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PRShots Roundup brings you the latest retail news from Frasers, Asos, B&Q, Alibaba, Estée Lauder, Shein, Debenhams, Pinterest, Crocs, Matalan, Home Bargains, Wuka, Puig and Primark. Plus, will AI end SEO, why the role of CMO isn’t disappearing, but it is evolving and more.
THE LATEST RETAIL INDUSTRY NEWS
Royal Mail staff say they were told to hide post to look like delivery targets met
Postal workers from across the UK have told the BBC they are being asked to move or hide mail from senior bosses so it looks like delivery targets are being met.
Frasers increases exposure to UK online retailer ASOS
Mike Ashley's Frasers Group has increased its interest in ASOS to 29.26% from 28.42%, after it added potential voting rights through sold put options in the online retailer.
Kingfisher profit rises as B&Q and Screwfix cash in on Homebase fallout
B&Q and Screwfix parent Kingfisher total sales climbed 1.3% to £12.9bn in the year to 31 Jan, with adjusted pre-tax profit up 6% to £560m.
Estée Lauder and Puig confirm merger talks
Estée Lauder and Puig have confirmed they are in talks over a potential business combination in a move that could create a beauty group worth more than $40bn.
Alibaba sees a slowdown in its e-commerce business
Alibaba Q3 ending Dec 31, 2025 shows revenues of CNY284.8bn (£30.91bn), up 2%, but a 67% drop in net profit to CNY16.7bn (£1.81bn), due to heavy investments in technology infrastructure.
LVMH to Kering defy luxury slowdown with more stores in Europe
Owners of luxury brands ranging from Gucci to Fendi and Bulgari opened more stores in Europe last year despite a slowdown in the wider sector.
First-of-its-kind Royal Mail shop opens
The Royal Mail Shop has launched its first bricks and mortar store in Stevenage, where shoppers can collect, send and return parcels while charging their electric vehicles.
Shoppers say they'd pay more for seamless experience
A third of UK shoppers are prepared to pay more for a seamless shopping experience, rising to over 60% among 18–34s.
59% of Gen Z cut back on groceries to splurge on beauty and wellness
A growing share (59%) of Gen Z consumers are actively “trading down” in everyday essentials to fund beauty purchases.
Retailers push UK to join US and EU ending Shein parcel loophole
British retailers are pushing the UK government to end a tax loophole that has helped online giants Shein and Temu make significant inroads and gain market share.
Shein’s marketplace won’t be banned in France
The French government has failed in its attempt to implement a nationwide ban on the digital marketplace offered by Chinese ecommerce company Shein.
TRENDS, SUSTAINABILITY, STRATEGY AND TECHNOLOGY
From prompt engineering to data quality, SEO still depends on human input even with AI's expanding capabilities.
Why the role of CMO isn’t disappearing, but it is evolving
The latest data on senior job roles suggests far from fading away, the CMO role is evolving into something broader, more strategic and, in many cases, more powerful.
Customer retention key element of consumer marketing strategy in Europe
While agentic digital commerce is growing, the primary goal of European marketing professionals remains acquiring new customers.
Have retailers forgotten the art of trading?
With the retail sector currently staggering from one crisis to the next, Retail Week looks at whether many retailers and brands have simply forgotten the fundamentals of the business.
H&M’s UK boss on its commitment to the high street
As the chain marks 50th anniversary in Britain, Karen O’Rourke explains what makes it stand out against cut-price rivals
The global rise of second hand fashion
Buying preloved is no longer a compromise; it is a marker of creativity, sustainability and smart consumer choice.
Alibaba unveils full-scale AI agent for businesses
Alibaba International has unveiled its AI agent, Accio Work platform which requires zero setup and deploys specialised agents to execute complex operations from Day One.
PEOPLE, MOVERS AND SHAKERS
Debenhams Group appoints Richard Vanoli as managing director
Debenhams Group has appointed Richard Vanoli as managing director of Debenhams, with the retailer saying the move will support the next phase of growth for the business.
BRAND NEWS
Pinterest debuts shoppable TV series
Pinterest has launched its first shoppable TV series, testing out a new format for a more enhanced shopping experience.
Crocs continues with UK growth
Crocs is expanding its UK physical store presence with the opening of two new sites in Glasgow and London.
Matalan launches spring campaign to strengthen womenswear offering
Matalan aims to strengthen its womenswear offering with its new ‘Style for Every Moment‘ campaign for its Spring/Summer collection.
Home Bargains boosts pay for shopfloor workers
Home Bargains is boosting pay for its shopfloor staff by 4%, bringing it among some of the best-paying retailers for store workers in the UK.
