Back to PRShots News 
Main Image: Accessorize
PRShots Roundup brings you the latest retail news from Cotswold Company, Aldi, Seasalt, Next, Lidl, OKA, Me + Em, Bershka, Calvin Klein and George at Asda. Plus, how Jellycat conquered China, what to expect in UK fashion retail in 2026 and more.
THE LATEST RETAIL INDUSTRY NEWS
Cotswold Company posts bumper Christmas
The Cotswold Company “significantly outperformed” the market over the festive period with sales up 17% to £23.2m, boosted by growth across both its online and physical channels.
Aldi hails ‘record’ £1.65bn Christmas trading
Aldi has recorded its ‘best-ever’ Christmas with sales rising 3% year-on-year to £1.65 billion in the four weeks to Christmas Eve.
Next eyes rescue bid for LK Bennett
Next is reportedly exploring a rescue offer for premium womenswear brand LK Bennett.
Seasalt plots 10 new stores a year as it ramps up expansion
Cornish fashion brand Seasalt is plotting the opening of 10 new stores a year in 2026 and beyond as it hails ongoing "resilience".
Lidl sales and shopper numbers surge over Christmas
Lidl has reported a “record-breaking” Christmas with sales up 10% to £1.1bn for the four weeks to Dec 24th compared to the previous year and customer numbers climbing by 8%.
OKA boosted by strong Christmas sales growth
Interiors retailer OKA has seen its sales rise by 21% year-on-year in the ten weeks to 28 Dec driven by a 10% uplift in customer numbers.
Coupang announces $1.18bn compensation to South Korean users for data leak
South Korean e-commerce company Coupang has approved a compensation deal worth $1.18bn to holders of 33.7m accounts for a massive data leak last month.
Pressure on high-street shops ‘likely to intensify’ in 2026
Company restructurings and insolvencies are likely to tick higher next year, as pressures on retailers and hospitality businesses across the UK are expected to “intensify”.
Retail investment boosted as 40% first-year tax allowance takes effect
Retailers investing in stores, logistics and equipment will be able to cut their tax bills as the new 40% first-year allowance for plant and machinery comes into force.
TRENDS, SUSTAINABILITY, STRATEGY AND TECHNOLOGY
How UK plush toy retailer Jellycat conquered China
Originally aimed at children, the squishy Jellycat toys have become a global hit, especially in China where a disenchanted youth has been turning to them for comfort.
What to expect in UK fashion retail in 2026
Fashion United predicts what retailers will be doing in 2026 including store closures, expansions, and fresh market entries expected to shake things up.
Retail in 2026 will be blending channels, building confidence, and staying agile
InternetRetailing spoke to retail experts to find out what trends and challenges 2026 has in store for the sector.
Eight in 10 marketers used AI for Christmas campaigns
Nearly eight in 10 marketers (78%) used AI to plan, test, and optimise last year’s seasonal campaigns, a 42% jump since 2024.
How enterprises use social listening for lead generation in 2026
People share buying intent on social media every day. Learn how enterprise teams use social listening to find leads earlier and smarter.
Why you need KOLs and how to get results from working with them
Hootsuite explains what key opinion leaders (KOLs) are, how they differ from influencers, and how to build KOL marketing partnerships that drive trust and real results.
Holland & Barrett reveals wellness trends for 2026
Holland & Barrett’s new trends report reveals 2026 trends showing health and wellness innovation is accelerating and consumers are increasingly prioritising proactive, long-term wellbeing.
Asos shakes-up returns policy with transparency tool launch
Asos has updated its returns policy to give more flexibility to frequent returners who keep most of the products they purchase.
PEOPLE, MOVERS AND SHAKERS
Asda appoints former Microsoft exec as IT chief
Asda has hired a new IT chief following the fallout from its delayed Project Future IT separation from Walmart.
BRAND NEWS
Me+Em Makes Its West Coast Debut With Beverly Hills Flagship
British womenswear brand Me+Em is accelerating its US expansion with the opening of a 5,000 sqft flagship in Beverly Hills, marking its first store on the West Coast and the fifth in the US.
George at Asda taps Ashley Roberts to front activewear push
George at Asda has unveiled Ashley Roberts as the new face of its Gym Locker activewear collection.
