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PRShots Roundup brings you the latest retail news from Zara, Aldi, RM Williams, Primark, Waitrose, Superdrug, CDS Superstores, FatFace, JoJo Maman Bébé, B&Q, Wickes, Vans, Crocs and M&S. Plus, Solving the issue of mobile basket abandonment, which retailers are embracing AI shopping and more.
THE LATEST RETAIL INDUSTRY NEWS
Inditex hails ‘robust’ performance as sales and profits climb
Zara owner Inditex has reported "robust" performance as sales grew 3.2% to €39.9bn for the year to 31 Jan 2026 compared with the year prior.
Aldi to create more than 1,100 store roles as part of £370m expansion
Aldi is set to create more than 1,100 new store roles this year as it invests over £370m in the opening of 40 new shops across the UK.
Mother’s Day spending set to hit £18bn
UK retail spending for Mother’s Day is forecast to reach £18bn in 2026, as shoppers increasingly opt for premium food, drink and personalised gifts to mark the occasion.
RM Williams says UK turnover to hit £15m
RM Williams is expanding in the UK with eight stores opened by April, and UK turnover expected to exceed £15m in 2026.
Primark increases pay for 27,000 store staff
Primark has announced it will increase hourly pay for its retail workers across the UK, with more than 27,000 workers set to benefit from the change.
Amazon wins court order blocking Perplexity AI shopping bots
Amazon has won a court order requiring Perplexity to stop accessing password-protected sections of Amazon’s systems (in this case, Prime subscriber accounts) and to destroy any data collected.
Consumer card spending subdued in February
Overall UK consumer card spending increased just 1% in Feb, a slight rise over Jan’s 0.8%, and growth in non-essential spending reached a six-month high of 1.8%.
Wet weather impacts February retail sales
British Retail Consortium figures show UK total retail sales increased by 1.1% year-on-year in the month compared to an uplift of 2.7% in January.
TRENDS, SUSTAINABILITY, STRATEGY AND TECHNOLOGY
Solving the issue of mobile basket abandonment
Mobile basket abandonment has passed 85%, with the main reasons for cart abandonment are unexpected costs at checkout, slow delivery, and concerns about payment security.
Which retailers are embracing AI shopping?
Retail Week details the retailers embracing a new way of shopping by letting AI agents browse, search, recommend, and purchase on behalf of the shopper, known as agentic commerce.
How China’s social commerce model is reshaping global marketing
Global brands are studying and copying China’s social commerce model, where social media, influencer content and online shopping are deeply integrated into a single consumer experience.
How to write a crisis-proof social media policy
A clear social media policy protects both your organisation and your people from reputational, compliance, and security risks. Hootsuite shows you how to write a bullet-proof policy.
OpenAI to pivot from ‘Instant Checkout’ ChatGPT feature months after launch
OpenAI is putting a pause on its plan to allow users to purchase products directly through ChatGPT, and will instead focus on checkouts that run through specific plugins for the service.
Waitrose deploys AI route optimisation to improve delivery efficiency
Waitrose has partnered with AI specialist Satalia to optimise its home delivery network, improving delivery slot availability while cutting delivery mileage across its fleet.
CDS Superstores enters partnership for AI supply chain improvement
CDS Superstores, owner of The Range, Wilko and Homebase, has entered into a partnership to improve and enhance its supply chain capabilities.
Superdrug rolls out new fixtures to highlight trending beauty products
Superdrug is rolling out new in-store fixtures to showcase the latest trending and viral beauty products.
BRAND NEWS
JoJo Maman Bébé makes debut in FatFace
FatFace is continuing to expand its offering by adding JoJo Maman Bébé to its stores, starting with FatFace’s Bluewater Shopping Centre location.
B&Q launches paint recycling trial
B&Q is taking part in an industry-wide trial and offering a paint recycling service across selected stores in a bid to tackle one of the UK’s biggest waste challenges.
Wickes adds buy now, pay later option for trade customers
Wickes has expanded payment options for its trade customers through a new partnership with Billie, allowing tradespeople to buy materials and pay later.
Vans celebrates 60 years with its ‘Off The Wall’ global campaign
Vans is celebrating its 60th year with global footwear campaign ‘Off The Wall’ featuring Hayley Williams, Travis Barker, SZA, Franz Lyons, Lizzie Armanto, and T-Funk.
Gap launches ‘Sweats Like This’ campaign
Gap has tapped global Grammy-nominated artist Young Miko to front its latest ‘Sweats Like This’ spring campaign.
Crocs to open first full-price UK store
Crocs has announced the opening of its first full-price UK store in Westfield Stratford City, the store will open this month.
AND FINALLYx2
M&S enlists Gillian Anderson as chief compliments officer in new campaign
M&S has recruited British actress Gillian Anderson to the newly created role of chief compliments officer.
Majority of customers against TGJones rebrand
Three-quarters of the British public are not fans of the rebrand of the former WHSmith high street business to TGJones.
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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.
PRSHOTS TOP 10 SEARCHES
What were our users searching for on PRShots Week ending Feb 27th 2026?
