Main Image: Joe Browns

PRShots Roundup brings you the latest retail news from Asos, Card Factory, Claire’s, Søstrene Grene, Footasylum, Primark, French Connection, Zara, Lounge, Ikea, House of CB and M&S. Plus, how to optimise for AI search optimisation, how to write a crisis-proof social media policy and more. 

THE LATEST RETAIL INDUSTRY NEWS

Asos improves profit despite revenue decline

Asos saw improved profits in its FY trading update, with EBITDA rising over 60%, to between £130m and £150m.

Card Factory looks ahead to festive season after first half profits slump

Card Factory is anticipating strong trading through the coming peak festive season, after profits slumped in the first half of its financial year.

Claire’s bought by Modella Capital

Fashion accessories retailer Claire’s has been bought out of administration by Modella Capital, which owns retailers TG Jones, Hobbycraft and the Original Factory Shop.

Søstrene Grene reports record-breaking turnover with 31% growth

Søstrene Grene reported record turnover for FY24/25, with turnover up 31% to £314m and gross profit up to £111m from £91m, with growth driven by strong international expansion and UK sales.

Royal Mail owner to rebrand thousands of Collect+ stores as it buys stake

Thousands of convenience stores will be branded Royal Mail Shop, after the delivery company’s new owner acquired a stake in the parcel network Collect+.

UK economy stalls in second quarter

The UK economy grew at a sluggish pace of 0.3% in Q2 according to the Office for National Statistics, slowing from 0.7% growth in Q1.

UK retail footfall ends September on a high note

UK retail footfall saw a “strong rebound” last week (21-27 Sept), with overall visits to UK retail destinations up by 5.4%, driven by a 7.7% surge in high street activity.

Footasylum circles former River Island sites

Footasylum will be taking over River Island's former store at Stockton-on-Tees, and is in negotiations with landlords for further stores.

TRENDS, SUSTAINABILITY, STRATEGY AND TECHNOLOGY

How to optimise for AI search optimisation

Econsultancy looks at how to optimise for the changes in search behaviour that have emerged as a result of the new paradigm, and how marketers can gauge the success of their efforts.

How to write a crisis-proof social media policy

Your brand may or may not have a major corporate social presence. But your employees and associates are absolutely using these platforms. And they may be using them to talk about you.

Why genAI search is as bad for shoppers as it is for marketers

GenAI search engines promise the “best” information, but deliver shallow, incomplete answers that frustrate buyers and shortchange sellers.

DressX launches AI-powered styling platform 'DressX Agent'

DressX has unveiled DressX Agent, which it calls the largest AI-powered try-on platform to date, featuring clothing to try on from over 200 luxury brands with over one million products to try on.

OpenAI Partners With Etsy, Shopify on ChatGPT Payment Checkout

The move opens up a new source of revenue for OpenAI, taking advantage of the heavy user traffic on ChatGPT, in addition to its traditional subscription model.

Primark says Gen Z is denim obsessed

According to Primark Gen Z loves denim, with 28% of the age group wearing denim for any occasion, from workwear (17%) to even weddings (10%).

Gen Z pave the way for resale fashion going mainstream in the US

The secondhand market for fashion in the United States is booming, as 93% of consumers have purchased a secondhand item over the past year, according to the 2025 Recommerce Report.

Calzedonia and partners launch “ReFilés” project to recycle tights across Europe

Backed by the European Union, the Re-Tights industrial initiative—known as “ReFilés” in French—is on a mission to build the first circular value chain for tights in Europe.

PEOPLE, MOVERS AND SHAKERS

French Connection makes key digital appointment

French Connection is raising its digital game, appointing Amy Booth as its new head of e-commerce. Booth joins the brand from LK Bennett, where she served as head of digital.

BRAND NEWS

Zara celebrates 50 years with capsule collection by 50 global creatives

Zara crowns its 50th-anniversary celebrations with the launch of a multi-category collection created in collaboration with fifty globally renowned creatives.

Lounge snaps up Emily Ratajkowski for AW25 campaign

Solihull-based womenswear brand Lounge has unveiled model and actor Emily Ratajkowski as the face of its autumn/winter 2025 collection.

Ikea rolls out Life at Home service for shoppers

Ikea has introduced a new Life at Home service which includes three new services – a home move and setup service with Just Move, energy services and an Ikea family credit card.

House of CB’s viral Bandage collection returns for AW

House of CB is relaunching its Bandage Collection for winter with items reimagined in a luxe palette of on-trend burgundies and chocolate browns. The summer collection sold out in under 24 hours.

M&S launches marketing drive to boost menswear shoppers

M&S is seeking to grow its menswear shoppers, as it launches a drive to move male customers from its food halls to its clothes departments and make menswear as popular as womenswear.

AND FINALLY

Highsnobiety discontinues retail after five years

Zalando-owned Berlin-based streetwear pioneer Highsnobiety is to close its web shop and repurpose its flagship store and go back to publishing.

PRSHOTS TOP 10 SEARCHES

What were our users searching for on PRShots Week ending Sep 26^th 2025?

1/ Christmas

2/ AW25

3/ Halloween

4/ Burgundy

5/ Mirror

6/ Trainers

7/ Cushion

8/ Brown

9/ Pink 

10/ Animal Print
 

PRSHOTS DIARY

PRShots Retail Calendar Alerts

Days until Halloween – 31

Days until Black Friday - 59

Days until Christmas Day – 86

Days until Valentine’s Day - 137
 

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

1^st-2^nd  – Yom Kippur

1^st – World Vegetarian Day

1^st – International Coffee Day

2^nd - Gandhi Jayanthi – The birthday of Mahatma Gandhi - Holiday India

2^nd – Navaratri Ends 

2^nd – Vijayadashami/Dussehra Hindu festival 

2^nd – National Poetry Day

3^rd – Mean Girl’s Day (apparently, it’s a thing right!!)

4^th – National Vodka Day (US)

4^th – World Animal Day

5^th – Harvest Festival 

5^th – UN World Teachers’ Day

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

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.

Primark has a new Rita Ora collaboration for AW25, new Stranger Things themed ranges, new denim ranges, Premium Essentials and Kem ranges, Snaffle ranges of accessories including bags, belts, jewellery and shoes.

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.

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. 

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.

River Island has New 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.

Matalan has 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.

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.

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

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

Monsoon has new AW25 clothing, jewellery and accessories, including bags, shoes, boots, scarves and jewellery, new wedding and bridal ranges.

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.

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

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.

Cotton Traders has new winter clothing ranges including coats, cardigans, trousers  and Christmas jumpers.

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.

Oliver Bonas has new autumnal womenswear including jumpers, cardigans, trousers, scarves and shoes, plus jewellery and clothing for September, new accessory drops including bags, hats, shoes, sandals, scarves and sunglasses.

See additional new clothing and accessories images from

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

Home, garden and food

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.

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.

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.

Hobbycraft has new Halloween and autumnal projects.

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

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.

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

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. 

Arran Sense of Scotland has new 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.

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.

M&S has new Christmas decorations for the tree and the home.

See additional new home images from

Habitat Nest Sofology TK Maxx 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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