Boots Acquired by Canada’s Weston Family for $8.9 Billion
The Westons agreed on Wednesday to buy the UK's Boots from Sycamore Partners and the Pessina family, pledging to invest in the retailer's stores and online and expand healthcare services.
Beauty
Analysis and advice on the fast-evolving beauty business.
Sunscreen Brand Vacation Takes Its Miami Pool Party Vibe to the Suburbs
Following a $6 million Series A funding round, the sunscreen brand prepares to move past its club of creative clientele and reach the masses.
What Can Beauty Expect From Generation Alpha?
The oldest members of the youngest generation turn 13 this year. Like Gen-Zers and millennials before them, they’re already being defined by a fresh set of beliefs, aesthetics and attitudes.
Unravelling the K-Beauty Paradox
South Korea is one of the world’s leading exporters of beauty products but the narrow definition of ‘K-beauty’ in international markets means many exciting brands in Seoul have yet to go global.
Bobbi Brown Does It Again
The makeup artist-turned-founder wants to fly solo with her second act: clean makeup range, Jones Road. Can she?
Sephora’s London Debut, Explained
The LVMH-owned beauty giant opened its first brick-and-mortar location in the UK after launching digital-first last October. The Business of Beauty breaks down Sephora’s strategy and what’s at stake for the retailer.
For Haeckels, the Future of Beauty Goes Beyond Natural
Amidst a battle over the meaning of “natural” and “clean” beauty, the Estée Lauder-backed skincare brand is betting on lab-grown ingredients to propel its growth.
L’Oréal Eyes Tech Talent, Puts Sustainability at the Fore
Beauty’s biggest player is leaning into artificial intelligence and placing a deeper focus on how its goods are made.
The Changing Face of Caroline Hirons
Hirons is arguably the most important figure in British beauty, but she’ll test the limit of her authority as she transitions from skin care expert to brand founder with her new line Skin Rocks.
Why Everyone Is Obsessed With the ‘Bold Glamour’ Filter
The TikTok filter went viral this week, further distorting our perceptions of reality.
Olaplex Expects Net Sales to Fall 15 Percent in 2023
CEO JuE Wong called 2023 a “reset” year for the company, after fourth-quarter sales fell 21 percent year-over-year to $130 million.
The Companies Behind Fashion’s Biggest Fragrances
Despite fast growth for independent fragrance brands, designer scents still make up most sales, and a few companies are the engines behind them. BoF unpacks the key players.
Kering’s Next Frontier: Beauty
The Gucci owner has hired former Estée Lauder executive Raffaella Cornaggia to lead its new beauty division, echoing the formation of the group’s eyewear unit in 2014. Why now for beauty and does this mean the beginning of the end of the licensing model for luxury brands?
THE NEWS IN BRIEF
Report: L’Oréal Explores Unloading Chemical-Related Liabilities
The French company has engaged restructuring advisers to explore options for rising US legal liabilities linked to its use of talc and other chemical ingredients in some of its cosmetic products, the Wall Street Journal reported on Monday.
Sycamore Said to Near Deal to Sell Boots
The private equity firm is nearing a deal, valued at $9 billion, to sell the UK health and beauty retail business to the Canadian branch of the billionaire Weston family, a source told Bloomberg.
Dyson’s $499 AI Toothbrush Sees Rocky Debut
The UK firm blamed a production error resulting in ‘water seepage’ for the disappearance of its newly launched camera-equipped toothbrush from stores.
Sephora to Launch at Marks & Spencer
‘Sephora at M&S’ will roll out in M&S stores and online starting next spring, with plans to expand to 100 locations by the end of 2028.
Novo Buys Rights to Early Obesity Pill For $2.6 Billion
The Wegovy maker has signed a deal to license an experimental obesity pill from China’s Jiangsu Hengrui Pharmaceuticals as it seeks to regain share of the global GLP-1 market.
Oura Delays US IPO
The smart ring maker said on Tuesday it has delayed its US initial public offering, citing market uncertainty.
Scarlett Johansson’s Skincare Brand The Outset Closes
As of Monday, the premium brand’s website has been updated with a message announcing its closure.