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PRShots Roundup brings you the latest retail news from Next, Castore, ThredUp, Chemist Warehouse, Kingfisher, Belstaff, Hamleys, Lidl, Pret a Manger and M&S. Plus, how Joybuy expects to shake up the UK online market, why 4 in 10 brands are invisible on TikTok search and more.
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THE LATEST RETAIL INDUSTRY NEWS
Next outperforms again and raises profit guidance
Next’s Q1 trading statement said full-price sales were up 6.2% on last year as a result of “exceptionally strong growth” of 11.8% in the first five weeks of the financial year.
Castore has received a £90m lending facility from its banking partners and will use it to drive new retail openings in the UK and to support international expansion in the Middle East and Asia.
Zalando cites AI and About You integration for double-digit revenue increase
Zalando Q1 results show group revenues up 23.8% to €3bn as its acquisition of About You and its growing use of AI helped boost performance.
Next to raise overseas prices due to Middle East conflict
Next has said it will implement “moderate” price increases in some international territories and pair them with “operational cost savings”.
E-marketplaces make up £34bn of UK retail spend
Online marketplaces now account for £34bn of UK retail spend with the resale market driving a surge in listings, with annual sector sales set to hit £4.8bn.
ThredUp sales surge 15% on record new buyers
ThredUp announced sales for Q1 grew 15% to $81.7m, as the US resale platform logged a record month for new buyers on its website.
Pinterest forecasts upbeat quarterly revenue
Pinterest forecasts Q2 revenue to be between $1.13-1.15bn - above analysts' estimates - helped by steady spending from advertisers and deeper artificial intelligence integration.
LVMH weighs sale of Marc Jacobs and Fenty Beauty stake
LVMH is reportedly exploring the sale of several fashion, beauty and drinks brands as the luxury giant looks to sharpen its focus amid weaker demand across the sector.
BRC urges government action as retailers warn Middle East conflict will push up food prices
The British Retail Consortium has urged the government to act on costs as retailers warn that disruption linked to the Middle East conflict will feed through into higher prices for shoppers.
Big grocers demand crackdown on Aldi and Lidl store expansion loophole
Sainsbury’s, Morrisons and Iceland have responded to a CMA consultation on how restrictive land clauses apply to Aldi and Lidl.
Chemist Warehouse to enter UK through Green Light pharmacy joint venture
Australian pharmacy Chemist Warehouse is to expand into the UK through a new joint venture between owner Sigma Healthcare and the Green Light pharmacy group.
TRENDS, SUSTAINABILITY, STRATEGY AND TECHNOLOGY
How Joybuy expects to shake up the UK online market
“We’re here to shake up the UK e-commerce market,” says Matthew Nobbs, the UK boss of Joybuy which is spearheading a European charge by China’s version of Amazon.
Why 4 in 10 brands are invisible on TikTok search
New research on 1,068 analysed retail brands by PerformanceMarketingWorld, found only 135 appeared at all in TikTok search results.
Retailers must prioritise packaging personalisation to transform transient shoppers
As consumers increasingly shop around, Hayley Simon, head of Staci Create, looks at how to unlock the power of packaging to build brand loyalty and encourage repeat spending.
Gen X is the most sustainable generation
The most sustainable generation is Gen X, with 39% of shoppers recycling and giving preference to ecological brands, beating Gen Z.
The forces reshaping the shift to second-hand fashion and lifestyle
The expansion of the second-hand fashion market is being shaped by powerful cultural, economic, technological and regulatory currents and understanding these drivers is crucial to all retailers.
Why Frasers is making a play in outlet centres
The retailer aims to succeed by being both landlord and store operator in outlet centres, the best of which have proved to be resilient and successful destinations.
Careful consumers shopping for the 'essential, convenient or low-risk'
UK consumers are still spending, but they’re becoming more selective in where, when and why, finds the Cardlytics latest ‘State of Spend’ report, taken from data from 23m UK bank customers.
Young people reluctant to try new products as finances tighten
New research has verified what many retailers already suspect or know to be true – rising prices are forcing customers to be more cautious with their spending.
2025 UK retail space reduction was first in many decades
Despite a wealth of reports showing retailers expanding their physical footprints with new and/or larger stores, UK retail space is actually shrinking “for the first time since the 1940s”.
PEOPLE, MOVERS AND SHAKERS
Kingfisher CEO Thierry Garnier to step down after nearly seven years
Kingfisher has announced that chief executive Thierry Garnier is set to step down after nearly seven years leading the home improvement group.
