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PRShots Roundup brings you the latest retail news from White Stuff, Cotswold Company, New Balance, Harrods, Belstaff, Currys, Yoox, Morrisons, Matalan, Gymshark, Coperni, Sheep Inc and M&S. Plus, is retail ready for OpenAI Instant Checkout, the top 100 most reputable companies in the UK and more. 

THE LATEST RETAIL INDUSTRY NEWS

White Stuff sees strong sales rise in latest year

White Stuff sales in its latest FY to the end of March show sales rose 20.3% to £184m and also saw customer numbers up 41% as the business opened new stores and spent more on marketing.

The Cotswold Company prepares for sale

The Cotswold Company’s owner True Capital is gearing up for a sale of the furniture retailer and has appointed Arrowpoint Advisory to formulate a long-term disposal plan of the company.

New Balance UK sees strong year

New Balance’s UK arm turnover was up 16.3% to £1.026bn - the first time that sales had topped £1bn - driven by sales and margin growth across wholesale and direct to consumer channels.

Tesco and Sainsbury’s go head-to-head over Amazon Fresh stores

Supermarket giants Tesco and Sainsbury’s are battling over a share of the spoils of the former Amazon Fresh convenience store estate.

Harrods Group reports stable turnover despite luxury slow down

Harrods Group has reported a year of steady performance, with turnover rising by 0.6% to £1.08bn despite a challenging trading environment for the global luxury sector.

Belstaff sales dip but losses narrow as margins rise

Belstaff’s accounts for FY24 show profits up from £14.93m to £15.35m however sales fell by 5.2% to £54.6m up from a 3.6% drop in sales in the previous year.

Currys to hire over 1,000 staff ahead of Christmas season

Currys is looking to hire over 1,000 additional colleagues ahead of the peak Christmas season.

Yoox withdraws redundancy notices for 211 workers

Yoox has suspended with immediate effect the collective redundancy procedure for 211 employees, which had been announced in recent weeks as part of the reorganisation plan.

Oxford Street pedestrianisation boosts sales

The pedestrianisation of Oxford Street led to higher sales at the majority of stores on the busy high street, with businesses praising efforts to make traffic-free days more frequent.

TRENDS, SUSTAINABILITY, STRATEGY AND TECHNOLOGY

Is retail ready for OpenAI Instant Checkout?

OpenAI has officially announced the launch of its Instant Checkout, a feature that allows users to buy directly from merchants within ChatGPT but is retail ready.

The top 100 most reputable companies in the UK

Lego, Lush, Patagonia & Sony top the list of the most reputable companies in the UK, while X, Evri, Royal Mail & Ryanair fall to the bottom, reveals a major new study of 10,000 consumers.

Subscription confusion fuels costly chargebacks for retailers

Retailers are paying the price for forgotten or unwanted subscriptions in chargebacks, according to new research from Chargebacks911.

Over half of shoppers say customer experience is too generic

The new study shows that more than 60% of customers find communications from retailers irrelevant, while 56% feel the customer experience is too generic.

More than a third of Brits would give up online shopping over fears of identity theft

More than a third (35%) of Brits would give up online shopping over fears of identity theft, a new report has found.

Morrisons introduces app to track store staff efficiency

Store staff at Morrisons are facing increased monitoring from management following the introduction of an app that records how long staff take to replenish stock.

PEOPLE, MOVERS AND SHAKERS

Matalan strengthens leadership team with new hires

Matalan has bolstered its leadership team with new executive hires from John Lewis, Tesco, Sainsbury's and Primark to oversee buying, merchandising, trading, digital and marketing.

John Lewis names new director of merchandising

John Lewis Partnership has appointed Anna Milne as its director of merchandising, a new role that will be part of its management board.

John Lewis names chief people officer

The John Lewis Partnership (JLP) has appointed Helen Webb to the role of chief people officer, effective 24 November.