Primark launches new spring campaign with second-ever UK TV advert
Primark has released its second-ever UK TV advert to celebrate the launch of its ‘Shockingly Chic’ spring campaign.
WUKA scales Tesco presence to boost accessibility
Sustainable period care brand WUKA has significantly expanded its retail partnership with Tesco, increasing its in-store presence from fewer than 300 locations to more than 1,800 nationwide.
AND FINALLY
KFC unveils one-off Pickle Puffer jacket amid 'pickle mania' on TikTok
KFC has unveiled a first-of-its-kind ‘Pickle Puffa’ jacket. Based on an idea from a fake AI-generated image, the real jacket is filled with sliced gherkins and pickle juice, complete with a built-in straw.
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PRSHOTS TOP 10 SEARCHES
What were our users searching for on PRShots Week ending Mar 20th 2026?
1/ SS26
2/ Easter
3/ Bag
4/ Dress
5/ Garden
6/ Denim
7/ Floral
8/ Shoes
9/ Gardening
10/ Stripe
PRSHOTS DIARY
PRShots Retail Calendar Alerts
Days until Easter –12
Days until Father’s Day – 89
Days until School Summer holidays (Scotland) - 100
Days until School Summer holidays (England&Wales) - 120
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;
Bridal Fashion Week London (22nd-24th)
The Big Walk and Wheel (26th – 27h)
March - Days
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
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;
Community Garden Week (1st – 7th)
Discover National Parks Fortnight (3rd – 17th)
Ideal Home Show (10th – 19th)
International Dark-Sky Week (13th – 20th)
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
1st – April Fool’s Day
1st – Passover Begins
2nd – Maundy Thursday
4th – Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race
5th – Easter Sunday
6th – Easter Monday
7th – World Health Day
7th – National Beer Day (US)
8th – Gym and fitness searches peak
9th – Grand National Weekend starts
9th – Passover Ends
11th – Grand National Race
10th-12th – Coachella Weekend One
12th - Olivier Theatre Awards
14th – Vaisakhi (Sikh New Year)
17th- 19th – Coachella Weekend Two
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).
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
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
Very has new womenswear and menswear ranges for the summer holidays, new denim ranges, a new collaboration with Adidas, and new Wuthering-Heights-inspired womenswear.
Accessorize has new kids beachwear, jewellery, and new womenswear and accessories including shoes, hats and bags.
Primark has a new Knit and Jersey ranges, new clothes for the beach, new bridal outfits, 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, and men’s linen ranges.
National Trust has new collaborations with clothing and accessory ranges for the outdoors for men and women from Craghoppers.
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.
Scamp & Dude has a new Super Scarf collaboration with Alison Hammond, new holiday outfits including dresses, shirts, swimwear and bags, a new Davina McCall collaboration plus new clothes and accessory ranges.
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 new SS26 menswear collaboration with actor Will Mellor and a womenswear collaboration with Alex Jones and new summer holiday wear, including dresses to tankinis.
Joe Browns has its SS26 mens and womenswear collections from jackets and t-shirts for men, to big print maxi-dresses to floral patterned tunic dresses for women.
Threadbare has new SS26 womenswear.
Oliver Bonas has new May summer fashion lines, plus April and March drops of hats, sunglasses, socks, shoes, sandals, clothing, bags, jewellery and accessories.
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.
Lola Star has a new Elevate range of athleisure wear.
River Island has a new Enid Blyton bag collaboration, 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.
M&S has a new Gillian Anderson collaboration, new Autograph lingerie and nightwear ranges, new menswear ranges, new SS26 accessories, jewellery, shoes and bags, underwear ranges.
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.
Bonmarché has new womenswear for the summer holidays modelled by Lisa Snowdon.
Deichmann has new boots and ballet flats.
Inspecs has a new Barbour range of sunglasses.
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.
See additional new clothing and accessories images from
Regatta Home Bargains Busby & Fox F&F Curvy Kate Fatface
Home, garden and food
Primark has new Island Heat ranges of homeware, new homeware for Easter including Easter decorations, vases, soft furnishings, candles, diffusers and kitchenware.
The Orchard has garden structures, new lounge, dining room and bedroom interior ranges including beds, sideboards, dressers, sofas, lighting, shelving, benches and more.
Jellycat has new ranges of amuseables for 2026 including Bartholomew Bear Junior.
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.
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.
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.
Homesense has new SS26 homeware for the lounge, bathroom, kitchen and dining room and Easter gifts for the home.
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 Easter and spring planting spree.
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.
M&S has a new Kelly Hoppen collaboration 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.
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.
See additional new home images from
Ruggable Sofology Home Bargains The Gluttonous Gardener Nest Arran Sense of Scotland
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.
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