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PRShots Roundup brings you the latest retail news from Tesco, M&S, Greggs, Wolf & Badger, Space NK, Hanky Panky, Gola, JD Sports, John Lewis, Tommy Hilfiger, Sainsbury’s, IKEA, Naia Beach and Primark. Plus, how will GenAI and agentic shape customer experience in 2026, 4 trends marketers must follow in 2026 and more.
THE LATEST RETAIL INDUSTRY NEWS
Tesco adjusts profit forecast following Christmas sales boost
Tesco reported a solid like-for-like sales growth in the Q3 and Christmas period to 3 Jan with sales up 2.9% and expects FY25/26 profit to be at the upper end of its £2.9-3.1bn guidance.
M&S fashion sales dip as cyberattack 'long tail' weighs
M&S’s Golden Quarter was “solid” with sales - excluding Ocado retail - up 3.3% to £4.15bn but sales in its Fashion, Home & Beauty were down 2.5% to £1.73bn.
Primark reins back expectations after sales in Europe plunge
Primark has reported tough trading overseas, prompting it to cut sales growth expectations and hitting profitability.
Greggs posts fourth quarter sales growth despite ‘challenging’ market
Greggs has posted a 7.4% increase in Q4 sales despite “challenging” market conditions with FY sales up by 6.8% year-on-year to £2.151bn.
US becomes largest market for Wolf & Badger
Wolf & Badger marked its 15th anniversary with a series of major milestones, including surpassing $500m (£369m) in sales, and marked the first time the US accounted for more than half its sales.
Space NK delivers surging sales and profits
Space NK FY figures to end of March 2025 show turnover up 35% to £266m from £196.5m, with EBITDA up to £26.47m from £15.94m.
Crown acquires intimates brand Hanky Panky
Crown Brands Group, a newly formed brand management firm, in partnership with Rafar Group, the parent company of Gelmart International, has acquired lingerie brand Hanky Panky.
Gola owner Jacobson Group snapped up by US platform
Jacobson Group owner of lifestyle footwear brands including Gola, Ravel and licensed brands Dunlop and Lonsdale, has been acquired by Marubeni Consumer Platform US (MCPU).
Waterstones close to appointing IPO adviser
Waterstones owner Elliott Management is close to hiring bankers to work on a multi-billion-pound listing of the bookseller.
UK festive spend almost hit £20bn
Shoppers spent £19.6bn during the four weeks of the festive period to 27 Dec, with total till sales growing by 3%, according to the latest figures from NielsenIQ.
Boxing Day footfall reaches highest level in a decade
The strongest footfall performance in a decade was recorded on Boxing Day, climbing 4.4% year on year across all retail destinations.
Amazon accused of listing goods from other websites without consent
Amazon has been accused of listing items from independent retailers without their permission via its “Buy for Me” function, which was rolled out last April.
TRENDS, SUSTAINABILITY, STRATEGY AND TECHNOLOGY
How will GenAI and agentic shape customer experience in 2026?
The impact of GenAI on commerce has become a major topic of conversation. Econsultancy reveals what this means for the customer experience, and how brands should approach loyalty in 2026.
4 trends marketers must follow in 2026
Martech explores how marketers head into 2026 navigating AI’s next phase, looming tech change and an inbox that’s quietly evolving with cautious optimism intact.
3 brand mistakes that AI will keep amplifying in 2026
Reactive crisis response, neglected executive narratives and reckless AI adoption continue to haunt brands as genAI recirculates past controversies.
How sustainability can help drive subscription loyalty
Sustainability remains an important loyalty driver for retailers with seven in 10 UK consumers now expect brands to help them live more sustainably.
UK shoppers turn to online grocery shopping for Christmas
NielsenIQ figures show 29% of households opted to shop online for groceries over Christmas, making it the fastest-growing channel (up 9.9%) and drove online share to 13.5%, up from 12.6%.
AI personal shoppers possible within next five years
A new Information Commissioner’s Office report highligs how agentic AI, which acts autonomously and completes tasks without being prompted, has the potential to transform consumer behaviour.