Belstaff CEO departs after one year
Belstaff Chief Executive Officer, Kerry Byrne, has stepped down from the role after one year. He joined the business - bought by Castore in Aug 2025 - in 2021 as Head of Merchandising.
BRAND NEWS
Pret A Manger launches first-ever drive-thru
Pret A Manger has opened its first-ever drive-thru location in Warrington, marking a key expansion into roadside and travel hubs.
Lidl has launched a new rewards system via its Lidl Plus app, the Lidl Plus Points enables customers to access benefits such as free or discounted products and money off vouchers.
Hamleys ramps up travel retail push
Hamleys is set to boost its presence across UK transport hubs with two new openings at Liverpool Street Station and Heathrow Terminal 2.
Holland & Barrett expands weight-management offer
Holland & Barrett has partnered with Scottish online pharmacist Phlo to broaden its weight-management offer for customers.
M&S pivots to ‘by eye’ bra fitting
Marks & Spencer has pivoted its bra fitting consultations to be carried out "by eye", rather than with use of a tape measure.
AND FINALLYx2
A new wave of startups is helping people opt out of high-street surveillance, from Faraday bags to AI-evading fashion; it’s the new fashion privacy gold rush.
Marmite campaign sparks divided reaction
Marmite’s latest outdoor campaign has divided UK consumers, with new research showing the ads sparked far higher levels of disgust than average.
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PRSHOTS TOP 10 SEARCHES
What were our users searching for on PRShots Week ending May 1st 2026?
1/ SS26
2/ Bikini
3/ Swimsuit
4/ Beach
5/ Sunglasses
6/ Bag
7/ Sandals
8/ Garden
9/ Dress
10/ Denim
PRSHOTS DIARY
PRShots Retail Calendar Alerts
Days until Father’s Day – 46
Days until School Summer holidays (Scotland) - 57
Days until School Summer holidays (England & Wales) – 77
Days until Halloween – 178
Days until Black Friday – 205
Days until Christmas – 233
How to get your brand and products on the May editorial calendars, higher up on search and AI engines and in social media
Our May PR toolkit and content calculator is here to help PRs and marketers forward-plan campaigns and pitches armed with some timely and topical angles, plus it’s a checklist for potential campaign hooks.
We’re now well into Spring, and there are two long bank holiday weekends to enjoy this month, and with a bit of luck, we’ll have great weather for at least one of them.
To get the best chance for a download, add images that are related to the summer, and make sure they’re accompanied by any keywords relating to being out of the house and into the garden and the great outdoors, including garden, garden parties, barbecues (don’t forget to add all of the other spellings BBQ, Bar-B-Que, etc.) picnics, outdoors.
Summer holidays are on the horizon, so campaign images that include the beach or the outside world will be used. Upload any images you have of summer outfits, holiday clothes, festival clothes, sandals, beachwear, swimsuits, bikinis, linen, and sandals.
While some people are looking to holidays abroad, some are considering destinations closer to home, so add in keywords and phrases like “staycation”, “holistay”, “holiday at home” to your keywords and why not suggest clothing like throws, fleeces and cardigans, plus from homeware blankets and rugs, for the colder UK evenings.
May is also the start of wedding season, so if you have any wedding-related items, then get ready to promote them along with any wedding keywords, bridal, bride, groom, hen party, stag do, 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.
This month sees the start of the FIFA World Cup Final which is hosted in US, Mexico and Canada and starts on the 11th June at the 87,000 capacity Estadio Azteca in Mexico City (Scotland’s first match is June 13th and England starts on June 17th) and carries on to the final match on the 19th July in the 82,000 capacity MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Tag anything football-related with the keywords ”World Cup.”
If you’re looking for more hooks to help promote your brand and products, then see the list of days, weeks and fortnights below.
May Diary - Weeks/Months
May is National Walking Month, National Smile Month (12th May – 12th Jun Changes), and Skin Cancer Awareness Month.
