Main Image: Primark

PRShots Roundup brings you the latest retail news from Watches of Switzerland, Frasers, Card Factory, Aldi, Debenhams, Pleasing, Ocado, Swarovski, SpaceNK and M&S. Plus, six things to look for in a B2B influencer, what lessons can be to learnt from Black Friday 2024 and more.  

THE LATEST RETAIL INDUSTRY NEWS

Watches of Switzerland profits fall despite strong US demand

Watches of Switzerland sales were up 4% to £785m in its H1 to Oct 27 with EBIT down 9% to £66m, due to acquisition-related costs and integration efforts.

Frasers lowers profit outlook as sales slide

Frasers Group sales fell 8% to £2.54bn in the quarter to Oct 27 and pre-tax profit fell 33% to £207.2m, due to a decrease in foreign exchange and the decline in the Hugo Boss share price.

Cash payments remain vital for retailers and customers

The BRC Payments Survey shows while card payments remain the main form of retail payment, cash has proved to be important in budgeting, with a rise in transactions up by 1.1% from last year.

Card Factory makes strategic acquisition in the US

Card Factory has acquired Garven Holdings, a US company specialising in the design and wholesale of gifts and celebration essentials, for $25m.

Aldi has opened four new stores in one day as it eyes further UK expansion

Discounter Aldi is set to open four new stores on the same day, as it continues its UK store expansion drive.

Warpaint London to acquire beauty specialist Brand Architekts

Warpaint London has announced the acquisition of fellow beauty brand specialist Brand Architekts for £13.9m.

Debenhams turns profit

Debenhams sales in the year to 29 Feb dropped from £87.1m to £39.73m, however gross merchandise value rose 65% to £359.69m with a pre-tax profit of £3.27m up from a £721k loss.

Amazon sees ‘biggest Black Friday shopping event ever’

Amazon said its 12-day Black Friday and Cyber Monday seasonal sale was its largest to date, with record sales and a record number of items sold.

Ocado has passed a sales milestone as Christmas nears

 Ocado has notched up its best-ever number of weekly orders as shoppers prepare for Christmas.

Machine-A sold by Tomorrow

London-based designer independent Machine-A has been sold by brand accelerator Tomorrow to a group of private investors, with founder Stavros Karelis remaining in the business.

TRENDS, SUSTAINABILITY, STRATEGY AND TECHNOLOGY

Six things to look for in a B2B influencer

Martech explores news LinkedIn research which drills down on the traits to look for when selecting B2B influencers to work with.

What lessons does Black Friday offer for the Christmas campaigns?

Based on the results of Black Friday 2024, what are the emerging trends in consumer behaviour and how can these be applied to your Christmas campaigns.

Your 8-step response plan to a social media crisis

When it comes to social media crisis communication, it’s all in the planning. Hootsuite helps you make sure you’re prepared well before issues arise.

What do conversational assistants mean for brands?

Conversational assistants powered by generative AI are increasingly prevalent. How should brands approach the opportunities – and challenges – they present?

Social media and BNPL boosted Cyber Week sales

Social media related sales were up 32% and BigCommerce customers saw a 10% increase in Buy Now, Pay Later purchases this Cyber Week when compared to last year.

BRAND NEWS

Swarovski to enter beauty market under new long-term agreement with Coty

Coty has signed a new long-term licensing agreement to develop, produce, and distribute a "new vision of fragrances" with world-renowned crystal house Swarovski.

M&S opens a clothing and beauty-only store

M&S’s has opened a clothing and beauty-only store at Battersea Power Station mall marking a major change in strategy for the retail giant.

Primark opens first new concept store in UK with Bolton debut

Primark has opened its second new concept store in Bolton, it’s the first location in the UK to feature its new concept of a smaller-sized store, with the only other store in Portugal.

Pleasing and JW Anderson unveil fashion and beauty collab

The harry Styles-founded brand Pleasing and the label named after multi-award winner Jonathan Anderson have just unveiled a collaboration “born out of a fashion-fuelled friendship”.

Space NK opens at centre:mk

Space NK has opened its flagship store at Milton Keynes’ centre:mk as the premium beauty retailer continues to expand in strategic locations across the UK and Ireland.

Ugg returns for another Palace collab

Southern California footwear brand Ugg and London-based skateboarding and clothing brand Palace have launched their third collaboration.

