Main Image: Threadbare

PRShots Roundup brings you the latest retail news from Michael Kors, Sainsbury’s, Clintons, Rixo, Levi’s, Zalando, Dreams, Naia Beach, Gap, MP Activewear and John Lewis. Plus, what went wrong at Asda and can it be fixed, how to optimise your returns process and enhance customer loyalty and more.  

THE LATEST RETAIL INDUSTRY NEWS

Michael Kors to lower prices and close UK stores as sales suffer huge hit

The UK arm of Michael Kors has revealed plans to lower its prices after suffering a significant hit to its sales and has closed shops in Newcastle, Milton Keyes and Manchester.

Sainsbury’s and Royal Mail launch partnership to instal lockers in supermarkets

The Royal Mail and Sainsbury’s have announced a tie-up to install parcel lockers in supermarkets across the UK.

UK shoppers expected to spend over £2bn over Easter

UK shoppers are set to spend over £2bn over the upcoming Easter bank holiday weekend, according to GlobalData research.

​Clintons returns to profit following period of distress

Card and gifting retailer Clintons has returned to profit after a period of distress that included a restructuring plan and store closures.

Rixo's sales rise stalls in latest year

Rixo FY sales to June 2024 dipped to £18.7m from £19m with profit before tax also dropping  to £391,000 from £2.3m after a period of “difficult trading conditions”.

Levi’s beats quarterly sales estimates

Levi’s posted a 3% rise in its reported first quarter revenue, exceeding analysts’ expectations of a 1% loss and is preparing to react to the tariff onslaught.

TRENDS, SUSTAINABILITY, STRATEGY AND TECHNOLOGY

What went wrong at Asda and how can it be fixed?

How did the Issa brothers’ ownership of Asda go so wrong? And what do new chairman Allan Leighton and his team need to do to get the beloved supermarket chain back on track?

How to optimise your returns process and enhance customer loyalty

One of the biggest challenges to selling fashion online, is the borderline unsustainable rate of returns. Experts Reveni and TheIndustry.Fashion show you how to reduce return rates.

Why the competition you’re ignoring is costing you customers

Your biggest competitor may not be who you think. Martech shows you how to uncover the real threats to your revenue.

Why ROI is undermining B2B marketing effectiveness

Measuring ROI at the tactical level is misleading says Martech. It’s time to prove how brand investment delivers meaningful, long-term financial returns.

Zalando snaps up augmented reality specialist DeepAR

Zalando has acquired augmented reality specialist DeepAR to help boost its 3D assets at scale and to incorporate 3D experiences throughout the brand’s platform.

PEOPLE, MOVERS AND SHAKERS

Dreams appoints Feather & Black boss to drive brand’s growth

Dreams has appointed Sarah Morgan to lead its Feather & Black brand as the bed specialist looks to strengthen its premium offering.

BRAND NEWS

Naia Beach launches in John Lewis stores

Luxury swimwear brand and Drapers Independents Awards 2024 winner Naia Beach, co-founded by TV presenter Tess Daly, has launched in six John Lewis stores across the UK.

Gap launches new premium line under Zac Posen

The first collection of US retailer Gap's premium line GapStudio, designed by new creative director Zac Posen, will launch in the UK on 8 April.

Myprotein's activewear line launches in 20 Decathlon stores across the UK

THG-owned MP Activewear has marked its first foray into physical retail with a roll-out to 20 Decathlon stores across the UK from 7 April.

Balenciaga and Scholl launch footwear collaboration

Parisian fashion house Balenciaga has teamed up with Italian heritage brand Scholl to launch a footwear capsule collection.

AND FINALLY

Moncler collaborates with Mercedes

Fashion house Moncler has collaborated with Mercedes on a limited edition G-Class that’s already sold out, however for those on a budget there’s a Hot Wheels version available.  