It’s also:
Small Business Week US – (May 3rd - 9th)
Dementia UK Time for a Cuppa Week (1st-8th)
National Doughnut Week (16th – 24th)
National Stationery Week (11th –17th )
Cannes Film Festival (12th – 23rd )
Sandwich Week (18th – 24th)
RHS Chelsea Flower Show (19th – 23rd)
National Barbeque Week (25th – 31st )
May - Days
7th – World Password Day
8th – VE day
9th – Europe Day
25th – Whit Monday / Pentecost
10th – Searches of Prom dresses peak
10th – Mother’s Day (US and Australia)
11th- World Fairtrade Day
12th – International Nurses Day
13th – World Cocktail Day
14th – Ascension Day
15th – International Day of Families
15th - BBQ searches rise
16th – Eurovision Final in Basel Switzerland
16th – World Whisky Day
16th - Men’s FA Cup Final
20th – World Bee Day
21st – International Tea Day
21st – Shavuot
22nd – World Goth Day
22rd - UEFA Women's Champions League final
22nd – Craft Distillery Day (US)
25th – Spring Bank Holiday
25th - Geek Pride Day
25th – National Wine Day (US)
25th – Camping-related searches rise
25th – Memorial Day
29th – National Biscuit Day
30th – BBQ searches peak
30th - UEFA Champions League Final
31st – Women’s FA Cup Final
For more diary dates for this year see the Marketing Retail Diary
NB - All dates have been checked, but some events may change due to unforeseen circumstances or have not been fully confirmed for 2026 by the authorities controlling the event(s).
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NEW BRANDS ON PRSHOTS
Sir Jacobs was founded by Neil and Stephan Jacobs, who left behind careers in law and digital product design to pursue something creative, tactile and more personal. Their vision? To bring together the worlds of ceramics and fragrance — turning everyday objects into something truly special.
Neem London produces sustainable, stylish and classic menswear pieces with low emissions, and is the goto label for “hot dads”. Founded in 2020 by a menswear designer with a background in big high-street labels the label features items for both work and leisure and has gone from strength to strength since launch.
IVXII jewellery is designed in the UK and handcrafted in India, with each piece using lab grown Polki Diamonds with no two diamonds alike each item is unique. The current range includes limited edition bracelets and necklaces.
BRANDS WITH NEW IMAGES
Clothing, beauty and accessories
Very has a new Very collection, new children’s Hello Kitty and Disney clothing ranges, new footwear, accessory and makeup ranges, womenswear and menswear ranges for the summer holidays, new denim ranges and a new collaboration with Adidas.
Matalan has new women’s summer clothing including dresses, jump suits, halter tops and vests, a new Riveria range of menswear, a new Prairie range of womenswear and accessories for SS26, a new floral range of clothes and accessories.
River Island has new images from the Royal Society of Arts (RSA) Student Design Awards, plus a new Del Marr collaboration of beachwear, a Terry De Havilland collaboration of beachwear, accessories, shoes and jewellery, new Abbie Rosie and Enid Blyton bag collaborations.
Oliver Bonas has new shoes from Birkenstock, summer clothing and accessory ranges, new jewellery launches, new summer fashion lines, plus May drops of hats, sunglasses, socks, shoes, sandals, clothing, bags and accessories.
Primark has a new Love to Lounge range of nightwear and Owning the Summer kids clothing, beauty accessories, new Pau Eche (Paula Echevarría) collaborations of clothing, shoes, accessories and jewellery, plus outfits for the beach, Devil Wears Prada collaborations.
Scamp & Dude has new jumpers, jackets and hoodies, a new collaboration with trainer/sports shoe brand Gola.
Threadbare has new ranges of shorts, dresses, waistcoats, jumpers and jackets for the summer plus nightwear.
Bonmarché has a new Lorraine loves range, Dash range of womenswear, new summer outfits, beachwear, including dresses, tops, bikinis, swimsuits, shirts and shorts, plus women’s wear for the summer holidays modelled by Lisa Snowdon.
Iolla has new ranges of its sunglasses for men and women, the latest ranges for the summer holiday season feature custom tints in all the colours of the rainbow.
Monsoon has a new collaboration with Charlie Taylor Bonnie, new spring womenswear and kids clothing for May and June, along with jewellery, new linen and denim women's wear and accessory ranges, plus new ranges of shoes, bags, scarves and sunglasses.
Cotton Traders has a new collaboration of summer outfits with Jasmine Harman.
TK Maxx has a spring summer range of men and women's clothing, shoes, boots plus women’s accessories including handbags, bags, purses and wallets.
Accessorize has new women’s and kids summer holiday wear including dresses, bikinis, shirts, jewellery, shoes, hats and bags.
New Look has new season outfits, jewellery and accessories and drops of SS26 ranges including clothes, bags, shoes, boots and accessories.
Peacocks has new Danni Dyer modelled womenswear for the holidyas and the beach, new accessories for the summer, including bags, sunglasses, jewellery and sandals, new lingerie and nightwear, new Lousie Redknapp SS26 ranges.
