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.
BoF LIVE: What’s Next for Glossier?
BoF’s Lauren Sherman and Cheryl Wischhover break down how the direct-to-consumer pioneer lost its footing in a quickly-evolving beauty industry as well as what the future holds for the brand.
A-Frame, the Celebrity Brand-Building Platform, Raises $11.2 Million
The company, which backs personal care brands fronted by the likes of John Legend and Naomi Osaka, is gearing up for three brand launches over the next six months.
Can Refillable Beauty Go Mainstream?
Chanel, Dries Van Noten and Target are debuting beauty products that are meant to be replenished, in a sign that the concept may be starting to catch on.
Byredo’s Ambitions to Become Beauty’s Next Megabrand
The luxury beauty brand has entered a new phase of growth over the pandemic, almost doubling sales to reach €119 million and launching cosmetics. With a skincare debut on the horizon, can the niche fragrance label turn itself into a true beauty powerhouse?
What’s Next for Glossier?
For our latest online BoF Professional Membership event, please join BoF chief correspondent Lauren Sherman and beauty contributor Cheryl Wischhover, who will break down the ways in which Glossier lost its grip — and a potential path to recovery.
Perfume Gets in the Collaboration Game
Taking a page from the streetwear playbook, niche perfume houses offer collaborations as an attractive alternative to the standard licensing deal.
Olaplex Created a $10 Billion Buyout Bonanza
A hair care start-up that was helped out of obscurity by an endorsement from Kim Kardashian is on track to earn its private equity owner one of the biggest and fastest payouts in the history of the industry.
Inside the High-End Perfume Boom
From fast-growing pure players like Amouage and Byredo to top-end launches from luxury's biggest names, the world of niche fragrances is getting a whole lot bigger.
Why The Ordinary Is Coming Out as Pro Sulphate
In launching its new hair care line, the brand is highlighting its inclusion of an ingredient — sulphates — that its “clean” competitors say they do not use.
What Estée Lauder’s Latest Investment Says About Its Acquisition Strategy
The conglomerate’s minority investment in UK-based beauty brand Haeckels speaks to a beauty acquisition space that prioritises earlier-stage companies and greater autonomy for brands.
Kim Kardashian West’s Coty-Backed Skin Care Line Set to Launch This Spring
The move comes as Coty, which saw its sales increase 12 percent year-over-year, is doubling down on skin care to build on more positive momentum for the conglomerate.
How Beauty Brands Are Building Their Tech Muscle
With the past year’s flurry of tech-focused mergers, acquisitions and partnerships, the beauty industry increasingly resembles Silicon Valley. But the bets on beauty tech are just beginning.
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.