Main Image: Bonmarché  

PRShots Roundup brings you the latest retail news from In The Style, Boohoo, Harrods, Guess, Bath & Body Works, Ebebek, RM Williams, John Lewis, and Waitrose. Plus, how to boost your social media engagement, will AI influencers replace humans and more.  

THE LATEST RETAIL INDUSTRY NEWS

In The Style slashes jobs as it pulls in losses

In The Style revenues fell from almost £46m to £30.4m, and reported a pre-tax loss of £2.6m for the year to 31 March, down from a £7.7m loss in the year before.

Consumer confidence is inches up ahead of Christmas

The GFK Consumer confidence survey has increased by one point to -17 in December, but the public are still cautious about the economic outlook and spending big money.

 UK’s economy shrinks unexpectedly by 0.1% in October

Office for National Statistics figures show Britain’s economy shrank by 0.1% in October, driven by declines in construction and production, while the dominant services sector stagnated.

Boohoo stands firm in boardroom battle

Boohoo Group has issued a statement, which challenged the recommendations of proxy advisors Glass Lewis and ISS that shareholders vote against the appointment of Mike Ashley to the board.

Harrods staff to strike over crucial pre-Christmas weekend and Boxing Day

Harrods workers, including cleaners, shop floor workers and restaurant staff are set to strike on 21, 22 and 26 December.

British Land buys another retail park

British Land continues to back retail parks as its desired commercial retail format, buying Orbital Retail Park in Cannock, Staffordshire, for £27.6m from Clearbell Property Partners.

Royal Mail launches its own parcel lockers

Royal Mail is to roll out 250 parcel lockers for use by its customers over the coming months, as it works to increase the ways to send and receive parcels.

Shein’s London IPO is facing further delays due to new supply chain questions

Approval of Shein’s IPO has been delayed due to unanswered questions around its supply chain and legal risks as a result of challenges by a new advocacy group for China’s Uyghur population.

Black Friday saw 86% of shoppers return to high street with lockers proving popular

The majority (86%) of consumers stated they plan to shop in bricks-and-mortar stores over the festive season, with 48% also choosing to use click-and-collect and 41% using local locker services.

TRENDS, SUSTAINABILITY, STRATEGY AND TECHNOLOGY

How to boost your social media engagement

Hootsuite explains how social media engagement works. Discover pro tips, free tools, and inspiring examples to help you boost interaction with your posts.

Why syncing email and SMS is critical to marketing success

Combining SMS with email unlocks more opportunities for customer engagement and higher revenue. Here’s how to do it right.

Will AI influencers replace humans?

The emergence of AI influencers has sparked both excitement and caution in the world of marketing but will they replace real humans?

How the LinkedIn algorithm works in 2024

If you want to connect with your audience on LinkedIn, start by understanding how the LinkedIn algorithm works.

Waitrose reports boom in seasonal spending on pets this Christmas

Waitrose has reported a huge uplift in seasonal spending on pets this Christmas with sales of festive pet lines up 964% on this time last year.

PEOPLE, MOVERS AND SHAKERS

N Brown poaches Jasper Conran director as Group Head of Merchandising

Simply Be, JD Williams and Jacamo fashion retailer N Brown has appointed Jasper Conran’s Trading and Logistics Director, Jo Parker, as its new Group Head of Merchandising.

BRAND NEWS

The top trends of 2024 at John Lewis

John Lewis’s annual trend report found that almost 20% of its survey respondents said they have shopped more with friends and family in 2024, and Charli XCX-inspired "Brat Girl" looks.

Reiss trials in-store repairs and alterations service

Reiss is trialling a repairs and alterations activation with SOJO at its Kent House and Long Acre stores in London.

Bath & Body Works selects Liverpool for new UK store

Bath & Body Works is set to make its city debut at Liverpool ONE early next year, as the US-based brand continues to strengthen its presence across the UK.

RM Williams UK rollout continues with Cambridge debut

Heritage Australian fashion brand RM Williams is continuing its UK expansion strategy with a new store opening today in Cambridge, its fourth in the country.

Lakeside is location for first of three UK Ebebek stores

Ebebek is opening its first of three stores it plans to open in Q1 2025 in Lakeside. The Turkish children’s brand “aims to become the go-to destination for UK parents”.

AND FINALLY x2

Guess puts on world's first high-altitude fashion show

Guess brought its latest collection to the world in a fashion show 3000 metres up in the Alpines using the region's peaks as a backdrop.

10 years of John Galliano at Maison Margiela

Designer John Galliano is stepping down as Creative Director from Maison Margiela after a decade, The Industry Fashion reveals the best outfits from his time at the label.  

THE CHRISTMAS ADVERTS

PRShots Retail Christmas Adverts 2024

All the Christmas Adverts so far - all 39 of them - in one place include Moonpig, Sports Direct, JD Sports, Burberry, John Lewis and many many more!

PRSHOTS TOP 10 SEARCHES

What were our users searching for on PRShots Week ending December 6^th 2024?

1/ Christmas

2/ SS25

3/ AW24

4/ Leopard

5/ Bedroom

6/ Living Room

7/ Bag

8/ Jumper

9/ Earrings  

10/ Heels

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

Primark has new kids ranges, athleisure wear and Premier Division football outfits, 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.

F&F has new SS25 ranges of women's clothing and accessories.

Roman Originals has new SS25 Petite imagery, more AW24 imagery for Petite, Curve and Dusk ranges of womenswear for day wear and for big events.

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

River Island has new Mocha Mousse looks or spring, 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.

Lola Starr has new sustainable activewear for the January and February Christmas bounce back.

Peacocks has new Christmas jumpers and fashion, Caprice and Grinch Christmas pyjama collections, new womenswear, a new Louise Redknapp AW and Christmas Edit.

Sainsbury’s Beauty has new BeautyPro, Dr Pawpaw, Isle of Paradise and Sundae wellness ranges and beauty treatments. 

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

Matalan has new athleisure wear, 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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

See additional new clothing and accessories images from

George at Asda Fatface Celtic &Co Scamp & Dude Peachaus Accessorize London Grace Deichmann

Home, garden and food

Dobbies Garden Centres has new outdoor furniture for Mother’s Day 2025 and Winter gardening tools.

Primark has new homeware for SS25.

Matalan has new Valentine’s gifts, 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.

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

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.

Habitat has new SS25 home ware and furniture, plus new furniture for setting up your own home office. 

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

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.

George Home has new Dark Garden SS25 interiors ranges, a new Christmas decorations for the tree, tableware, soft furnishings and trees, Stacey Solomon Christmas and Autumn collaborations on cookware, bedding, dining, and homeware.

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.

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.

See additional new home images from

Cult Furniture Fatface Primark Treats by Mars Cutter & Squidge Hobbycraft The Gluttonous Gardener Arran Sense of Scotland Monsoon  

DIARY

PRShots Retail Calendar Alerts

Days until Christmas – 12

Days until Valentine’s Day – 63

Days until Mother’s Day - 107

Days until Easter - 128
 

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, there’s Kwanzaa (26th - 1st Jan).

December Diary - Days

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).