Main Image: Peacocks

The latest retail news from JoJo Maman Bébé, Boots, Ted Baker, M&S, George at Asda, LK Bennett, Laura Ashley and articles on three trends shaping the UK’s busiest websites, how the EU’s Digital Markets Act will change marketing, how consumers are using mobile in-store and much more.

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THE LATEST RETAIL INDUSTRY NEWS

UK footfall edges closer to pre-pandemic level

Ipsos Retail Traffic Index saw a week-on-week rise on the Easter weekend footfall with footfall down just 5.4% on the pre-pandemic 2019 Easter levels.

Next buys JoJo Maman Bébé

Next has acquired 44% of JoJo Maman Bébé shares, with the remaining 66% bought by a group of investment firms and founder Laura Tenison will be leaving the company as part of the deal.

Boots sale nears with final bids expected this month

Final bids are expected to be made for Boots this month from the four parties believed to be still in the running, including Apollo, TDR Capital and Sycamore, with a winner set to be named in May.

Government to force landlords to let out shops vacant for six months

Landlords will be forced to let out shops that have been empty for six months under new plans set to be unveiled next month in the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill.

Metaverse fashion companies are achieving millions in funding

A spate of metaverse digital fashion companies have received funding, from seed to Series C rounds. In a still-nascent field, investors are looking for founder potential and community momentum.

Ted Baker founder supports Sycamore bid

Ted Baker founder Ray Kelvin who still owns a double-digit stake is supporting the idea of taking the business private following the launch of a formal sale process.

China aims to recycle 25% of textile waste by 2025

As well as recycling a quarter of the 22 million tonnes of textile waste accrued each year, the country is looking to produce two million tonnes of recycled fibre annually within the next three years.

Selfridges sale gets green light from European Commission

The sale of iconic department store chain Selfridges to Thailand’s Central Group and Austrian-based property company Signa Holding, has been approved by the European Commission.

TRENDS, STRATEGY AND TECHNOLOGY

How Europe’s new Digital Markets Act will impact marketers

The EU’s recently-passed Digital Markets Act (DMA) has the potential to completely upend how consumer data is currently shared within multi-brand tech businesses such as a Meta and Alphabet.

Why consumers are taking digital habits in-store

Shoppers using smartphones in stores tend to be looking for savings or inspiration for things they want but didn’t necessarily go looking for to begin with.

Three trends propelling the UK’s busiest retail websites

Retail Week’s latest report reveals the retailers and brands leading the way in e-commerce and how online trading is set to evolve this year.

How Tesco is tackling retail’s three most ‘significant uncertainties’

Tesco unveiled surging profits as it powered through the pandemic – but there was more than an air of caution as directors presented full-year results.

Are delivery drones the future of e-commerce delivery?

Even in 2022, receiving packages via drone delivery may still sound somewhat fantastical. However, many tech giants are hailing drones as the future of e-commerce delivery.

Two fifths of UK shoppers want to use AR to find product info

Over two fifths (42%) of UK shoppers are interested in using augmented reality (AR) to find product information when shopping.

Half of young consumers make a purchase after finding it on TikTok

Half of Gen Z consumers have made a purchase after finding it on TikTok, with 80% of youngsters using the app for all aspects of their life.

PEOPLE, MOVERS AND SHAKERS

Sosandar hires former Superdry executive as non-executive director

Sosandar hires ex-Superdry director Jon Wragg as non-executive director. Jon held a number of executive roles within Superdry from 2014 to 2021 and before that had roles at Asda.

N Brown hires former Arcadia director as head of buying

N Brown has hired former Arcadia director Sara Bradley as its new buying director. Bradley began her career at the Arcadia Group and ended up as buying director at Dorothy Perkins.

BRAND NEWS

Marks & Spencer launches spring/summer lines on rental platform Hirestreet

Marks & Spencer has introduced a range of new season womenswear on specialist platform Hirestreet in its latest tie-up with the rental platform.