Bershka gears up to open first US stores in 2026
Fashion retailer Bershka is set to open its first physical stores in the US this year amid Spanish owner Inditex's ongoing bricks-and-mortar expansion.
Calvin Klein steps up denim and underwear strategy
Calvin Klein has reinvigorated two core pillars (underwear and denim) by enlisting international ambassadors such as Bad Bunny and Rosalía, instead of US stars, boosting sales by 3% in Q3.
AND FINALLY x2
60% of UK adults believe food is their love language
A new study from Waitrose, found that 30% of respondents believed that not being able to cook would be a dealbreaker when it came to looking for a romantic partner.
23% Brits vow to get fitter this New Year
Almost a quarter of people (23%) say they plan to get fitter or exercise more in the new year, while 17% want to lose weight and 11% aim to eat more healthily.
PRSHOTS TOP 10 SEARCHES
What were our users searching for on PRShots Week ending Jan 2nd 2026?
1/ SS26
2/ Valentine
3/ Cushion
4/ Lingerie
5/ Green
6/ Flowers
7/ Cap
8/ Trench Coat
9/ Red
10/ Peach
PRSHOTS DIARY
PRShots Retail Calendar Alerts
Days until Valentine’s Day – 40
Days until Mother’s Day – 69
Days until Easter – 90
January Diary
How to make your products and brand attractive to the media in January
Our January 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.
January is all about fitness and health and getting back on track after a Christmas and New Year holiday break. So, clothes-wise it’s all about clothing for the gym and exercise, so make sure if you have anything relevant that it’s flagged up with keywords like fit, exercise and gym.
The monthlies are also starting to prepare for Valentine’s Day next month, so get any relevant clothes, accessories and gifts uploaded and keyword them with valentine. They’re also looking forward to next season so make sure anything SS26 is flagged on your drops.
Plus, as we’re still mid-winter there will still be searches for anything cosy, so pyjamas, slippers, coats, hygge, winter warmers, knitwear, scarves and everything warm.
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.
It’s also the Winter Olympics in Milan this year (Feb 6th -22nd), so anything Olympic sport-related should get an extra push this month.
January Diary - Weeks/Months
January is also Veganuary (in 2024 over 1.8m people worldwide attempted to adopt a vegan lifestyle!) and it’s also Dry January so it’s a good idea to make sure you have vegan-friendly products and non-alcoholic products labelled on your media centre, plus anything that’s healthy that fits in with resetting your life.
If you sell gin and anything gin-related then it’s also Ginuary! It’s also Walk Your Dog Month, so anything dog-related would be good.
Other events include
Men’s Ashes - Fifth Test, SCG in Sydney: (4th-8th)
Houseplant Week (5th –11th)
The London Textile Fair (13th – 14th)
The Furniture Show NEC Birmingham (18th– 21st)
Cervical Cancer Prevention Week (19th – 25th)
Diary - Days
5th – Twelfth Night
5th – Takeback Monday
5th – Divorce Day
6th – Epiphany (Take your Christmas decorations down)
7th - Orthodox Christmas Day
8th – Diet Searches peak
12th – Alcohol-free searches peak
14th - Orthodox New Year
17th - Ditch Your Resolution Day #DitchYourResolutionDay
19th - Have a Brew and Chat Monday/Blue Monday
19th – Martin Luther King Day (US)
20th – Health Food Searches Peak
21st – National Hugging Day (US)
25th – Burns Night
25th - Dydd Santes Dwynwen (St Dwynwen's Day)
26th – Australia Day
26th – Indian Republic Day
27th – Chocolate Cake Day (US)
27th – Holocaust Memorial Day (US)
28th – Data Privacy Day
29th – Valentine’s Day searches rise
31st – Tax return payments are due today
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).
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.
NEW BRANDS ON PRSHOTS
Rhoen is the brainchild of designer Rebecca Rhoades. The Rhoen collection features ready-to-wear, bridal, party, signature and casual ranges of luxury womenswear, featuring big bright prints and colours in mini, midi and maxi lengths.
