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PRShots Roundup brings you the latest retail news from Primark, THG, Aldi, Claire’s, Gap, Amanda Wakely, Rodd & Gunn, Calzedonia, John Lewis, Heron Foods, QVC and Debenhams. Plus, Lush head of retail on its experiential retail plans for 2026, 3 AI shifts reshaping market research and more.
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THE LATEST RETAIL INDUSTRY NEWS
ABF to spin off Primark in demerger
Associated British Foods has confirmed plans to demerge Primark from its food business, in a move that will see shareholders handed stakes in two separately listed companies.
UK unemployment shows surprise fall to 4.9%
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said that the rate of unemployment unexpectedly fell to 4.9% in the three months to February, the lowest level since last summer.
THG posts strongest first-quarter sales growth since 2021
THG has reported its strongest Q1 revenue growth since 2021, with total revenues up 7% and beauty and nutrition both delivering solid gains.
Aldi accelerates London expansion
Aldi is expanding in London with eight new stores this year, the new growth is part of a £40m expansion targeting areas in central and greater London.
Claire's European owner closes in on deal to salvage part of collapsed high street chain
The French businessman who operates jewellery retailer Claire's business in several European countries is closing in on a deal to rescue scores of its British stores from insolvency proceedings.
Heron Foods rolls out AI-enabled headsets to improve staff safety
Hull-based supermarket chain Heron Foods, has rolled out a new AI-powered headset to staff in 340 stores to help improve customer experience and enhance staff safety.
Seven arrested over alleged nationwide mass shoplifting plot
Seven people were arrested in Salford on Sunday over an alleged coordinated national plan to target high-end retailers and supermarkets through organised shoplifting, according to police.
QVC UK’s parent company files for Chapter 11
QVC Group has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the US as part of a broader restructuring plan as it accelerates its strategy to become a leader in live social shopping.
All TOFS stores close after return to administration
The Original Factory Shop, also known as TOFS, has finally closed all its UK high street stores with the loss of over 1,180 jobs.
Amazon fixed prices of Levi’s and Hanes California authorities allege
Vendors were allegedly cowed by the e-commerce giant’s bargaining power and, fearing punishment, agreed to raise prices on competing retail websites like Walmart and Target.
TRENDS, SUSTAINABILITY, STRATEGY AND TECHNOLOGY
Lush head of retail on its experiential retail plans for 2026
Lush’s head of retail Kasey Swithenbank reveals the brands plans for new additions to its experiential retail offerings over the next year.
How to fix inconsistent AI content
MarTech shows you how to build a prompt system that keeps AI content on-brand, including how to use guardrails, references and structure to drive consistent, usable output.
3 AI shifts reshaping market research
AI is gaining memory, security and self-validation capabilities, turning fragmented research into faster, more connected insight generation.
Creating the next generation of in-store experiences
The next stage of in-store evolution is about making stores themselves work more intelligently, to engage shoppers just as much as the product.
Nearly half of UK shoppers experience payment failures at checkout
Nearly half (46%) of UK consumers have experienced payment failures at checkout in the past year, according to new research from Transaction Network Services (TNS).
Half of UK marketers “very comfortable” with AI as the primary customer touchpoint
Half of UK marketers (49%) say their organisation is “very comfortable” with customers interacting with their brand primarily through 3rd-party AI platforms, nearly double the global average of 25%.
PEOPLE, MOVERS AND SHAKERS
Debenhams Group promotes Aspden to lead next phase of digital growth
Debenhams Group has promoted Paul Aspden to chief technology officer as the business “accelerates its technology strategy and enters its next phase of growth”.
BRAND NEWS
Primark to open flagship store in Manhattan
Primark is set to open a new flagship store in New York City on May 8, marking the brand’s first flagship in Manhattan.
Victoria Beckham to launch a collection with Gap
Victoria Beckham has co-created a collection with Gap, including "the perfect white t-shirt" with the collaboration hitting stores and its website on Friday.
Amanda Wakeley unveils collaboration with John Lewis
Amanda Wakeley, known for her ‘clean glam’ eveningwear, is making a foray into the premium contemporary category with an exclusive collaboration with John Lewis Partnership.
Rodd & Gunn to open Bristol store
Menswear brand Rodd & Gunn - founded in New Zealand in 1987 - is to open a flagship 2,563 sq ft store at Bristol’s Cribbs Mall this summer, after seeing success with its John Lewis concession.
Anthony Joshua fronts Wilkinson Sword campaign
Wilkinson Sword’s has unveiled its latest Quattro campaign starring British boxer Anthony Joshua. The campaign is part of the brand’s Blade Masters platform, which first launched in 2024.
Calzedonia launches fresh campaign with Laëtitia Casta
Calzedonia’s swimwear campaign for summer 2026, marks its third collaboration with French actress and model Laëtitia Casta.
AND FINALLY
Trump administration begins refunding more than $166bn in tariffs
The Trump administration has begun accepting applications from businesses seeking refunds for more than $166bn in tariffs, after the supreme court ruled that the president had no legal authority.
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PRSHOTS TOP 10 SEARCHES
What were our users searching for on PRShots Week ending Apr 17th 2026?