AND FINALLY

Anna Wintour launches immersive theatre fashion show

The Anna Wintour curated “Vogue: Inventing the Runway” theatre show sees famous fashion shows from the past recreated at London’s Lightroom and all narrated by Cate Blanchett.

PRSHOTS TOP 10 SEARCHES

What were our users searching for on PRShots Week ending November 29^th 2024?

1/ Christmas

2/ AW24

3/ Leopard

4/ SS25

5/ Cushion

6/ Sequin

7/ Candle

8/ Home

9/ Dress  

10/ Jumper

NEW BRANDS TO PRSHOTS

Ernest Jones the jewellers came from modest beginnings, launched in 1949 it has grown from a single store in London's Oxford Street to a national chain of 100+ jewellery stores.

H Samuel is a jeweller with a long history. Started in 1862 the brand continues to this day with a mix of jewellery and watches, that are affordable and feature trend-led styles.

Curlsmith was launched in 2018 and has gone from strength to strength. It was born out of a community of people with textured hair sharing their haircare tips, home remedies and frustrations with products on the market not made specifically for their needs and has grown into a product range sold worldwide.

Frangipani was established in 2010 and produces men’s shirts and accessories crafted from high-quality materials and featuring bold prints or subtle contrasts. With each shirt embodying a perfect balance of comfort and elegance.

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.

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

Matalan has a new transitional style edit, menswear collaboration with Taylor & Wright, new last-minute Christmas gifts, transitional ranges, Valentine pyjamas, a new Disney and Lilo and Stitch Stitchmas collaboration, a menopause lingerie range plus a new collaboration with The Lion King and Marvel.

Dune London has new shoes, bags and accessories for early 2025.

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.

Fable England has new Christmas accessories and core jewellery ranges.

M&S has new thermal shaping bodies, wellness products for January, menswear and womenswear from its Christmas adverts, a Bella Freud bag collaboration, the Christmas beauty advent calendar, party outfits for all the family, Christmas clothing, accessories and lingerie sets.

Bonmarché has new Christmas outfits, jumpers and partywear, lingerie ranges, new jewellery plus accessory ranges.

National Trust has new clothing and accessories including socks, hats, jewellery, scarves, bags and sunglasses for SS25.

Very has new V by very ranges of clothes and footwear including metallics, sequins and faux fur, a new Michelle Keegan collaboration, new Grinch-themed pyjamas for all the family, stocking filler accessories, and partywear ranges.

Barbour has new ranges of clothing and accessories for SS25 for men and women and new range of gift accessories for Christmas.

John Lewis has new Dream Dress Edit featuring Whistles, Sister Jane, Reiss, Phase Eight and more  clothing ranges for women, plus clothing and accessory gift ideas for all ages for Christmas.

Primark a new Rita Ora occasion wear collaboration of clothing, a new accessory and ski range plus new shoes, bags, jewellery and accessories, and new tie-ups with Wicked and The Grinch.

River Island has new spring lookbook images a Christmas Gift Guide and Christmas jumpers, plus new Premium and Winter Reds collections, along with party outfits and accessories for the Christmas season for men, women and children.

Oliver Bonas has new February uploads of jewellery, women’s clothing, bags, shoes and accessories as well as new ranges for the New Year and SS25.

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

Roman Originals has more AW24 imagery, new Petite, Curve and Dusk campaign ranges of womenswear for cosy evenings and big events, new nightwear ranges with pyjamas and cosy dressing gowns.

Cotton Traders has new SS25 outfits, Christmas jumpers, cosy womenswear and menswear for AW24 including jumpers, cardigans and coats.

TK Maxx has SS25 clothing, accessory and makeup ranges including crochet outfits, Christmas gift-guides for men, women, kids and pets, plus new menswear and womenswear ranges including coats, jackets and hoodies.

Monsoon has new designer ranges, plus clothes, shoes, boots, bags and accessories for Christmas, new edits for women and kids, bags, shoes, jewellery and accessories.

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.

Fatface has a new Copper & Black range of womenswear, new menswear, and kids clothing, plus Christmas clothing, accessories and jewellery for all the family plus gifts for under £50, plus more AW24 Edit ranges of womenswear. 

Celtic &Co has new Christmas accessories, jumpers and cosy outfits from the winter.

See additional new clothing and accessories images from

Scamp & Dude Peachaus Accessorize London Grace Deichmann Shoe Zone Online Home Shop

Home, garden and food

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

National Trust has new garden furniture ranges for SS25,  gifts for the home and the garden for SS25, plus decorations for Easter.