George at Asda launches collaboration with Netflix

George at Asda will partner with Netflix to offer a range of fashion and lifestyle products based on the streaming service’s original series.

Urban Outfitters launches NFT collection with Smiley and André

Urban Outfitters Europe is entering the Web3 space with the launch of a collection of 500 NFTs created by legendary graffiti artist André Saraiva for the 50-year anniversary of Smiley.

LK Bennett grows retail footprint

Women's clothing, footwear and accessories brand LK Bennett will open a store in London’s Hampstead on 14 April and is eyeing opportunities for further expansion.

Laura Ashley to relaunch fashion

Laura Ashley has appointed US marketing and brand licensing company IMG to relaunch its fashion offer and expand its home and lifestyle categories in the UK and internationally

Rental platform DCEY launches in the UK

Turkey’s first and largest fashion rental platform DCEY founded in 2010 by twin sisters Eda Franci and Seda Aksoy has launched in the UK.

AND FINALLY

Teens are split on the metaverse and the majority barely use VR headsets

Teens are unsure about the metaverse or don't have any interest, and don't plan to purchase a VR headset.

PRSHOTS TOP 10 SEARCHES

What were our users searching for on PRShots week-ending April 15th 2022?

1/ SS22

2/ Easter

3/ Garden

4/ Yellow   

5/ Kitchen

6/ Jubilee

7/ Denim Skirt

8/ Dresses

9/ Camping   

10/ Parasol

COLLABORATIONS ON PRSHOTS

Our PRShots brands are looking for media and influencers who want to work with them on collaborations. Register for free at PRShots new collabs service to find out more https://collabs.prshots.com/ 

NEW BRANDS TO PRSHOTS

Peacocks was founded by Albert Frank Peacock in Warrington, in 1884 with the principle of value for money and that still holds today with its good value clothing ranges for men, women and children. The latest Weekend range features brand ambassador Louise Redknapp.

NoLoGo was founded by designer Tina Malhamé who has worked with Sir Terence Conran, Next, Monsoon, Laura Ashley, Anokhi, Per Una and more. NoLoGo-Chic produces beautiful clothing, each carefully designed and sourced, with its own unique detailing, in gorgeous natural fabrics.

Bonmarché returns to PRShots with its Spring Summer 2022 range if women’s clothing. The range features long, midi and short dresses as well as jackets, swimsuits, shirts and t-shirts

Noughty is a British-born, cruelty-free, vegan and naturals brand on a mission to exceed the performance of premium conventional hair and body care with natural alternatives that won’t cost the earth - literally.

Bryony Bel was born out of a desire for aspirational, contemporary and wearable jewellery without the designer price tag. With over 15 years industry experience at a number of jewellery brands, they bring a curated edit of contemporary and affordable sterling silver and 18kt gold vermeil jewellery.

Gold Collagen was started by Tony Sanguinetti whilst on a trip to Japan where he noticed that taking collagen drinks to supplement their diet was key to Japanese women’s youthful appearance and their daily beauty regimes.

The Jacket Bar was born in the streets of Notting Hill by two long-time friends Diane and Sara, who shared a passion for iconic vintage pieces from the early ‘90s with the retro look and style of the era.

The MorphBag by GSK is an award-winning London-based luxury vegan handbag brand. Designed by Italian born award-winning luxury handbag designer Giovanna Sessi-Knott the sustainable bags have a timeless and versatile design and come in three colour-coordinated options.

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 24hours, week, or month.

