Main Image: Matalan

PRShots Roundup brings you the latest retail news from Tesco, British Land, Sainsbury’s, B&Q, Grown Alchemist, Burberry, Topps Tiles and M&S. Plus, how Oh Polly uses AI-powered merchandising, how to set a smart social media budget and more.  

THE LATEST RETAIL INDUSTRY NEWS

Tesco CEO raises profit expectations

Tesco sales grew 4% to £31.5bn in the half to Aug 24 retail adjusted operating profit up 10% to £1.56bn and has raised its profit guidance for the year to around £2.9bn, up from “at least £2.8 bn”.

British Land snaps up 7 UK retail parks in £441m deal

British Land has acquired a portfolio of seven UK retail parks from Canadian investment giant Brookfield for £441m, boosting its position in the retail park market.

September footfall saw a decline

Footfall across all destinations in September fell 3% month on month despite more workers returning to the office, according to data from MRI Software.

Levi sees full-year revenue at low end of its guidance range

Levi has narrowed its full-year revenue outlook to 1%, the bottom end of its previous 1-3% range as sales in Q3 to Aug 25 fell just short of the average analyst estimate.

Topps Tiles sales drop as it battles against ‘challenging’ year

Topps Tiles revenues dropped 5.7% to £248m for the year ended 28 Sept, with sales falling 4.4% in Q4, however, figures exclude sales from assets acquired from its acquisition of CTD Tiles in August.

Sainsbury's boss looks to UK budget to lift spending gloom

Sainsbury’s CEO says shoppers will not start spending strongly again until the new Labour government sets out its tax and spending plans, and interest rates fall further.

TRENDS, SUSTAINABILITY, STRATEGY AND TECHNOLOGY

How Oh Polly uses AI-powered merchandising

Product owner Lauren Muir describes how the tech has challenged conventional beliefs about fashion merchandising, driving sales by showing shoppers what they want to see.

How to set a smart social media budget

Every business should have a social strategy backed by a social media budget. Hootsuite finds out how much you should be spending on social media marketing.

Should retailers cash in on the secondhand tech opportunity?

With AO snapping up Music Magpie and Vinted announcing the launch of a dedicated category for electronics, Retail Week takes a look at what retailers are doing in the secondhand tech space.

3 ways to use predictive analytics to make better decisions

Martech shows you how to drive strategic decisions with predictive analytics, enhancing personalisation, campaign optimisation and lead scoring for better outcomes.

12 new social networks for 2024

PracticalEcommerce’s rundown of new social networks includes decentralised platforms, live-streaming apps, location-based services, and more.

Why The Body Shop brand is making a comeback ‘market by market’

The Body Shop CEO has said the brand is making a comeback “market by market” as it works to rebuild franchises in Spain and Portugal following a series of international closures.

Why public relations is thriving in today’s global marketing mix

PR isn't just about spinning a yarn; it's about weaving a brand's story into the fabric of society and it’s still as relevant to success today as it always was.

BRAND NEWS

B&Q has unveiled a new refurbished range and expanded its tool-hire service

B&Q has unveiled a new range of refurbished products and expanded its tool-hire service as it looks to increase affordability and minimise waste.

M&S launches Christmas recruitment drive

Marks & Spencer will be recruiting over 11,000 new customer assistants to work in its UK stores over the Christmas period, 1,000 more than last year.

Multi-dealer designer vintage fashion store opens at Westfield Stratford

Known Source, the home to a curated selection of archival fashion dealers, has opened its first permanent store at Westfield Stratford City.

Grown Alchemist to open debut UK store

Australian beauty retailer Grown Alchemist is opening its first store in the UK in November in Soho, and will be the brand’s first store outside of Melbourne, Australia.

Primark launches biggest ever Breast Cancer Awareness collection

Primark has launched its biggest-ever range of products to provide support and comfort for those affected by breast cancer in the UK to mark Breast Cancer Awareness month this October.

Reiss launches collaboration with Les 100 Ciels

Premium British retailer Reiss has launched an exclusive 40-piece collection with French contemporary brand Les 100 Ciels.

Trinny London to open concessions in John Lewis stores

Trinny London has struck a retail partnership with John Lewis and will be available in seven stores across the UK and on the department store’s website.

AND FINALLY

Burberry launches a scarf made from lab-grown Brewed Protein fibre

British heritage fashion house Burberry has launched a scarf using innovative new material, Brewed Protein fibre, developed by Japanese biotech firm Spiber.

PRSHOTS TOP 10 SEARCHES

What were our users searching for on PRShots Week ending September 27^th 2024?

1/ AW24

2/ Halloween

3/ Christmas

4/ Leopard

5/ Bedroom

6/ Bauble

7/ Dress

8/ Coat

9/ Garland  

10/ Pets

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.