M&S has new furniture, soft furnishings and kitchenware for SS25, gifts for pets, a new Nordic notes Christmas decoration ranges, National Gallery collaboration, stocking filler Christmas images and new Fearne Cotton Happy Place range.

Homesense has new Christmas gift ideas for family and pets as well as new Christmas decorations.

Online Home Shop has new side tables and chest of drawers, rugs, bedding, foot warmers, hot water bottles, heated pads, body wraps, plus bar stools, mirrors, cuddle cushions, shaped pillows and bolsters.

Oliver Bonas has new furniture and home accessories including mirrors, lighting and tableware for the New Year and SS25.

John Lewis has new home gift ideas for Christmas.

Dunelm has a new Sophie Robinson collaboration and its SS25 range of bedroom and living room furniture, soft furnishings and kitchenware.

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

Fritz Fryer has new antique lighting ranges, kitchen lighting ranges, as well as lamps and lights for every room in the home.

TK Maxx has a new 1960s-inspired summer range of kitchenware and furniture for the office, plus new gifting ranges, a wellness range for the New Year, Christmas gift-guides for the home.

Designers Guild has new Studio Stripes patterns for SS25.

Jan Constantine has new cushions for SS25 and Valentine’s day.

Ivyline has new planters, pots for its indoor living ranges.

Cult Furniture has a new collaboration with Daniela Tasca.

Fatface has a collaboration with homeless charity Shelter, Christmas decorations for the Christmas tree and homeware gifts.

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.

Primark has new Wicked and Grinch themed gifts for kids and pets, furniture, Christmas decorations and homeware gifts, AW24 furniture, homeware, bedding, diffusers and candles.

Matalan has SS25 homeware images for the dining room, bedroom, bathroom and garden, plus Christmas gifts and 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.

Treats by Mars has new Galaxy ranges of hot chocolate. 

Cutter & Squidge has a new boxed cookie range.

See additional new home images from

Hobbycraft The Gluttonous Gardener Arran Sense of Scotland Monsoon Habitat Home Bargains Very B&M Rebel Walls Dobbies Garden Centres Cambridge Imprint

DIARY

PRShots Retail Calendar Alerts

Days until Christmas – 20

Days until Valentine’s Day – 71

Days until Easter - 136
 

How to get your brand in the media in December

Christmas is nearly over by now for the media; there are just a few dailies, weeklies, websites and influencers doing last-minute gift guides for Christmas but for most print media it’s the New Year, and what’s happening in 2025.  

You should be uploading SS25 outfits and home goods for those “A new you for 2025” and “Redecorate for 2025” issues, so athleisure, outdoor healthy sporty images will all be useful, plus anything for the home. 

As always don’t forget to add keywords – New Year, Gifts, Spring, Christmas, Xmas, Holidays, Winter plus all those words beloved of home magazines like cosy, cosiness, hygge, wellbeing.

Clothing wise the media are still looking for going out outfits for Christmas and New Year, so party wear, party dresses, nightwear and also winter clothing like jumpers, scarves, bobble hats, beanies, cardigans, coatigans, jackets, coats are still being looked for. So, make sure that you have plenty of images in those categories uploaded and labelled with as many of those words as you can.

You can also start to look at holiday clothing and outfits for when the weather gets a little warmer so make sure SS25 is flagged on your drops even if they’re not yet available until 2025 – If they’re not on sale until Jan or Feb then use the On Sale date field to flag this up. You can either add a specific date, 2/2/25 or if you’re not sure then you can use the text “available first week in Feb.”  

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.

December Diary - Weeks/Months

December is all about Christmas and New Year events, but it’s also AIDS Awareness Month, Universal Human Rights Month, Decembeard, and No Gender December.

Additionally, the 1st week (2nd-6th) is UK Charity Week, and Kwanzaa (26th - 1st Jan).

December Diary - Days

6^th – St Nicholas Day

7^th – Returns will start to come back from Black Friday sales – be ready for them

7^th – UK Small Business Saturday

10^th – Human Rights Day

12^th – Christmas Jumper Day (See https://www.savethechildren.org.uk/christmas-jumper-day)

18^th – Stilton Day

19^th – National Regifting Day 

21^st – Winter Solstice 

21^st – Super Saturday/Panic Saturday

25^th – Christmas Day

25^th – Hanukkah begins

26^th – Boxing Day

31^st – New Year’s Eve

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).