BRAND NEWS

John Lewis launches Closed Loop Initiative

John Lewis has launched the Closed Loop Initiative a unisex knitwear collection made in the UK from 100% reclaimed and repurposed wool, using a blend of pre and post-consumer fibres.

Marks & Spencer strengthens menswear

Marks & Spencer is continuing to strengthen its menswear offering with the launch of a performance-led edit, designed to target “modern living - across work, travel and leisure”.

Gymshark to open first permanent US store this month

Gymshark is set to open its first permanent store in the US at Roosevelt Field shopping centre in Long Island, New York, this month.

Coperni unveils probiotic-infused athleisure

French luxury label Coperni is launching an athleisure line incorporating biotech fabrics infused with probiotic ingredients designed to boost radiance, intersecting fashion, science and daily rituals.

Sheep Inc. to open first-ever flagsheep store

British carbon-negative label Sheep Inc., known for its natural fibre luxury fashion, is set to open its first-ever “flagsheep” store, off Carnaby Street on Newburgh Street, London.

Waitrose boosts London network with multi-million pound investment

Waitrose has boosted its commitment to the capital with a multi-million pound investment in its store network.

AND FINALLY

Irn-Bru unveils Spiced Cinnamon & Ginger Winter Bru

Irn-Bru is launching a limited-edition Winter Bru Spiced Cinnamon & Ginger variety. The limited-edition variety will launch on 1 Nov and be available for eight weeks.

Can feathers ever be ethical? Stella McCartney is betting on it

In her SS26 Paris Fashion Week show, McCartney debuted Fevvers, a plant-based material that claims to have the properties of bird feathers without the drawbacks. Can it reach scale?

PRSHOTS TOP 10 SEARCHES

What were our users searching for on PRShots Week ending Oct 3^rd 2025?

1/ Christmas

2/ AW25

3/ Halloween

4/ Dress

5/ Coat

6/ Brown

7/ Pyjamas

8/ Boots

9/ Scarf 

10/ Jumper
 

PRSHOTS DIARY

PRShots Retail Calendar Alerts

Days until Halloween – 25

Days until Black Friday - 53

Days until Christmas Day – 80

Days until Valentine’s Day - 131
 

How to make your products attractive to the media in October    

Our October 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 into autumn, and the nights are starting to draw in, and the heating is probably on.  The media are looking for images that reflect the changes, so anything that looks cosy and warm is suitable; roaring fires, big jumpers, coats, hats, knitwear, scarves, and wellies in a leaf-strewn outdoors – all the clichés – are what the media are looking for.

If you can do some night shots with sparklers, then you’re also ticking the boxes for Bonfire Night next month. We also have Halloween at the end of the month, so if you can get a pumpkin in your images, then you’re hitting two birds with one stone.   

You should be adding Christmas images, and for those magazines with very long lead times, then start to look for the images of people working off the Christmas excesses for the January issues. 

Don’t forget to add keywords like Gifts, Christmas, Xmas, Autumn, Winter, Halloween, Fireworks night and Bonfire night, as they will be looked for from now. Also, PRShots has a worldwide audience, so add those American holiday versions e.g. The Holidays, Fall, Pumpkin Day, Thanksgiving, etc and words like hygge that are starting to enter the language and are associated with the autumn.  

Media will also be searching for party outfits for Halloween, Guy Fawkes, and the office party season - which will soon be with us some businesses have their Christmas parties in November. 

The media are also starting to look for and create Christmas gift guides, so try and be creative, do ones for every eventuality e.g. gifts guides for him/her/mum/dad/kids/teenagers/pets etc also gifts under £150/100/£50 and guides for secret Santa’s gifts under £20.

Please put prices on everything!!! Otherwise, you stand no chance of getting into any of the features that include “Presents under £50”, “Party dresses for £150”, etc.   

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.

October Diary - Weeks/Months

October is also known as ‘Stoptober’, which started as a campaign around giving up cigarettes, but is now joined by MacMillans Go Sober for October, so if you have anything non-alcoholic, then get it on PRShots and make sure you add Stoptober and non-alcoholic as keywords.