1/ SS26
2/ Bikini
3/ Swimsuit
4/ Beach
5/ Outdoor
6/ Garden
7/ Denim
8/ Sunglasses
9/ Sandals
10/ Lemon
PRSHOTS DIARY
PRShots Retail Calendar Alerts
Days until Father’s Day – 61
Days until School Summer holidays (Scotland) - 72
Days until School Summer holidays (England & Wales) – 92
Days until Halloween – 193
Days until Black Friday - 220
Days until Christmas - 248
How to get your brand on the April Editorial Calendars, search engines and social media
Our April 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 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. festival outfits for Reading, Leeds, Wireless, Download, Isle Of Wight, Womad, Green Man, 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 throws, fleeces and cardigans plus from homeware blankets and rugs, for the colder UK evenings.
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 World Autism Acceptance Month, National Garden Month in the US (in the UK it’s just a week so anything gardening-related should be tagged with National Garden Week), it’s also National Poetry Month in the US and the US also has April as its Celebrate Diversity Month.
Other events include;
Allergy Awareness Week (20th – 27th)
MS Awareness Week (20th – 26th)
Fashion Revolution Week (Commemorates the Rana Plaza, Savar Upazila, Bangladesh disaster on the 24th April 2013 which killed 1,134 workers see https://www.fashionrevolution.org/ for event details)
RHS National Gardening Week (28th – 4th May)
April - Days
21st - National Tea Day
21st-22nd -Yom Haatzmaut (Jewish Holiday)
22nd – Earth Day
23rd – St George’s Day
23rd – Start of the Asparagus season
23rd – Shakespeare Day
24th - National Skipping Day
24th – Gardening searches peak
24th – Fashion Revolution Day
24th - Arbor Day
25th – Running searches peak ahead of the London Marathon
25th – Staycation searches peak
25th – World Malaria Day
25th – National Lingerie Day
26th – National Mending in Public Day
26th – London Marathon
29th - International Dance Day
30th – Stop Food Waste Day
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
Iolla has new ranges of its sunglasses with custom tints for the summer holiday season.
BRANDS WITH NEW IMAGES
Clothing, beauty and accessories
Bonmarché has a new 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.
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.
Primark has new band t-shirts, Major Find ranges, a new Edit range, new beachwear, a Scene collection of womenswear, a new Sienna Sol menswear range, KPop Demon Hunter ranges, and Adaptive ranges.
New Look has new season outfits, jewellery and accessories and drops of SS26 ranges including clothes, bags, shoes, boots and accessories.
Oliver Bonas has new May jewellery launches, new June summer fashion lines, plus April and May drops of hats, sunglasses, socks, shoes, sandals, clothing, bags and accessories.
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.
Very has 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.
River Island has a new Terry De Havilland collaboration of beachwear, accessories, shoes and jewellery, new Abbie Rosie and Enid Blyton bag collaborations, Olivia Denim collaboration with Olivia Attwood, and a new Off to the Races ranges.
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.
Monsoon has new spring womenswear drops for April, May and June, along with jewellery, new linen and denim womenswear and accessory ranges, plus new ranges of shoes, bags, scarves and sunglasses.
National Trust has new collaborations with clothing and accessory ranges for the outdoors for men and women from Craghoppers.
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.
Peacocks has new accessories for the summer, including bags, sunglasses, jewellery and sandals, new lingerie and nightwear, new Lousie Redknapp and Dani Dyer SS26 ranges of womenswear and accessories including, shoes, bags and belts.
Threadbare has new SS26 womenswear including skirts, jackets, shorts and waistcoats.
F&F has new womenswear for the summer.
Accessorize has new women’s and kids summer holiday wear including dresses, bikinis, shirts, jewellery, shoes, hats and bags.
Scamp & Dude has a new Super Scarf collaboration with Alison Hammond, new holiday outfits including denim, dresses, shirts, swimwear and bags, a new Davina McCall collaboration plus new clothes and accessory ranges.
Joe Browns has its SS26 men’s and womenswear collections from jackets and t-shirts for men, to big print maxi-dresses to floral patterned tunic dresses for women.
Cotton Traders has new SS26 menswear collaboration with actor Will Mellor and a womenswear collaboration with Alex Jones and new summer holiday wear, including dresses to tankinis.
See additional new clothing and accessories images from
Lola Star Roman Originals Deichmann Inspecs Home Bargains
Home, garden and food
Primark has new luggage and storage solutions, Island Heat ranges of homeware, new homeware including decorations, vases, soft furnishings, candles, diffusers and kitchenware.
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.
Cambridge Imprint has new small pocket books, kitchen trays, exercise and hardback books, notebooks, new Clamshell and Dandelion patterned paper, plus patterned paper, new notecards, envelopes, albums, notebooks, and cards.
Designers Guild has new SS26 soft furnishing design ranges including cushions, rugs and throws.
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.
Dobbies Garden Centres has new 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.
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.
Ivyline has lots of new planters for your indoor plants.
Home Bargains has new picnic and garden ranges of kitchenware.
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.
Oliver Bonas has new May homeware furniture for the bedroom and living room and kitchenware, plus Father’s Day gifts and cards, April homeware and kitchenware ranges for the dining room, living room and bedroom.
See additional new home images from
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
Get this newsletter delivered to your email inbox every morning, Mon-Fri, Subscribe on LinkedIn Here
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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