1/ SS26
2/ Easter
3/ Denim
4/ Yellow
5/ Floral
6/ Garden
7/ Green
8/ Lemon
9/ Vase
10/ Spring
PRSHOTS DIARY
PRShots Retail Calendar Alerts
Days until Mother’s Day – 4
Days until Eid al-Fitr - 8
Days until Easter – 25
Days until Father’s Day – 102
Days until School Summer holidays (Scotland) - 113
Days until School Summer holidays (England&Wales) - 133
March Diary
How to get your brand on the March Editorial Calendars, search engines and social media
Our March 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.
March is mostly about preparing for the big Easter holidays next month, so make sure you are starting to include relevant Easter keywords. It’s also the time people make their first big getaway abroad, so any keywords and clothes for warmer climes, loungewear, going out wear, swimsuits, bikinis, etc, should be added.
In the middle of the month, there’s Mother’s Day, so try to get Mother, gifts, or Mother’s Day into your keywords for anything that seems appropriate. Also, if you have anything green, add the Keyword St Patrick's Day.
Plus, as we’re now definitely in Spring, carry on adding those spring and summer-related images and adding keywords relating to the summer, like swimwear, outdoor living, garden, garden parties and Barbecues (don’t forget to add all of the other spellings BBQ, Bar-B-Que etc) and for home it’s all about Spring cleaning and updating for Spring.
We’re also starting to get ready for the bridal season – the peak is May to October – so If you have bridal wear or anything appropriate to weddings, then start to upload it and label it with the keyword wedding.
The Olympics aren't over yet as this month sees the week-long Paralympic Games, which start on the 6th March and finish on the 15th March. So ski wear and sports wear should be pushed.
Lastly, it’s Oscar month, so why not upload some smart suits and dresses and create an Oscar section for an evening watching the Oscars?
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.
March Diary - Weeks/Months
In the UK, it’s National Bed Month. Introduced by The Sleep Council and The National Bed Federation, it aims to raise awareness of the importance of sleep, so push anything sleep-related. It’s also Dechox month, which encourages people to give up chocolate – cakes and biscuits - for the month! So, any chocolate, biscuit or cake alternatives should be pushed. It’s also Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, Walk All Over Cancer Month, Endometriosis Awareness Month, Brain Tumour Awareness Month, Women’s History Month.
Interesting Stat: National No-Smoking Day was originally on Ash Wednesday when it was started in 1984. It was moved to the second Wednesday in March as, while it’s less easy to remember, the date doesn’t move around the calendar quite so much as Ash Wednesday does.
Other events include;
British Science Week (6th-15th)
Butchers Week (9th-15th)
English Tourism Week (13th – 22nd)
National Fragrance Week (17th-23rd)
Bridal Fashion Week London (22nd-24th)
The Big Walk and Wheel (26th – 27h)
March - Days
11th – No Smoking Day
13th – World Sleep Day
15th – The Oscars
15th - Mother’s Day UK
15th - Winter Paralympics Closing Ceremony
17th – St Patrick’s Day
18th – Global Recycling Day
19th – Eid al-Fitr / End of Ramadan
20th – First Day of Spring (Spring ends 20th June)
20th - Red Nose Day for Comic Relief
21st – International Day of Forests
21st – World Poetry Day
22nd – Quadragesima
22nd – World Water Day
22nd – Easter egg searches rise
23rd – Gardening searches rise
24th – Possible date for the UK Spring Budget
25th – National Bridesmaids Day
26th – Six years since the first lockdown started in the UK in 2020
27th – Wear a Hat Day (Brain Tumour Research)
29th – British Summertime Begins
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
Industrious Decor is more than furniture. It’s a world of intentional design — where form meets feeling, and materials tell a story. Each collection — ID Country, ID Loft, ID Earth craft, ID Gentleman’s Club, and ID Expression — embodies a distinct aesthetic, yet all share the same foundation: timeless design, refined detailing, and an appreciation for craftsmanship.
BRANDS WITH NEW IMAGES
Clothing, beauty and accessories
M&S has new SS26 accessories, jewellery, shoes and bags, underwear ranges, plus new clothing ranges for Mother’s Day.
Bonmarché has new womenswear for the summer holidays modelled by Lisa Snowdon.
Scamp & Dude has new holiday outfits including dresses, shirts, swimwear and bags, a new Davina McCall collaboration plus new clothes and accessory ranges.
Primark has a new Coleen Rooney collaboration, athleisure and swimwear wear ranges, Major Find range, Edit range, F1 Alpine and Ford Goodyear collaborations, a Scene youth range, new makeup ranges, men’s linen ranges, a Stacey Solomon collaboration of kids clothes, a Nightwear Edit, and new band t-shirts.
Roman Originals has new floral ranges, Petite ranges for SS26, Spring dresses, tops, trousers, skirts, jumpers and cardigans, new Dusk and Curve ranges including coats, jackets, dresses and trousers.
River Island has a new Olivia Denim collaboration with Olivia Attwood, a new Off to the Races ranges, new collaborations with Year Zero on clothes, accessories and bags, a new Love is in the Air range, a To Have and Hold wedding range of womenswear and accessories.