JOIN THE GREEN GRADS

Green Grads are looking for new recruits and sponsors

Green Grads is a platform for recent UK graduates with ideas to heal the planet and it’s now recruiting for its fifth cohort, with over 200 current grads listed on the website. It’s also a great chance for a brand to show commitment to the environment and sustainability by joining Green Grads expanding cooperative of outward-looking forward-facing stellar British brands by becoming a sponsor. Sponsorship opportunities start with the comparatively modest sum of £500 and current sponsors include such well-known names as Heal's, Anglepoise, Ercol, the Futon Company, Camira and many more. To find out more see http://www.greengrads.co.uk

PRSHOTS TOP 10 SEARCHES

What were our users searching for on PRShots Week ending April 4^th 2025?

1/ SS25

2/ Easter

3/ Garden

4/ Cushion

5/ Outdoor

6/ Denim

7/ Yellow

8/ Shell

9/ Lemon  

10/ Swimsuit

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.

NEW BRANDS TO PRSHOTS

Plia Parasols makes wooden garden parasols, upholstered with luxury outdoor fabrics. Sewn in Cornwall, customers can either plump for one of the in-house designs, or go bespoke and supply their own fabric for a totally unique parasol.

Laura Bond was started by Laura and her husband Doug, and has been independent and family owned since 2019. They create jewellery and specialise in ear and nose piercings and use responsibly sourced or recycled solid gold.

Oriana B.  was launched in 2019 by Dublin-based Londoner Katharine Deas sourcing and selling unique furniture online, having pivoted from a 25-year international corporate career to pursue her love of design. Oriana B products include furniture, lampshades, lights, lamps, and mirrors.

BRANDS WITH NEW IMAGES

Clothing, beauty and accessories

Primark has new linen, leopard and straw accessories, including handbags, bags and sandals, a new clothing collaboration with Guinness, linen kidswear and menswear  and accessories, makeup and personal health and wellness ranges, basics and youth ranges, US football team kit, new baby clothes, new Rita Ora range of clothes, Edit and new childrenswear.

Scamp & Dude has clothes and accessories, new SS25 athleisure wear, dresses, shorts, jackets, hoodies, coats, bags and scarves, plus new collaborations with Nicky Newman and Sabrina Elba.

Roman Originals has new Petite, Dusk and Curve ranges for the summer, plus big pattern and denim SS25 womenswear imagery.

Joe Browns has new SS25 menswear, shoes and accessories plus womenswear including dresses, shorts, skirts, beachwear, shoes, purses, handbags, shopping bags and beach bags  for the summer.

Peacocks has a new Louise Redknapp Linen Edit for summer, a SS25 Edit range, new menswear range, plus new womenswear SS25 clothing ranges including skirts and jumpers.

Matalan has new Holiday Shop collections for all the family, men’s and women’s summer ranges with clothes for the beach, baby ranges, Peter Rabbit and Bluey collaboration of kidswear, new Et Vous Spring women’s ranges, a men’s Smart edit, new bag ranges, new nightwear & lingerie.

Threadbare has a new Spring Romance and Another Sunday ranges of clothing and new summer footwear and beachwear, plus a Spring Romance womenswear range, plus new SS25 womenswear and menswear ranges.

M&S has new women's shoes, bags, jewellery, and accessories, new Per Una clothing ranges, as well as new perfume ranges, casual and formal men’s wear ranges, and Collection ranges for both men and women.

F&F has new summer beachwear campaign imagery and has Abbey Clancy top picks for the spring.

John Lewis has new Anyday, John Lewis and Kin men’s ranges and a Goodie Works t-shirt collaboration, plus new women’s clothing, shoes and accessory ranges for the spring and summer. Plus a range of women’s bags and jewellery.

River Island has new jewellery, men’s suits, a new Pink themed range, a new women’s wear range that’s a tribute to Ibiza’s Café Del Maar, perfume ranges and new Arm Candy bags.

Oliver Bonas has new April, May and June 2025 uploads of jewellery, women’s clothing, bags, hats, shoes, sunglasses and accessories as well as new ranges for SS25.

Barbour has new wellies and menswear clothing ranges, plus a new Crocs collaboration, a Very British Summer collaboration of clothes and accessories with Lucy Williams, and a new shoe collaboration with Wild Bunch, rainwear ranges.

