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.
#BoFLIVE: Sephora and the State of Beauty Retail
Sephora is beset by challenges across several sales channels and global markets. As rivals now look to disrupt the original disruptor, the authors of BoF’s latest case study and a host of experts explore the future of the LVMH giant through its colourful history, delving into its current challenges and strategy to reveal how Sephora’s next chapter may be its most arduous yet.
Naomi Osaka to Launch Skin Care Brand for People of Colour
The tennis star is CEO of Kinló, a new venture launched with Los Angeles-based A-Frame Brands aiming to provide sun and skin protection to underserved, darker-skinned consumers.
The Tricky Business of Clean Fragrance
Marketing a perfume as sustainable is easy. Actually crafting an eco-friendly product is far more complicated.
Brands Sink Their Teeth Into Oral Care
Start-ups and consumer product giants are reinventing products like toothpaste and mouthwash, hoping a luxury or sustainable twist will nab health-conscious consumers.
Prose Wants to Customise Everything in Your Bathroom
The customisable hair care brand wants to become a CPG powerhouse and is investing in new products and key hires to do so
What Does the Beautycounter Acquisition Mean For Its Future?
The deal, which sees Carlyle Group take a majority stake in the clean beauty brand and value it at $1 billion, sets Beautycounter up for future growth.
Why Do Conglomerates Close Beauty Brands?
Just six weeks after Estée Lauder announced it would shutter makeup line Becca, the beauty giant said it would also close Rodin Olio Lusso. Shiseido and LVMH’s Kendo are rethinking their portfolios, too.
Makeup Artist Violette Launches Brand
Backed by $2.75 million in seed funding, the YouTube star debuts a multi-category collection that aims to hit a sweet spot between Instagram face and ‘effortless’ beauty.
Is Scalp Care the New Skin Care?
As interest in self-care and wellness surges, brands and consumers are applying ingredient formulations and rituals associated with skin care to hair care regimes.
The Pros and Cons of Selling Skin Care in Clinics
Going clinical can be a lucrative way for beauty brands to diversify their revenue streams, but not all businesses are cut out for it.
What Beauty Products Will Consumers Buy in 2021?
Beauty companies preparing for post-pandemic life have accepted that skin care and natural makeup are here to stay — but are still plotting a colour cosmetics comeback.
Is There KVD Beauty Without Kat Von D?
LVMH’s Kendo is revamping the brand, hoping to move past the departure of its controversial founder. But rapidly changing beauty trends and stiff competition may prove even bigger hurdles.
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.