It’s also Black History Month, Wool Month, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Menopause Month, Vegetarian Awareness Month, Apple Month, Cookie Month, Spinach Lovers' Month, Pork Month, and National Pasta, Chilli, and Pizza Month.

Fashion and Beauty Weeks and events include – Shetland Wool Week (28^th Sep – 4^th Oct),  Paris Fashion Week (29^th Sept - 7^th Oct), Ascot Fashion Weekend (3^rd-5^th), National Wedding Show Birmingham (4^th -5^th), National Wedding Show London (18^th -19^th), British Beauty Week (20^th-26^th), Gran Canaria Swim Week (22^nd- 25^th ), The Baby Show (24^th-26^th), National Wedding Show Manchester (25^th -26^th).

British Food Fortnight (26^th Sep - 12^th Oct)

National Vegetarian Week (1^st – 7^th)

Work Life Week (6^th- 10^th)

National Curry Week (6^th-12^th )

National Chocolate Week (12^th-18^th)

National School Lunch week US (13 ^th-17^th)

National Baking Week (14^th-20^th)

October - Days

6^th – World Smile Day

6^th – First Day of Sukkot – Jewish Holiday 

6^th - National Plus Size Appreciation Day

7^th – National LED Light Day

10^th – UN World Mental Health Day

10^th – National Cake Decorating Day

11^th – National Coming Out Day (UK/US)

11^th – UN International Day of the Girl

12^th-13^th – Hoshana Rabbah 

13^th – Last Day of Sukkot – Jewish Holiday 

13^th – National Yorkshire Pudding Day (US)

13^th – National No Bra Day

13^th-15^th – Shemini Atzeret 

14^th-15^th - Simchat Torah 

16^th – UN World Food Day

16^th – Department store day

18^th – National Chocolate Cup Cake Day (US)

18^th – World Menopause Day

19^th – International Gin & Tonic Day

20^th – Diwali (check for change)

20^th – National Office Chocolate Day (US)

25^th – World Pasta Day

25^th – 2 months until Christmas Day

26^th – National Pumpkin Day

26^th – Clocks go back tonight 

27^th – National American Beer Day

27^th – Global Champagne Day

28^th – National Chocolate Day (US)

29^th – National Cat Day (US)

31^st – Halloween

NB - All dates have been checked, but some events may change due to unforeseen circumstances or have not been fully confirmed for 2025 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 TO PRSHOTS

Gardena has been producing products and solutions for the garden for more than 50 years and operates in more than 100 countries. Products and services include watering, lawn care, tree and shrub care and soil cultivation.

Flymo invented the hover mower more than 50 years ago, and since then Flymo have become the market leaders in the design and innovation of unique gardening products, which makes gardening easier.

Salts Cashmere has launched a unisex range of cashmere jumpers and tops that are made in Yorkshire.

BRANDS WITH NEW IMAGES

Clothing, beauty and accessories

Primark has a new Edit range,  breast cancer awareness ranges of post-surgery bras, a new Rita Ora collaboration for AW25, new Stranger Things themed ranges, new denim ranges, Premium Essentials and Kem ranges.

River Island has new Heritage, Nostalgia and Studio womenswear ranges, a new collaboration with Olivia Attwood, new Suede season handbags, plus new ranges of clothing, shoes, bags, and accessories and new denim ranges.

Regatta has an Orla Kiely collaboration, plus new kids, womens and menswear for winter walks and hikes, including coats, jackets, fleeces and waterproofs, plus boots, scarves and hats. 

Matalan has new collaboration with Little Mistress Vicky Pattison, Grinch & Cindy themed clothing ranges for the family, new AW25 men and women’s wear, a new Alder Hey hospital collaboration, Halloween kids costumes, new baby, toddler and kids wear ranges, Et Vous ranges of women’s shoes and boots, men and women’s autumn winter ranges including Happily Denim After ranges.

