Editors' Top Reads: News from Belif, Coty, John Lewis and more...
Here are some of this week’s news and features highlights handpicked by TheIndustry.beauty team.
The Interview: How Belif is shaping its success in UK amid K-beauty's global rise
K-beauty has continued to dominate the global skincare scene in 2025 and shows no signs of slowing. Among the brands making waves is Belif, which launched in the UK this year, introducing its cult-favourite products to British beauty enthusiasts.
A skincare staple across Asia for decades, the viral brand is available in over 37 countries worldwide and, after thriving in the US and other Western markets, is now making its mark in the UK through Boots, Harrods, Skin Cupid, Beauty Bay, and more.
Steven Jeong, UK Managing Director of Belif owner LG H&H, shares insights on the brand’s journey, what fuels its innovation, and its performance in the UK market. He also discusses how Belif balances global brand consistency with adapting to local preferences - and much more. Read the full interview here.
Sophie Smith, News Editor & Senior Writer.
Is Coty CEO Sue Nabi set to exit as owner plans leadership shake-up?
Coty could be on the brink of a significant leadership reset, with reports suggesting both CEO and board chair Sue Nabi may exit the beauty group as its controlling shareholder, JAB Holding, pushes for change. While neither party has commented, the speculation alone speaks to the pressure building behind the scenes at one of beauty’s most closely watched players.
The timing is telling. The beauty group is under pressure - from a sliding share price and intensifying mass-market competition to an ongoing strategic review of its consumer beauty division. Add to that the long-term implications of losing the Gucci beauty license, and the picture becomes harder to ignore.
Any leadership change would have implications not just for Coty’s portfolio - including Rimmel, Max Factor, and its fragrance licenses - but also for how legacy beauty groups adapt to a faster, more digitally led market. In a market where growth is no longer guaranteed, Coty’s next move will be closely watched.
Chloé Burney, Senior News & Features Writer.
Nostalgic, skin-first and wellness-driven: John Lewis reveals top beauty trends of 2025
2025 has been a year defined by playful, skin-first beauty and wellness innovations, according to John Lewis's twelfth annual How We Shop, Live and Look report.
Skin tints have seen a dramatic rise in popularity, fuelled by TikTok influencers and a broader shift from heavy makeup to a more skincare-first approach. Alongside this, glossy, playful products with a late-1990s vibe have made a major comeback, with Lancôme resurrecting its Juicy Tube lip gloss and Clinique giving new life to its Chubby Stick.
Consumers are also embracing a "dual-desire" approach, balancing indulgence with practicality. While premium fragrances continue to fly off the shelves, affordable skincare products under £12 - like balms, creams, and serums - have seen a 26% surge in sales.
Read the full trend summary here.
Sophie Smith, News Editor & Senior Writer.
Festive footfall begins to build with ‘all eyes now on Super Saturday’
Apparently, tomorrow, 20 December, is deemed ‘Super Saturday’ (SS) due to the mass flux of people descending on their local high streets to spend their dosh (if they’re paid yet) on last-minute Christmas gifts. Seriously? I’d prefer to call it ‘Avoid Like the Plague Saturday’, or maybe ‘Slip in Late Doors on Sunday’ if needed. What is the attraction? The sales are all already on, I hear you say, but haven’t they been since at least two weeks prior to ‘Black Friday’?
According to the latest ‘data’ from ShopperTrak Analytics from Sensormatic Solutions (do they actually visit high streets, I wonder), last weekend saw UK footfall rise 4.4% week-on-week as we count down to tomorrow’s SS. Not only that, UK shoppers were expected to have made 20.6 million transactions over Friday and Saturday last week (12 and 13 December), according to separate figures from Nationwide, which was 6.39% higher than 2024. I admire those people who shopped so ferociously in the wake of Rachel Reeves’ Budget, but I definitely wouldn’t want to be a shopkeeper in January 2026 when everyone is skint.
According to the ‘data’, last year on Super Saturday, footfall jumped 4.1% week-on-week - an improvement of 0.8% year-on-year (wow, I hear you say) - as shoppers scrambled to pick up last-minute gifts, “spurred on by some retailers bringing forward Boxing Day discounts to drive up pre-Christmas demand.” That could be edited very differently: ‘spurred by some retailers bringing forward Boxing Day discounts to make sure there’s less unsold stock - and a few extra quid in the till - come rent and business rates pay day in the New Year.’ Happy Christmas, folks!
Tom Bottomley, Contributing Editor.
From brain wealth to gut health: Holland & Barrett reveals wellness trends for 2026
If you had asked me a year ago which supplements I was taking, I would have said "none". If you had asked me this morning, I would have said three. And I've just taken delivery of some supplement patches that I am going to try starting tomorrow. If you think I've been swept up by the wellness wave, then you should see what my business partner Antony Hawman is taking on a daily basis. Time and space constraints don't allow me to even begin with that list.
Holland & Barrett has released its trends report for 2026 and it seems Ant and I are far from the only ones to be taking our health into our own hands. The rise of GLP-1 medications and natural alternatives, AI-facilitated health trackers (Ant has the Oura ring, I'm close to investing), protein-fuelled workouts and the quest for inner beauty are all driving a booming market.
In fact, Holland & Barrett - which until not long ago I thought of as a place to buy meal replacement shakes and vitamins - is itself on a roll thanks to this movement. My local branch has been upsized and given a glow-up, and is now one of my favourite places to browse. It's like the Space NK of wellness.
2026 will usher in even more innovation in this space. Have a read of their report here, and if you aren't at least taking Collagen and a probiotic every day right now, then you might be after you read it... (Please note, I am not offering health advice. Do your research, speak to an expert and do what is right for you. But the collagen really does work!).
Lauretta Roberts, Co-founder, CEO and Editor-in-Chief.