Fable England has new bag charms and jewellery based on the Beatrix Potter Peter Rabbit characters, new Alice’s Garden, Running Bunny and Bunny Blues jewellery and bags, Wonderland ranges of bags and scarves, plus new accessories and core jewellery ranges.

Very has a new Michelle Keegan collaboration, plus drops SS25 lookbook imagery, a new V by Very and V by Very Curve ranges of dresses, jumpers, jackets, coats jumpsuits, swimwear, jeans, trousers and shoes.

Iolla has new sunglasses and glasses for the summer with the option of multi-coloured lenses, plus ranges of frames and glasses based on nostalgia for a Scottish coastal summer.

Monsoon has new SS25 ranges for the beach and holidays, plus women’s and kids clothing for the summer, new sandals for the beach, plus new jewellery and bags for women and kids, new wedding outfit shoes and dresses.

Dune London has new bags, sandals and shoes for him and her for the summer, bag charms, clutch bags, handbags and belts, bridal shoe ranges for casual to posh weddings.

New Look has new drops, new SS25 clothing and more new winter outfits, winter and occasion wear outfits for women, plus ranges of womenswear including coats, jumpers, skirts and tops.

TK Maxx has new menswear and women’s wear including jackets, dresses, waistcoats, jumpsuits, t-shirts, shoes and sandals and accessory ranges, including hats, bags, jewellery, makeup and sunglasses for the summer.

Cotton Traders has new men and women’s clothes, shoes and accessories including beachwear and swimsuits, plus campaign images with Will Mellor and Alex Jones.

George at Asda has a new kidswear, Style Stories Kat Farmer Studio Edit collaboration, new Modern World collection and a Studio Edit of womenswear, bridal collection, Style Stories by Erica Davies and G21 Maisie Smith collection ranges, new Gym Locker activewear ranges.

Curvy Kate has new Swerve, Suspend, Suspense, Serpent, Opulence, Indulgence, Eos, Entwined, Zen, Victory, Wild One, Strawberry Crush, Ornate and more ranges of lingerie. Plus new ranges of swimwear for SS25.

See additional new clothing and accessories images from

 Joma Jewellery Katie Loxton Lipsy Crew Clothing Tu Clothing Celtic &Co Bonmarché

Home, garden and food

Primark has new diffusers, candles, vases, jugs and bedding ranges for the home.

Jellycat has a new Amuseables range of animals, flowers and food, plus books and the cuddliest soft toys and bags for SS25.

Jan Constantine has new cushion ranges.

B&M has new DIY tools and electricals ranges, new baby and food events as well as new Lego kits, Garden solar lighting, Easter cuddly toys for kids, spring electrical ranges, garden decorations and Easter themed gifts, cookware and dining decorations.

Cambridge Imprint has new, labels, tea towels, box files, envelopes, postcard boxes, postcards, tea trays, lined exercise and hardback books, stamps, Easter block sets, ribbons, and albums.

Nest has new living room furniture including lounge chairs, plus Ferm Living, Tom Dixon and Hay garden furniture, including tables, chairs and loungers.

M&S has new homeware including furniture, lighting, bedding and tableware, new wash bags beauty and wellness ranges, Ultimate bedding sets, makeup ranges, SS25 Boho, Classic and Exquisite Earth furniture and homeware ranges.

Home Bargains has new Wickford & Co candle jars and diffusers, plus luxury candles, diffusers and room sprays from The Vault.

Quorn Stone has new Chalfont and Metro tiles, new decorative tiles, Orotelli stone for the floors and Luella Powder for the bathroom, Frome white stone, Orwell Natural Porcelain Stone, and Chastleton Ivory Stone.

Designers Guild has new Christian Lacroix Maison SS25 ranges, new SS25 outdoor ranges including rugs and cushions.

Sofology has new SS25 furniture ranges, including sofas, chairs and stools plus furniture for the lounge in bright spring colours.

Oliver Bonas has new Father’s Day gifts, new May/June/July drops of homeware ranges for the kitchen, dining room and lounge, plus furniture and home accessories including mirrors, lighting and tableware for SS25.

George Home has new outdoor furniture and tableware for the garden and picnics, new Stacey Solomon Easter and home collaborations on cookware, bedding, dining, and homeware. New Easter ranges of tableware, new home gifts and furniture.