Monsoon has a new collaboration with Sarah Corbett-Winder, AW25 clothing, jewellery and accessories, including bags, shoes, boots, scarves and jewellery, new wedding and bridal ranges.

TK Maxx has new fashion accessory ranges including scarves, bags and jewellery.

Roman Originals has new AW25 Dusk, Curve and Petite ranges, plus outfits with this year’s must-haves, crochet and embroidery/broderie anglaise, big-pattern midi-length dresses and Bardot tops.

Cotton Traders has new Will Mellow and Alex Jones collaboration lines, plus winter clothing ranges including coats, cardigans, trousers  and Christmas jumpers.

M&S has new Christmas clothing collections and Collection and Autograph clothing, accessories and jewellery, plus ballet shoe ranges, and new kids ranges of clothes and shoes.

Oliver Bonas has new November autumnal womenswear including coats, jumpers, cardigans, trousers, scarves and shoes, plus jewellery and clothing.

Joe Browns has new Christmas party and cosy evenings in outfits for men and women, Christmas jumpers and gifts for him and her, and Christmas bags, clothes, slippers, boots, shoes, jewellery and accessories.

Barbour has new collaborations with Paul Smith, Farm Rio and a collaboration with Kaptain Sunshine collaboration of outdoor wear, new Heritage ranges, clothing ranges plus new outfits and footwear for the festival season.

New Look has new autumn drops of AW25 ranges including clothes, bags, shoes, boots and accessories, plus new womenswear outfits and cowboy core womenswear drops.

Accessorize has a charm advent calendars, new AW25 womenswear, new jewellery, charms, socks, hats, scarves and wraps for Christmas, a new Palma range of womenswear shoes and accessories.

Bonmarché has a new Lisa Snowdon and Lorraine Kelly Christmas collections, new Christmas womenswear collections and Dash and Autonomy ranges of AW25 clothing.

Sims Wear has new women’s and men’s clothes and accessory ranges.

F&F has new Kids and womenswear Christmas clothing ranges, autumn womenswear ranges, a new Kate Ferdinand active wear collaboration.

George at Asda has new AW25 womenswear ranges of clothes and boots and an Erica Davies collaboration, plus the Tickled Pink cancer charity clothing ranges for Breast Cancer awareness month.

The Orchard has Christmas gifting clothing ranges for men and women.

Deichmann has new AW25 ranges of shoes, trainers, bags and boots for women.

Very has a new Michelle Keegan collaboration, new Elegant Opulence, Future Heirlooms and West Country Craft drops for its new Very Collection range of women’s clothing which includes the labels V by Very and Everyday, new Halloween outfits, including Addams Family ranges.

Inspecs has new Regen Optics glasses to reduce glare, blue light, plus lenses to enhance gaming, as well as campaign imagery of sunglasses for men and women from Radley, Superdry and Botaniq. 

Peacocks has new AW25 ranges, including a Dani Dyer Collection and a Louise Redknapp Edit.

John Lewis has new Topshop range, AW25 kidswear and womenswear lookbook images, plus bags, shoes, boots and accessories, a John Lewis x Rejina Pyo new collection.

Threadbare has new menswear and women’s wear ranges for the autumn and winter.

Fable England has a new range of scarves, bags, and jewellery plus Agnes jewellery, nightwear, scarf and bag range for the autumn.

See additional new clothing and accessories images from

M&S Iolla Scamp & Dude Tu Clothing National Trust Dune London

Home, garden and food

Quorn Stone has new natural stone range, marble and decorative effect tiles, Parisian Manoir, Lullington, Chalfont and Orotelli decorative tiles, plus new natural stone and Canyon Terrazzo effect porcelain tiles.

Regatta has an Orla Kiely collaboration of thermos mugs, cool bags, picnic rugs and totes.

Habitat has new Christmas decorations for the home and the tree.

TK Maxx has new things for the home.

Hobbycraft has new Halloween and autumnal projects.