Retailers are increasing their AI budgets in 2026
NVIDIA’s third annual State of AI in Retail and Consumer Packaged Goods survey report, shows maturation of the technology as companies move AI projects from pilot to production in all areas.
PEOPLE, MOVERS AND SHAKERS
JD Sports global managing director exits
JD Sports global managing director Michael Armstrong has stepped down after less than three years in the role, and a more than 30-year tenure at the business.
John Lewis’ head of women’s brands and own label exits
Claire Miles has announced her departure from John Lewis, where she had served as head of women’s brands and own label for over three and a half years.
BRAND NEWS
Tommy Hilfiger Launches Global Partnership With Liverpool FC
The brand’s latest professional sports deal is its first formalwear partnership with a football club in over 20 years.
Sainsbury’s launches 2-year graduate programme focused on AI and data
Sainsbury’s is launching a new FutureMaker graduate programme, which will create nearly 50 roles and with a focus on developing skills in artificial intelligence and data.
IKEA to close seven stores in China amid strategy shift
IKEA is to close seven stores in China, where consumer sentiment remains muted. There are currently around 40 IKEA stores in mainland China, and it has opened five new stores recently.
Tess Daly’s Naia Beach launches activewear
Luxury swimwear brand and Drapers Independents Awards 2024 winner Naia Beach, co-founded by broadcaster Tess Daly and Gayle Lawton, has grown its offer with an activewear range.
Primark launches biggest activewear range to date
Primark has launched what it claims is its biggest activewear range to date, encompassing 240 pieces across its womenswear, menswear and kidswear categories. See all images here Primark.
Pour Moi launches first athleisure range
Womenswear brand Pour Moi has expanded into athleisure with the launch of a 20-piece collection spanning joggers, sweatshirts and wrap cardigans.
AND FINALLY
Zadeh kicks founder sentenced to 70 months for ‘sneaker fraud’
The founder of reseller Zadeh Kicks was sentenced to almost six years in prison for a fraud conspiracy that led to the infamous collapse of the online platform and $80m in losses.
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 Winter Olympics Milano Cortina - 29
Days until Valentine’s Day – 37
Days until Winter Paralympics Milano Cortina - 57
Days until Mother’s Day – 66
Days until Easter – 87
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 (Olympics Feb 6th -22nd and the Paralympics Mar 6th -15th), 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
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
Very has a new Transitional Very Collection, new Valentine’s related clothing, a 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.
River Island has new To Have and Hold wedding range of womenswear and accessories, SS26 lookbook images and cut-outs of clothing, bags and accessories, plus a new collaboration with Real Hackney Dave.
Bonmarché has new Dash ranges and Lorraine Kelly Spring 2026 ranges.
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.
New Look has new season outfits and accessories and drops of AW25 ranges including clothes, bags, shoes, boots and accessories.
Scamp & Dude has new outerwear ranges and ‘Swag Bags with Purpose’ gift ranges for Valentine’s Day.
Monsoon has new Bridal ranges, new Jan and Feb drops, 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.
Primark has new athleisure wear for the spring for men and women, plus new cosmetics ranges.
Deichmann has a new Bridgerton collaboration of shoes, bags and accessories.
F&F has its new spring womenswear ranges of clothes, including jackets, coats, dresses and lingerie.
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.
Oliver Bonas has February and Valentine’s Day ranges of clothing, bags, jewellery and accessories.
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.
Lola Starr has a new Earth Collection of activewear for the new year new you health kick.
Cotton Traders has new SS26 women’s and menswear available in January.
See additional new clothing and accessories images from
M&S Threadbare Inspecs TK Maxx Peacocks Curvy Kate
Home, garden and food
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.
Very has new Very collection storage solutions, new beauty and wellness tech, 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.
Quorn Stone has new natural stone, and marble and stone effect ranges, new terracotta decorative tiles, natural stone range, marble and decorative effect tiles.
Home Bargains has new Hinch interior ranges, new 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.
Oriana B has furniture for the home including mirrors, display cabinets, armchairs, lamps and sideboards.
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.
Oliver Bonas has new February and January homeware for the dining room, living room and bedroom, plus Valentine’s gifts.
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
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NEW IMAGERY ON PRSHOTS IN FASHION/BEAUTY/HOME
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