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PRShots Roundup brings you the latest retail news from Castore, Dune, Etsy, ebay, Prada, Sainsbury’s, Regatta, Frasers, Harvey Nichols, Next, Me & Em, John Lewis and M&S. Plus, learn how to connect, harness and scale up your data, how to achieve successful cross-border growth and more.  

THE LATEST RETAIL INDUSTRY NEWS

Castore investments dent profits, but sales are surging

Castore turnover to Feb 2024 was up 65% to £190m with a loss before tax of £28.89m down from a profit of £14.67m in the previous year, in what it described as a “landmark year.”

Dune maintains sales despite tough backdrop that impacted profits

Dune London’s parent company Dune Topco results to the end of January show turnover up to just under £142m from £141.5m and EBITDA fell to £4.9m from £10.9m.

Etsy beats quarterly estimates

Etsy Q3 gross merchandise sales (GMS) hit $2.92bn above analysts' estimates of $2.89bn, and posted revenues of $662.4m, compared with analysts' expectations of $652.5m.

ebay falls after projecting lacklustre sales

ebay Q3 gross merchandise volume (GMV) was up 2% to $18.3bn - beating the average estimate of $18.1bn – with revenue up 3% to $2.58bn.

Prada Group defies luxury slowdown with sales up double-digits

Prada Group has reported a 15% increase in revenue to €3.8bn for the nine months ending 30 Sept with growth in Asia Pacific (9%), Japan (40%), Middle East (24%), Americas (7%) and Europe (16%).

Sainsbury’s sells Argos credit card portfolio in £720m deal

Sainsbury’s has agreed to sell its Argos credit card portfolio NewDay Group as it continues to offload its banking services.

October footfall declined as consumers remain cautious ahead of Black Friday spending

Footfall across all destinations fell by 0.6% in October compared with September due to factors including bad weather, a shift in school holidays and consumer caution ahead of the budget.

Mike Ashley’s Frasers ups stake in Boohoo

Mike Ashley’s Frasers Group has upped its stake in Boohoo again and now has a 27.04% stake up from 26.18%.

Regatta results hit by ERP investment

Regatta turnover was down slightly to £286.2m during the year from £289m with underlying EBITDA of £15.87m, down from £20.2m.

Sales up but profit down at Jigsaw

Jigsaw sales for the year to Jan 27^th were up by 2.3% to £57.5m, but profits fell which was described as “disappointing” but “work is underway to deliver improvements.”

ASA bans ‘irresponsible’ and ‘misleading’ ads by Boots and Wickes

The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has banned a pair of ads by for Boots No.7 and Wickes for being ‘irresponsible’ and ‘misleading’ respectively.

TRENDS, SUSTAINABILITY, STRATEGY AND TECHNOLOGY

Learn how to connect, harness and scale up your data

Retail businesses having one holistic view of all data was once seen as an unreachable holy grail. Not anymore. New technologies are enabling meaningful and scalable data strategies.

How to achieve successful cross-border growth

Retailers have nothing to fear from setting up shop in new territories, if they follow a tried and tested partnership route that favours local knowledge, automation and teamwork.

Why premium buyers are embracing vintage fashion

The secondary luxury market is experiencing unprecedented growth as vintage fashion emerges as a significant force in the premium retail sector.

PEOPLE, MOVERS AND SHAKERS

Ocado names new chair with tech and international experience

Online grocer Ocado has appointed a new chair with a background in the technology industry and international businesses.

BRAND NEWS

Next stakes claim in premium fashion market with Seasons launch

Next is making an ambitious move into the premium fashion segment with the launch of Seasons, a new high-end multi-brand online platform.

Me & Em debuts London flagship

Luxury womenswear brand Me & Em has opened its eighth UK store, in London's Marylebone Village, which is its first official flagship shop.  

M&S and Sienna Miller unveil second collaboration

Marks & Spencer has unveiled its second collection with British actress Sienna Miller, featuring party-inspired winter pieces.

Poundland increases range of products priced at £1 and below

Poundland is to increase the number of items available at £1 or below from around 1,000 to 1,500 in all its UK stores.

John Lewis and Dunnhumby unveil real-time customer insight platform

John Lewis Partnership and customer data specialist Dunnhumby have launched a new insights platform designed to provide real-time insights to partner brands as well as to the retailer.

Harvey Nichols delves into resale with Luxury Promise

Harvey Nichols has joined forces with Luxury Promise, a pre-owned designer marketplace, to offer a selection of second-hand accessories dating back to the 1990s and 2000s.

AND FINALLY x2

Russia fines Google more than world's entire GDP

Google has reportedly racked up a fine of more than two undecillion Rubles - two followed by 36 zeros - after it removed state-run and pro-government accounts from YouTube.

Sir Paul Smith to deck the Christmas tree at Claridge’s in London

Sir Paul Smith will design the Christmas tree at Claridge’s this season, with the designer choosing the bird house as his theme, because it’s “friendly, optimistic, and a symbol of home.”

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

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.

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

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.

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

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 new Curve and Dusk campaign ranges of womenswear for cosy evenings and big events, new nightwear ranges with pyjamas and cosy dressing gowns, Petite range, new Ariella and Dusk ranges, plus floral outfits, and Roman Petite.

Deichmann has new lifestyle imagery of its new shoes, boots, slippers and bags.

Primark has going out shoes, boots and bags for women, 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.

Shoe Zone has women's slippers and men's boots.

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

Matalan has a new collaboration with Paddington and 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.

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, the Dress the Nation range with Vernon Kay and AJ Odudu.

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

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.

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.

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. 

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

See additional new clothing and accessories images from

Betty&Biddy Threadbare Oliver Bonas Shoe Zone Iolla Regatta John Lewis Joe Browns

Home, garden and food

The Gluttonous Gardener has Christmas gifts for keen cooks and budding chefs.

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

Sofology has new SS25 Westwood ranges of sofas, chairs and recliners.

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

Habitat has new made to measure upholstery collections of sofas and chairs 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.

Fritz Fryer has lamps and lights for every room in the home.

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 things for the home.

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

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. 

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.

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

Dobbies Garden Centres has new Christmas ranges including food and drink, trees, decorations and gifts for pets, RHS branded garden gift 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 food gift ideas from hampers to treats.

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

See additional new home images from

Hobbycraft Jan Constantine Cambridge Imprint DFS Joe Browns Nest Cult Furniture Next Sandberg Wallpaper

DIARY

PRShots Retail Calendar Alerts

Days until Black Friday – 29

Days until Christmas – 55

Days until Valentine’s Day – 106

Days until Easter - 171
 

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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