M&S has a new Kelly Hoppen collaboration, new Christmas homeware for the kitchen, bedroom and lounge plus decorations for the tree and the home.

Oliver Bonas has a new Shrimps collaboration of homeware, new furniture, Christmas decorations, gifts and things for the home, plus new November/October drops of homeware ranges for the lounge, bedroom, kitchen, dining room and lounge for AW25.

The Orchard has new home interiors, Christmas furnishings, tabletop fire pits and mini pizza ovens, artificial Christmas tree ranges, new Miami Corner Group sofa, new autumn and Halloween decorations.

Arran Sense of Scotland has new festive collections, Island Dusk range, 2025 Christmas gift packs and an advent calendar, new refill packages, home fragrances, scented candles, plus a new mum and bride scent range.

Joe Browns has new Christmas gifts, plus homeware including lights, faux plants, signs, lamp shades, dining and drink ware, trays, coasters, stools, side tables soft furnishings, prints and throws.

Primark has a new lowkey luxury ranges, a new Viral Product range, Halloween decorations and gifts, back-to-college ranges, harvest festival ranges of decorations, and Edit homeware ranges.

Treats by Mars has new vegan Galaxy dairy-free biscuits and selection boxes, Malteser gingerbread cake bars, Mars and Snickers flavour milk drinks, M&M festive and Halloween hot chocolate kits and Galaxy hot chocolate ranges.

B&M has its Christmas Gift Guide for her, Frosted Night, Nordic Glow, Peaceful Wishes, Snow Much Fun and Festive Folklore Christmas decorations, homeware for back to college, university Halloween decorations and accessories.

Homesense has new Halloween and Christmas decorations for the home, new furniture and accessory ranges for the kitchen and living room, including soft furnishings, dishes and glassware.

Very has new homeware for the kitchen and lounge, new Halloween and Christmas decorations for the home, plus Christmas toys and homeware.

Cambridge Imprint has place cards, notebooks, patterned papers, new notecards and envelopes, Christmas cards, garlands, paper chains, coronets, banners, plus notebooks, and exercise books.

Designers Guild has new AW25 accessory ranges, and new Trevenna AW25 ranges of big-patterned print material for curtains and soft furnishings.

Matalan has Christmas decorations and gifts, AW25 homeware for the autumn including Halloween and Harvest Festival themed soft furnishings.

Dobbies Garden Centres has Halloween decorations, autumn houseplants, a new RHS collaboration range of gifts, plus Christmas decorations, gifts and food.

Ruggable has a range of Christmas themed rugs and carpets, plus Halloween and Autumn-themed doormats as well as rugs in autumn colours.

Accessorize has new Christmas decorations for the tree.

George Home has Tickled Pink cancer charity food and drink ranges for Breast Cancer awareness month and has new AW25 Cosy Autumn, Autumn Revival, French Fancy and Serene ranges of tableware, tables, lights, candles, cushions, and soft furnishings.

Jellycat has new Christmas cuddly toys and tree decorations, new Halloween themed cuddly toys and amuseables, plus new designs and bag charms. 

John Lewis has its new Ancient Wonders, Worldly Treasures and Heirloom Splendour ranges of Christmas 2025 decorations and homeware, and a new collaboration with John Cooper and AW25 lookbook images from its Heritage, Modern Luxe and Timeless range of homeware collections.

Oriana B has new furniture ranges including side tables, sideboards.

Ivyline has a selection of Autumn and Halloween decorations, Christmas trees, tree decorations, lights and decorations for the home plus candle holders, pots and vases.

Home Bargains has new autumn and Halloween things for the home as well as Christmas decorations and homeware.

Dunelm has a new homeware for the autumn, plus festive Kitschmas collaboration with designer Sophie Robinson, a new AW25 Modern Nostalgia, Into the Wild, Harvest Hues and Quite Luxury collections of homeware including furniture, bedding, curtains, soft furnishings.

See additional new home images from

Nest Sofology National Trust

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.    

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