BRANDS WITH NEW IMAGES

Clothing and accessories

M&Co  has new summer wear from Anya Madsen and Kylie, plus new kids and adult ranges

Dancing Leopard has new summer dresses

Lipsy has new mini, midi and long dresses

Cotton Traders has new summer ranges

Sonder Studio has new clothing ranges

Primark has new lingerie beauty products swimwear and activewear baby and toddler clothing and leisurewear

Dune London has new shoe and bag ranges

New Look has new women’s summer outfits

Hope Fashion has new womenswear

Barbour has new menswear

Pretty Little Thing has a new Alabama Barker range

Monsoon has new womenswear and kids ranges

Pink House Mustique has new outfits for the summer

See more new clothing and accessories images from the last two weeks from

F&F  George at Asda Oliver Bonas Kaleidoscope Freemans Marks & Spencer Shoe Zone Seol + Gold River Island Feelunique Very Daisy Park Fatface Joe Browns Matalan John Lewis  Aspiga From My Mothers Garden  

Home and food

Sofology  has new bed and furniture ranges

Joe Browns has new jubilee ranges

Wilko has new DIY, storage, garden and home wear

Abstract House has new canvases

Cult Furniture  has new homeware

Nest has new outdoor lighting, home ranges and prints

Dobbies Garden Centres has new home goods, pet accessories and outdoor ranges 

Parker Knoll has new furniture ranges

Oliver Bonas has new homeware and decorations

The Range has new homeware and things for the garden and Jubilee wear

M&Co  has new homeware

Next has new Beach Retreat homeware available in June

Paperchase has a new Mr Men range

Cuckooland has new modular sofas

Oak Furnitureland has new sofa ranges

Very has new Occasions homeware

See more new home images from the last two weeks from

Wilko Cambridge Imprint  Fatface Lights4fun George Home Next Hotel Chocolat Getting Personal John Lewis & Partners TK Maxx Biscuiteers Baking  Cartwright & Butler  Daisy Park  John Lewis and Partnership Furniture Village Homesense Soho House Retail National Trust Shop

Looking for inspiration??

Our trends lightboxes section has lots of ideas for features and themes but If  you can't find something or you need help then email us at support@prshots.com, and we'll see if we can help

April Diary

How to get your brand on the April Editorial Calendars   

June sees the start of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee 4-day weekend holiday, so start to get anything related to the Jubilee up now and get the keywords Platinum Jubilee on anything relevant. 

We’re now definitely in Spring, so carry on adding those spring summer related images and adding keywords relating to summer outfits, swimwear, the garden, garden parties and Barbecues (don’t forget to add all of the other spellings BBQ, Bar-B-Que etc).  

People are thinking about the approaching summer holidays, so carry on adding those spring summer related images and adding keywords relating to summer outfits, beachwear, swimwear, the garden, garden parties and Barbecues. Don’t forget to add all of the other spellings BBQ, Bar-B-Que etc and other related keywords like picnic, garden party, get-togethers, parties, socials, gatherings (gaths). 

While some people are looking to holidays abroad some are also trimming their budgets thanks to the rising costs of gas and electricity etc. and are looking 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.

April Diary - Weeks/Months

As well as Easter 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. 

Other events include;

Discover National Parks Fortnight (Apr 4^th – Apr 19^th)

English Tourism Week (Apr 18^th – Apr 24^th)

The Big Peddle (Apr 19^th – Apr 30^th)

National Stationery Week (Apr 20^th – Apr 25^th)

MS Awareness Week (Apr 20^th – Apr 25^th)

Allergy Awareness Week (Apr 20^th – Apr 25^th)

National Gardening Week (Apr 27^th – May 3^rd)

April - Days

21^st - National Tea Day

22nd – Earth Day

22^nd-14^th – Coachella Weekend Two

23^rd – Passover Ends

23rd – St George’s Day

23^rd - National Asparagus Day

23^rd – Shakespeare Day

24^th - National Skipping Day

24^th – Fashion Revolution Day

25^th – World Malaria Day

27^th – Stop food waste Day

29^th - International dance Day

Do you have any news on your brand that you want us to feature, or have a new appointee or a new event that you would like us to feature? Get in touch at news@prshots.com We don't charge, so get emailing now!!!

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