Main Image: Monsoon

PRShots Roundup brings you the latest retail news from Dr Martens, Deichmann, New Look, M&S, Fatface, White Stuff, Perfect Moment and John Lewis. Plus, the best times to post on social media, why shops have come back in fashion in Europe and more.  

THE LATEST RETAIL INDUSTRY NEWS

Dr Martens owner buys stake in French outerwear brand

Dr Martens owner Permira, has bought a significant minority stake in French premium outerwear brand K-Way from Italian clothing group BasicNet.

Deichmann UK sees strongest sales so far

Deichmann’s UK business sales for 2023 were up 14% to £139.1m with the operating loss narrowed to £838k from £2.819m with online sales up 14% in 2023.

New Look faces tough conditions in latest year

New Look revenue for the year to the end of March show revenues down to £735.4m from £816.9m and EBITDA fell to £46.6m from £50.5m. E-commerce sales remained strong at £217.45m, only marginally down from the £218.97m.

 M&S is going to add self-checkouts to all of its fitting rooms

Marks & Spencer is set to add self-checkouts to all of its fitting rooms to prevent customers from queuing twice while shopping.

Fatface slumps to loss post-Next acquisition

Fatface results for the 35 weeks ended 27 Jan show revenues of £191.5m with a pre-tax loss of £3.2m down from a £19.5m profit the year prior.

Shein and Temu’s growth rates are predicted to plummet in 2025

Online retail giants Temu and Shein are set to see their respective growth rates plummet in 2025, according to a report by market research firm Forrester.

​White Stuff has been bought by The Foschini Group

The Foschini Group (TFG), which owns Hobbs, Whistles and Phase Eight, has acquired White Stuff. The group confirmed it will be retaining the fashion retailer’s senior leadership team, led by CEO Jo Jenkins, and all its colleagues across the business.

TRENDS, SUSTAINABILITY, STRATEGY AND TECHNOLOGY

The best times to post on social media

When is the best time to post on social media? Hootsuite finds that with a few exceptions, early morning weekdays are your best bet.

Why shops have come back into fashion in Europe

The rise of online shopping has led to swathes of store closures, casting doubt over the future of retail malls and high streets, but in Europe there are signs that shops are back in vogue and are important for helping to drive online sales.

OOH delivery surges in popularity for online shoppers

Out-of-home (OOH) delivery is “rapidly gaining traction” in the UK. With 26% of shoppers indicated they would choose OOH delivery and 33.9% expressed interest in parcel locker, up from 7% and 13%, respectively in 2022.

Ikea, Argos and John Lewis to benefit from a furniture sales boost this quarter

Some of the UK’s biggest furniture and floorcovering retailers are set to benefit this golden quarter as the market makes a return to growth, according to GlobalData.

What selling a bra looks like in 2024

The Victoria’s Secret show signalled a return to the bombshell. But consumer sentiment has shifted and priorities have changed. What’s influencing purchases?

PEOPLE, MOVERS AND SHAKERS

Amazon grocery boss Tony Hoggett steps down

Amazon grocery boss Tony Hoggett is stepping down. He joined the ecommerce giant in 2022 as senior vice president of worldwide grocery stores, and was previously Tesco group chief strategy and innovation officer and group chief operating officer.

BRAND NEWS

Asos launches its ‘most ambitious brand campaign to date’

Asos has launched a new brand platform ‘Inspired By’ takes inspiration from various locations that inform fashion trends and style – and “brings it to life by telling the story behind the curation”.

Charli XCX and Converse prep for Christmas campaign

Converse has chosen singer/songwriter Charli XCX (Charlotte Emma Aitchison) for its Christmas campaign, and described it as “the perfect pairing of two icons”.

Lidl to accelerate expansion with 10 new openings before Christmas

Lidl GB is accelerating its store opening programme with the launch of ten new stores and will reopen three stores before Christmas, creating 400 jobs.

John Lewis to recruit record 12,500 seasonal staff

The John Lewis Partnership is recruiting a record 12,500 temporary staff across the country for its pre-Christmas peak trading period.

UK skiwear brand Perfect Moment opens first US-based warehouse

Ahead of opening its first store in the US, skiwear label Perfect Moment has now unveiled its first US-based warehouse and distribution centre as it looks to continue cementing its presence in the region.

AND FINALLY x2

Jamie Oliver warns followers to be alert to 'lorryloads of very posh cheese' being sold by 'wrong'uns'

Neal's Yard Dairy, who sell and distribute British artisan cheese, were duped by a "fraudulent buyer posing as a legitimate wholesale distributor for a major French retailer".

Christmas festivities start earlier every year, analysis finds

A Guardian analysis shows that the Grinch-like grumble that “Christmas is getting earlier every year” is actually justified.

PRSHOTS TOP 10 SEARCHES

What were our users searching for on PRShots Week ending October 25^th 2024?

1/ AW24

2/ Christmas

3/ Halloween

4/ Leopard

5/ Coat

6/ Vase

7/ Bow

8/ Yellow

9/ Christmas Tree  

10/ Dress

NEW BRANDS TO PRSHOTS

Saywood was created in 2020 by Harriet Saywood-Bellisario, who graduated from the London College of Fashion before working at Paul Smith, Richard Nicoll and Label/Mix. The brand specialises in beautiful edits of wardrobe essentials and classics contemporised with unexpected details made to be worn and re-worn.

Jellycat is the brand of the moment and has been around for a quarter of a century. Over this time, their unmistakable characters have gained the affection of millions across 77 countries.

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.

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

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.