Marté was founded by Victoria Angus after 20 years working in the footwear industry. Her brand’s mission is centred around Labour rights, freedom of association and freedom from discrimination, along with forward-thinking movements on environmental impact and a drive to sustainability.

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

Oliver Bonas has new AW24 womenswear drops for October.

Monsoon has new bags, shoes, jewellery and accessories, new womenswear for special occasions and children’s Christmas-themed and winter accessories, plus children’s and womenswear ranges for AW24.

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

Primark has a new Pau Eche range of AW24 womenswear and accessories, new menswear, makeup, athleisure wear, Halloween outfits, accessories and makeup, and a Beetlejuice movie tie-in, new kids outfits, Leopard print ranges, and a Rita Ora collaboration.

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

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.

Barbour has a Alexa Natalie collaboration, new Flower Mountain collaboration of trainers and clothes, new menswear, plus Modern Heritage ranges of menswear and womenswear for AW24.

Matalan has Christmas women’s eveningwear, 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.

Peacocks has new Christmas jumpers and fashion, 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, Halloween clothing, an AW range with Vernon Kay and AJ Odudu, autumn lingerie, clothing, accessory and jewellery ranges from Autograph, M&S, Jaeger and 3^rd parties for him and her.

Very has a new Michelle Keegan collaboration, new V by Very ranges, Quiet Luxury ranges of womenswear, Everyday, V by Very Curve as well as occasion wear.

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.

Iolla has the latest ranges of glasses for him and her.

Betty&Biddy has new jewellery ranges.

River Island has new faux leather and leather ranges, a new range of red and burgundy RI womenswear and accessories, plus menswear and womenswear for the autumn, plus leopard prints.

Accessorize has new AW24 ranges of bags, jewellery and scarves.

Regatta has new Family Fashion ranges for outdoor wear for women, men and kids for AW24.

Threadbare has a new British Adventure range of womenswear.

Celtic &Co has new statement looks for women.

New Look has new ranges of womenswear including coats, jumpers, skirts and tops.

Scamp & Dude has new womenswear and accessories including t-shirts, bags and scarves, plus news kids ranges, and women's wear ranges for relaxing at home.

Fatface has new Autumn ranges of mens, womens and kidswear and accessories including boots, slippers, perfumes and soaps, scarves, hats, bags and a new jewellery range.

John Lewis has new AW24 menswear and womenswear collections from its Kin, Anyday and JLP collections and new kids wear for AW24.

See additional new clothing and accessories images from

Joe Browns Dune London Mens Rebecca Rhoades Cayo National Trust shop Curvy Kate

Home, garden and food

Online Home Shop has new hot water bottles, mirrors, cuddle cushions, shaped pillows and bolsters, a selection of bar stools, new Autumn and Winter bedding ranges and themed hoodie blankets for all occasions.

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

Marks & Spencer has new Fearne Cotton Happy Place range, Christmas homeware including tableware, soft furnishings, candles and  diffusers, Christmas decorations, homeware and bedding ranges, Halloween decorations and a new homeware collaboration with designer Kelly Hoppen.

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

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.

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.

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.

Nest has new Hay collections of lighting and homeware.

Cult Furniture has new sofas, armchairs, TV stands and tables, Arbor kitchen furniture, Bourton office furniture, Boucle and Eco Edit range for indoors.

Next has new Chic, Scandi Collection, Rustic Romance homeware ranges for AW24 including gifts, lighting, furniture and vases, it also has Christmas decorations, gifts and soft furnishings.

See additional new home images from

Home Bargains Sandberg Wallpaper John Lewis BHF Designers Guild National Trust shop Oliver Bonas Arran Sense of Scotland Cutter & Squidge Very The Gluttonous Gardener Dunelm

DIARY

PRShots Retail Calendar Alerts

Days until Halloween – 28

Days until Black Friday – 57

Days until Christmas – 83
 

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 - Wool Week (29^th Sep – 5^th  Oct), Gran Canaria Swim Week (2^nd- 6^th), British Beauty Week (23^rd-27^th)

Work Life Week (7^th- 11^th)

National Curry Week (7^th-13^th - TBC)

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

3^rd – Mean Girl’s Day (apparently, it’s a thing right!!)

3^rd – Navaratri Starts (Hindu holiday)

3^rd – National Poetry Day 

4^th – National Vodka Day (US)

4^th – World Animal Day

5^th – UN World Teachers’ Day

6^th – World Smile Day

6^th – Harvest Festival (Sunday nearest to the harvest moon)

6^th - National Plus Size Appreciation Day

7^th – National LED Light Day

10^th – UN World Mental Health Day

10^th – National Cake Decorating Day

11^th – Yom Kippur 

11^th – National Coming Out Day (UK/US)

12^th – Navaratri Ends (Hindu holiday)

12^th – Vijayadashami/Dussehra Hindu festival 

13^th – National Yorkshire Pudding Day (US)

13^th – National No Bra Day

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). 

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