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.
Advice for Glossier’s New CEO
Kyle Leahy, a veteran of Nike and Cole Haan, succeeds founder Emily Weiss. But will a traditional retail executive be able to steer an untraditional brand?
Beauty’s Place in the Metaverse
Across the industry, brands are experimenting in the metaverse by launching NFTs, digital storefronts and virtual products for avatars in worlds like Decentraland and Roblox.
Chanel’s Beauty Business Could Be Majority DTC ‘Within A Few Years’
CFO Philippe Blondiaux told BoF that beauty e-commerce sales jumped 32 percent last year, and the brand opened more than 50 standalone cosmetics boutiques as the division reduces its reliance on wholesale partners.
The Search for the Next Skin Care Trend
Garance Doré, one of the original fashion bloggers, is launching a brand that embraces simple, French-inspired beauty routines, in a market where multi-stage regimens are the norm.
Colour Cosmetics Make a Bold Comeback
Makeup is now growing twice as fast as skin care as beauty shoppers turn to neon eyeshadows and bold shimmery blushes to create looks inspired by TikTok trends and the Y2K revival.
Why Lady Gaga’s Haus Beauty Needed a Rebrand
Almost three years after teaming up with Amazon to introduce Haus Labs, Lady Gaga is taking an old school approach to beauty retail when she re-launches the makeup line with Sephora next week.
Meet Olaplex’s First AI Employee
The prestige hair care brand is introducing a virtual team member based on an amalgamation of its employees in a bid to double down on its tech-first positioning and give itself a face.
Why the Met Gala Probably Won’t Kick Off Many Beauty Trends This Year
With viewers preoccupied by real-world events, even Kim Kardashian’s platinum blonde hair can’t provide an escape.
What’s Driving the Escapist Fragrance Boom
Sales of bold scents inspired by far-off destinations led to a fragrance boom during the pandemic and the return of travel hasn’t slowed momentum.
Madison Reed Raises $33 Million With an Eye on Brick and Mortar
Armed with a new funding round, the hair colour brand plans to open up 20 more of its Colour Bars in 2022.
What Scarlett Johansson and Winnie the Pooh Have in Common
Both are recent entrants in a crowded field of actors, singers and the occasional cartoon character launching beauty lines. Success means creating a product that could stand on its own even without a famous founder.
How to Make Virtual Events Work Beyond the Pandemic
Over two years into the pandemic, brands are once again filling calendars with physical events. But their virtual counterparts remain a vital part of their toolbox.
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.