Deichmann has new boots and ballet flats.
Joe Browns has its SS26 mens and womenswear collections.
Inspecs has a new Barbour range of sunglasses.
New Look has new season outfits, jewellery and accessories and drops of SS26 ranges including clothes, bags, shoes, boots and accessories.
Matalan has a new Riveria range of menswear, a new Prairie range of womenswear and accessories for SS26, a new floral range of clothes and accessories, new Clubhouse range of womenswear.
Accessorize has new jewellery, and new womenswear and accessories including shoes, hats and bags.
Oliver Bonas has new April and March drops of hats, sunglasses, socks, shoes, sandals, clothing, bags, jewellery and accessories.
Peacocks has new Dani Dyer SS26 ranges, Lousie Redknapp denim ranges, SS26 shoes, bags, belts, jewellery, accessories, sleepwear and lingerie, plus leisure wear and ranges for men and women.
Barbour has a new Icons range, a Paul Smith Collaboration, a Heritage+ range plus a collaboration with Feng Chen Wang, new jumpers and bags and new collaborations with Ganni, Baracuta, Sorel, Levi’s, Arket and Farm Rio.
Regatta has a new Orla Kiely collaboration with womens clothing including t-shirts, coats and swimwear.
Threadbare has new SS26 womenswear.
Monsoon has new March accessory ranges including shoes, bags and scarves, plus March drops of womenswear for spring 2026 ranges including clothes, shoes, jewellery, sunglasses and accessories, plus new bridal ranges.
Cotton Traders has a new summer holiday wear including dresses to tankinis, a new Sea Glass collection, new SS26 women’s and menswear, including a new SS26 menswear collaboration with actor Will Mellor and a womenswear collaboration with Alex Jones.
Home Bargains has new Hinch Farm ranges of baby clothing.
Busby & Fox has new campaign images for its SS26 womenswear ranges.
Very has new Wuthering-Heights-inspired womenswear, new Traitors-inspired fashion, a new Transitional Very Collection, Winter footwear and a new Michelle Keegan collaboration.
See additional new clothing and accessories images from
Home, garden and food
Joe Browns has launched its SS26 home range with ideas for every room in the home including bedding, furniture, vases, candlesticks, glassware, bowls, lamps, serving bowls and trays, storage solutions and knick-knacks.
Quorn Stone has new Marisol ranges of decorative tiles, natural stone, and marble and stone effect ranges, new terracotta decorative tiles, natural stone range, marble and decorative effect tiles.
Cambridge Imprint has new kitchen trays, exercise and hardback books, notebooks, new Clamshell and Dandelion patterned paper, Charleston themed ranges of patterned paper, new Easter decorations, new notecards, envelopes, albums, notebooks, and cards for SS26.
M&S has a new Kelly Hoppen collaboration, new gifts for Mother’s Day, and furniture and homeware collections, and new homeware ranges for the spring and summer.
Matalan has a new Sorrento range of tableware, bed linen, cushions and furnishings for the garden.
National Trust has new food and gardening ranges, Easter decorations, new homeware, new shed ranges, new garden furniture with new Oxleys and Sitting Spiritually collaborations, new glasshouses, and new kitchen furniture ranges based on their country houses, including walled units, islands and kitchen dressers.
The Orchard has new lounge, dining room and bedroom interior ranges including beds, sideboards, dressers, sofas, lighting, shelving, benches and more, new Lahinch and Kilmore corner sofas.
Very has new Very Collection ranges of outdoor furniture, a new Revive outdoor furniture and soft furnishings collection, a new Very collection of furniture, wall art and storage solutions, new beauty and wellness tech.
Oliver Bonas has new Father’s Day gifts and cards, April homeware and kitchenware ranges for the dining room, living room and bedroom.
Dobbies Garden Centres have new garden pots and grow your own solutions for spring, plus everything for the garden barbecue and eating outside, from lighting to tabletop firepits. Plus all the tools needed for the Easter and spring planting spree.
B&M has 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, Easter-themed homeware and decorations, candles and diffusers, plus coffee and cocktail homeware for the lounge.
Ruggable has a new Antropologie collaboration of rugs, new ranges of animal-patterned rugs for every room, from kids bedrooms to the lounge, plus all sizes of rugs for inside and out for SS26.
Sofology has new ranges of sofas for SS26 including Fitzrovia, Oscar, Westwood, Adler and Georgio ranges of sofas.
Homesense has new SS26 homeware for the lounge, bathroom, kitchen and dining room and Easter gifts for the home.
Home Bargains has new Hinch Farm ranges of soft furnishings, storage and accessories.
The Gluttonous Gardener has new Bridgerton-inspired Georgian flower growbars, plus seed kits for Mother’s Day.
Jellycat has a new 2026 Harrods amuseable, plus a new range of Jellycat cuddly vegetables and farmyard animals for 2026.
See additional new home images from
Nest Arran Sense of Scotland TK Maxx Habitat
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.
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