Deichmann has new ranges of summer shoes and sandals plus new Converse ranges.
F&F has new womenswear collections for the summer including, bikinis, swimsuits, and day and evening wear for the summer holidays.
Regatta has a new extensive range of everyday womenswear for all occasions, and new Orla Kiely collaboration of jackets, dresses and coats.
Barbour has a new Farm Rio collaboration, new Chelsea Flower Show dressing ranges, a new Icons range, a Paul Smith Collaboration, a Heritage+ range plus a collaboration with Feng Chen Wang, new jumpers and bags.
M&S has a new menswear range, a new 300-piece Body range of lingerie, a new Gillian Anderson collaboration, new Autograph lingerie and nightwear ranges, new menswear ranges, new SS26 accessories, jewellery, shoes and bags.
Dune has new bags and shoes for SS26.
Busby & Fox has new linen smart and casual wear for the summer holidays, including trousers, dresses and jackets, plus a range of chunky cardigans.
Fatface has new womenswear ranges for the summer holidays from bathing suits to cardigans for cooler evenings.
National Trust has new collaborations with clothing and accessory ranges for the outdoors for men and women from Craghoppers.
See additional new clothing and accessories images from
Home, garden and food
Dobbies Garden Centres has new summer pots and things for garden barbecues and eating outside, from lighting to tabletop firepits to climbing frames, plus garden pots and grow your own solutions for spring, and all the tools needed for the spring planting spree.
Hobbycraft has gift ideas for Father’s Day, craft ideas and accessories for the summer from cake decorations to Wedding gifts and decoration ideas.
Cambridge Imprint has new cotton ribbons, small pocket books, kitchen trays, exercise and hardback books, notebooks, new Clamshell and Dandelion patterned paper, plus patterned paper.
Primark has new Chillis range of homeware, new luggage and storage solutions, Island Heat ranges of homeware, new homeware including decorations, vases, soft furnishings, candles, diffusers and kitchenware.
National Trust has new garden furniture, new gifts, food and gardening ranges, new homeware, new shed ranges, new garden furniture with new Oxleys and Sitting Spiritually collaborations and new glasshouses.
TK Maxx has home gifts for Father’s Day.
Very has new Very Collection of soft furnishings and ranges of outdoor furniture, a new Revive outdoor furniture and soft furnishings collection, plus a new Very collection of furniture, wall art and storage solutions.
Homesense has new art-related gifts and barbecue and picnic items for the summer months.
Jellycat has new ranges of amuseables for 2026 including Bartholomew Bear, Ricky Rain Frog, Zumblebi Junior.
Designers Guild has new SS26 soft furnishing design ranges including cushions, rugs and throws.
M&S has everything you need for a picnic and outdoor food, a new Kelly Hoppen collaboration and furniture and homeware collections, and new homeware ranges for the spring and summer.
The Orchard has new furniture for the home, garden structures, new lounge, dining room and bedroom interior ranges including beds, sideboards, dressers, sofas, lighting, shelving, benches and more.
Joe Browns has updated its SS26 home range with more ideas for every room in the home including bedding, furniture, vases, candlesticks, glassware, bowls, lamps, serving bowls and trays, storage solutions and knick-knacks.
The Gluttonous Gardener has new Father’s Day gifting suggestions.
B&M has a holiday shop range of kids’ beach toys, tech, bags and luggage, a Great Outdoors range including camping gear and everything for the garden from solar lights to cushions, new limited edition Isle Life range of homeware.
See additional new home images from
Ivyline Home Bargains Oliver Bonas
WANT TO GET YOUR IMAGERY IN FRONT OF OVER 20,000 MEDIA?
If you’re a brand looking to get your imagery on PRShots then get in touch with our sales team at sales@prshots.com We have solutions and pricing for all sizes and types of business from small startups to large multi-nationals, with prices starting at just £50 a month.
GET PRSHOTS PULSE SOCIAL LISTENING SOLUTION
The new Pulse Social listening tool from our sister brand PressArea allows you to track and trace mentions of your brand and competitors and put those insights to work to gain real benefits.
SUBSCRIBE TO THIS NEWSLETTER
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NEWSLETTER SECTIONS
THE LATEST RETAIL INDUSTRY NEWS
HOW TO GET YOUR BRAND NOTICED BY THE MEDIA
NEW IMAGERY ON PRSHOTS IN FASHION/BEAUTY/HOME
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