Dobbies Garden Centres has new garden furniture, sheds and outside storage solutions, home houseplants including orchids, garden tool ranges, homeware, pet ranges, kids garden toys.

Hobbycraft has lots of ideas for Easter decorations and things to keep the kids occupied for the holiday.

John Lewis has new Modern and Classic ranges of garden and outdoor entertaining furniture and tableware, plus Modern and Classic homeware collections of rugs, beds, mirrors, furniture, soft furnishings, tableware and accessories for SS25.

Online Home Shop has new curtains, cushions, duvet covers and throws, plus storage solutions, side tables and chest of drawers, rugs and bedding.

Homesense has new AW25 homeware and kitchenware including dishes, chairs, art, rugs, jugs plus Christmas 2025 crackers, wreaths and decorations.

TK Maxx has new kitchenware, homeware and gifts for Easter.

Fritz Fryer has new Ribbed Hereford Cluster lights, kitchen lighting, plus new lantern and pendant lighting ranges.

Dunelm has a new Sophie Robinson summer dining collaboration, plus new furniture and homeware, new colour drench ranges, and its SS25 range of bedroom and living room furniture, soft furnishings and kitchenware.

See additional new home images from

Matalan Treats by Mars The Gluttonous Gardener

DIARY

PRShots Retail Calendar Alerts

Days until Easter – 12

Days until Father’s Day – 68

Days until School holidays start (23rd July) – 106

Days until Halloween - 206

Days until Christmas Day – 261
 

How to get your brand in the media in April

We’re now definitely in Spring, and people are thinking about the approaching summer holidays, so add any spring-summer-related images you have and add in keywords relating to summer outfits and summer events, e.g. festivals, Glastonbury, Coachella this month in the US, beachwear, swimwear, the garden, garden parties, outdoor living, things for the patio, and of course Barbecues. Don’t forget to add all the other spellings BBQ, Bar-B-Que, etc and other related keywords like picnic, garden party, get-togethers, parties, socials, gatherings and for the young ‘gaths’. 

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 cardigans for the colder UK evenings.

It’s also Easter and the first big break of the year. It’s traditionally when people start to look at brightening up their gardens/patios/windowsills, so include any planting/gardening imagery and keywords as well as any of the standard Easter-related items, decorations, presents, bunnies and, of course, eggs and chocolate.  

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.

April Diary - Weeks/Months

There are lots of other big events in April. April is World Stress Awareness Month and National Pet Month in the UK, so if you have anything to relieve stress (massage products, recliners, diffusers, pillows, garden swings, etc) and anything for pets (dog coats, cat collars, dog beds will also be looked for etc) then add them and get all the relevant keywords added.  It’s also National Garden Month (so anything gardening-related should be tagged with National Garden Month), National Poetry Month and Celebrate Diversity Month.

Other events include;

World Autism Awareness Week (Mar 31^st – Apr 8^th)

Discover National Parks Fortnight (4^th – 18^th)

International Dark-Sky Week (21^st – 28^th)

Allergy Awareness Week (24^th – 28^th)

MS Awareness Week (22^nd – 28^th)

April - Days

8^th – Gym and fitness searches peak

11^th-13^th – Coachella Weekend One

12^th – Passover Begins

13^th – Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race

14^th – Vaisakhi (Sikh New Year)

17^th – Running searches peak ahead of the London Marathon

18^th- 20^th – Coachella Weekend Two

20^th – Passover Ends

20^th – Easter Sunday

21^st – Easter Monday

21^st - National Tea Day

22^nd – Earth Day

23^rd  – St George’s Day

23^rd – Start of the Asparagus season

23^rd – Shakespeare Day

24^th - National Skipping Day

24^th – Gardening searches peak

24^th – Fashion Revolution Day

25^th – Staycation searches peak

25^th – World Malaria Day

25^th – National Lingerie Day

27^th – London Marathon

29^th - International Dance Day

30^th – Stop Food Waste Day

NB - All dates have been checked, but some events may change due to unforeseen circumstances or have not been fully confirmed for 2025 by the authorities controlling the event(s).