Roman Originals has a new nightwear ranges with pyjamas and cosy dressing gowns, Petite range, new Ariella and Dusk ranges, plus floral outfits, and Roman Petite and Curve ranges.

Primark has a range of US NBA tops for men, a new Future Projects collaboration, a Kem and Edit range, Christmas Grinch, Famjam, A Nightmare Before Christmas ranges of pyjamas, jewellery and accessories, a new maternity range.

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

M&S has the Christmas beauty advent calendar, party outfits for all the family, 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.

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

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

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

Very has a new Michelle Keegan collaboration, new Grinch-themed pyjamas for all the family, stocking filler accessories, partywear ranges, V by Very ranges of clothes and footwear, and Quiet Luxury, Everyday and Curve ranges of womenswear.

River Island has new Premium and Winter Reds collections, along with 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.

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.

Online Home Shop has new winter and Christmas-themed pyjamas, fleeces, ponchos, dressing gowns and onesies for him and her.

Barbour has new collaborations with Ganni and Baracuta and has new outdoor ranges, a gifts under £50 range, a Alexa Natalie range, plus a Flower Mountain collaboration of trainers and clothes.

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

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

Fable England has a new Core collection of bags and accessories, a Wolf Garden range of clothes, jewellery and bags, a new AW24 collaboration with the National History Museum, plus new jewellery ranges.

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.

Scamp & Dude has Christmas party outfits and new womenswear.

London Grace has new nail varnish ranges.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

See additional new clothing and accessories images from

Iolla Regatta John Lewis Joe Browns Dune London Mens

Home, garden and food

George Home has a new Christmas decorations for the tree, tableware, soft furnishings and trees, Stacey Solomon Christmas, Halloween and Autumn collaborations on cookware, bedding, dining, and homeware.

Monsoon has new Christmas decorations for the home and the tree.

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.

Home Bargains has new gift ranges for Christmas including candles.

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

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

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.

Very has new soft furnishings and candles and other stocking fillers plus Christmas decorations for the home and the tree.

B&M has new bedding and soft furnishings, Xmas 2024 gift guides, new Woodland Charm, Japandi and Natural Earth homeware, plus bedding and soft furnishings for AW24, 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.

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

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.

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

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.

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 Sandberg Wallpaper John Lewis Designers Guild National Trust shop

DIARY

PRShots Retail Calendar Alerts

Days until Halloween – 3

Days until Black Friday – 32

Days until Christmas – 58
 

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)

October - Days

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). 

How to get your brand on the November media calendars

We are well into autumn and the Christmas season, and the media are looking for images that help them fill all those “what to buy on Black Friday” features, the endless Christmas gift guides, and all those “What to wear for the Christmas party season” articles.  

You should be uploading Black Friday and Christmas images for most media, but long lead-time magazines will be looking at January issues, so anything that helps illustrate the inevitable “New you for 2025” issues will also be welcomed. So, any athleisure, outdoor, healthy, sporty images will all be useful. 

As always, don’t forget to add keywords – Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Thanksgiving, Gifts, Christmas, Xmas, Winter, plus all those words beloved of home and women’s magazines like cosy, cosiness, hygge and wellbeing.

Clothing-wise the media are looking for party wear, party dresses, nightwear, going-out outfits, Christmas Jumpers, jumpers, scarves, bobble hats, beanies, cardigans, coatigans, jackets, and coats. So, make sure you have plenty of images in those categories uploaded and labelled with as many of those words as you can.    

Also, make sure that if your clothing is made from a fabric associated with winter that it’s flagged up somewhere in the title/keyword or in more information. Wool (woolovers are a thing), cashmere, fur (faux obviously), velvet, plus the year’s big trends of sequins, metallics, red and gold.     

If you’re aiming at being included in Christmas Guides, then make sure you have added prices. Guides are normally price-led eg “Presents under £50”, “Party dresses for less than £150” and without prices, your items won’t be included.     

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.

November Diary - Weeks/Months

Events to add to your marketing diary for November include.

Movember which centres around men’s health issues and moustaches, so beard and shaving-related things might be useful. It’s also World Pancreatic Cancer Month, World Vegan Month, Men’s Health Awareness Month, and in the US, it’s also National Peanut Butter Lovers’ Month, Sweet Potato Month and Candy Month.

Weeks to celebrate in November include;

International Stress Awareness Week (4^th-8^th)

Transgender Awareness Week (13^th-19^th)

November - Days

1^st – Diwali 

1^st – World Vegan Day

1^st – All Saints’ Day

2^nd – All Souls’ Day

2^nd – International Stress Awareness Day

2^nd – Carnaby Street/Oxford Street Christmas lights switch on (TBC)

3^rd – New York Marathon 

5^th – Guy Fawkes/Bonfire night

5^th – National Redhead Day US/UK

5^th – US presidential elections 

5^th – Four years since the second National Lockdown was started 

9^th – Social Media Kindness Day

9^th – British Pudding Day

10^th - Remembrance Sunday 

11^th – Armistice/Remembrance Day

11^th – Chinese Singles Day

11^th – Veterans Day (US)

12^th – World Pneumonia Day

12^th – National Happy Hour Day (US)

13^th – World Kindness Day

14^th – King Charles III 76^th birthday

15^th - BBC Children in Need

15^th – International Cheese and Bread Day

17^th – Homemade Bread Day (US)  

17^th – International Students Day

19^th – International Men’s Day

20^th – World Children’s Day

25^th – 1 month until Christmas Day

28^th – Thanksgiving (US) 

29^th – Black Friday 

30^th – US Small Business Saturday 

30^th – St Andrew’s Day (Bank Holiday Scotland)

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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