party wear in satins, gold and black metallics and sequins.
Barbour has new outdoor ranges, a gifts under £50 range, an Alexa Natalie collaboration, new Flower Mountain collaboration of trainers and clothes, new menswear.
Bonmarché has new Christmas jumpers and partywear, lingerie ranges, new jewellery and accessory ranges for Christmas and the winter and AW24 clothing ranges.
Dune London has new bag, boots and shoes, women’s hats and accessories, plus suitcases and travel luggage.
Primark has a new Kem and 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.
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.
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 3rd parties for him and her.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
Habitat has new Christmas wreaths and 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.
Quorn Stone has new natural stone and tumbled herringbone cobbles outdoor ranges, marble ranges for the bathroom and kitchen and Limestone cobbles for outside.
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.
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.
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 – 13
Days until Black Friday – 42
Days until Christmas – 68
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 (23rd-27th)
National School Lunch Week US (14 th-18th)
National Baking Week (14th-20th - TBC)
Wrap’s National Recycle Week (14th-20th)
National Chocolate Week (15th-21st - TBC)
October - Days
18th – National Chocolate Cup Cake Day (US)
18th – World Menopause Day
19th – International Gin & Tonic Day
20th – National Office Chocolate Day (US)
22nd-23rd – Hoshana Rabbah
23rd – Last Day of Sukkot
23rd-25th – Shemini Atzeret
24th-25th - Simchat Torah
25th – World Pasta Day
25th – 2 months until Christmas Day
26th – National Pumpkin Day
27th – National American Beer Day
27th – Global Champagne Day
28th – National Chocolate Day (US)
29th – National Cat Day (US)
27th – Clocks go back tonight
31st – Halloween
31st – 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).
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