BRANDS WITH NEW IMAGES
Clothing, beauty and accessories
Barbour has new jumpers and bags for the New Year and has new collaborations with Ganni, Baracuta, Sorel, Levi’s, Arket, Paul Smith, Farm Rio and a collaboration with Kaptain Sunshine of outdoor wear.
New Look has new season outfits and accessories and drops of AW25 ranges including clothes, bags, shoes, boots and accessories.
Very has new Winter footwear, a Rebellious Romance clothing line for Valentines, a new Michelle Keegan collaboration, a new Very collection and new Winter layering ranges.
Roman Originals has new tops, trousers, skirts, coats and dresses ranges, new AW25 Dusk, Curve and Petite ranges for parties and going out, including coats, jackets, dresses and trousers.
Oliver Bonas has February and Valentine’s Day ranges of clothing, bags, jewellery and accessories.
Scamp & Dude has new Swag Bags with Purpose gift ranges for Valentine’s Day.
Matalan has new clothing ranges for Valentine’s Day, Souluxe pastel and print activewear for the new year and January transitional ranges, and a new nightwear collaboration with Little Mistress Vicky Pattison.
River Island has new SS26 lookbook images and cut-outs of clothing, bags and accessories, plus a new collaboration with Real Hackney Dave.
Bonmarché has new Lorraine Kelly Spring 2026 ranges.
Lola Starr has a new Earth Collection of activewear for the new year new you health kick.
Accessorize has new SS26 womenswear, new Valentine's day and & bridal accessories, Christmas gift ranges including slippers, scarves, gloves, hats and bags, plus accessory ranges with sunglasses, jewellery, and belts.
Monsoon has new clothing ranges for SS26, new going out bags, shoes and jewellery, a new collaboration with Sarah Corbett-Winder and AW25 clothing, jewellery and accessories.
Cotton Traders has new SS26 women’s and menswear available in January.
See additional new clothing and accessories images from
M&S Primark Threadbare Inspecs F&F TK Maxx Peacocks Curvy Kate
Home, garden and food
Home Bargains has Easter soft furnishings, Mother’s Day gifts, Valentine’s gifts, Desert Dusk and Coastal Retreat ranges plus active fitness equipment for the New Year healthy you campaign.
Very has new SS26 homeware including garden furniture, a new Michelle Keegan range of furniture and a Zen Minimalism, Revive Very Home range of items for the home, dining room, lounge and kitchen.
Habitat has new homeware gifts and things for Valentine’s Day and new Joy of Play, Riviera and Verde Luxe ranges of furniture, homeware and soft furnishings for SS26.
Homesense has gifts for Valentine’s Day new ranges of soft furnishings and things for the lounge, kitchen and dining room.
Dobbies Garden Centres has Easter gifts and decorations, Mother’s Day gifts, a collaboration with the RHS, Valentine’s gifts, plus outside dining tables, chairs, lighting and accessories, plus Winter gardening.
Oliver Bonas has new February and January homeware for the dining room, living room and bedroom, plus Valentine’s gifts.
Quorn Stone has new marble and stone effect ranges, new terracotta decorative tiles, natural stone range, marble and decorative effect tiles.
Hobbycraft has new Easter wreath ideas as well as Valentine gifts and ideas for adult crafters, children and teens.
Matalan has new spring and Easter presents and decorations and Valentine’s Day themed soft furnishings and bedding for the home, plus new Hello Spring ranges of homeware, and a new SS26 range of home furniture and soft furnishings.
M&S has new homeware ranges for the spring and summer.
Jellycat has new ranges of its soft toys and amuseables bags ready for Valentine’s Day, plus new ranges of soft toys and amuseables.
Sofology has new Georgio, Adler, Mayfair, Remy, Portbello, Fitzrovia and Waldorf ranges of sofas and chairs for your living room.
Furniture Village has its SS26 lineup of sofas, tables, chairs, beds, mirrors and shelving.
See additional new home images from
Designers Guild Dunelm TK Maxx Nest Cult Furniture Online Home Shop Cambridge Imprint Accessorize Homesense
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.
NEWSLETTER SECTIONS
THE LATEST RETAIL INDUSTRY NEWS
HOW TO GET YOUR BRAND NOTICED BY THE MEDIA
NEW IMAGERY ON PRSHOTS IN FASHION/BEAUTY/HOME
Related articles
