Editors' Top Reads: News from Boots, Sephora, Weleda and more...
Here are some of this week’s news and features highlights handpicked by TheIndustry.beauty team.
‘September reset’ gains momentum as UK consumers prioritise wellness
September is emerging as a second reset point of the year for UK consumers, with 44% saying it feels like the right time to get back into healthy habits, according to new research from Boots.
Honestly, I get it - I feel exactly the same. I’m heading into September with a reset mindset. I’ve even started taking some Heights vitamins, so I guess I really do fall into this statistic.
And I’m clearly not alone. For 40% of those surveyed, post-summer motivation is prompting healthier lifestyle changes, while 32% say they want to prepare their wellbeing for the colder months ahead.
It seems September really is becoming the new January - a chance to reset, refocus and start again, without quite as much pressure to reinvent yourself as the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Eve.
Sophie Smith, News Editor & Senior Writer.
The Interview: Weleda UK boss Jayn Sterland on 100 years of Skin Food, growth and sustainable beauty
Weleda has built a global reputation for its commitment to people, planet and high-quality, plant-based products since its founding in 1921.
Few people have witnessed the brand’s recent evolution as closely as Jayn Sterland, who joined the business in the mid-2000s after a visit to Weleda’s gardens sparked a lasting connection with its regenerative approach.
Since then, Sterland has played a pivotal role in expanding Weleda’s presence, championing Skin Food and helping to bring the heritage brand to new audiences and cultural moments.
As Weleda Skin Food celebrates its centenary in 2026, we talk to Sterland about the brand’s journey, the challenges of building a genuinely sustainable beauty business, the enduring appeal of Skin Food, and what the future holds for natural beauty.
Sophie Smith, News Editor & Senior Writer.
Sephora to open fifth London store this winter
Sephora's rapid expansion of its retail network shows no signs of slowing down. This week the beauty retailer announced the opening of its fifth store in the capital and its 15th in the UK. Its newest location is in the Brent Cross shopping centre in North London and planned to open in November, although an exact date has not yet been set.
Notably, Sephora only (re-)launched its physical retail footprint in the UK in 2023, after establishing itself online in 2022. On average since launching it has opened 3.75 stores every year. This marks the second attempt for Sephora to gain a foothold in the UK market. It previously had a five-year stint operating UK retail stores from 2000 to 2005.
What I find interesting as well is that the retailer is experimenting with different store formats. In July, Sephora UK opened its first boutique-format store on London's Carnaby Street, with a second boutique store opening in Spitalfields market the same month.
The retailer said the boutique concept was developed in response to customer feedback, with the smaller stores intended to complement its existing larger-format locations while supporting its evolving UK retail strategy.
"Since returning to the UK, our community has continued to ask for more Sephora locations across central London, so we're incredibly proud to bring this exciting new format to one of the world's most iconic shopping destinations after a period of regional expansion," commented Sarah Boyd, Managing Director at Sephora UK, at the time of the Carnaby Street store opening.
Beyond traditional retail models, the beauty giant is also looking to engage with its customers and beauty enthusiasts at large, by hosting its first UK edition of SEPHORiA, a festival dedicated to celebrating the creativity, innovation and discovery shaped by UK culture and the latest beauty trends.
Camilla Rydzek, Senior News & Features Writer.
The beauty advent calendars of 2026
This year’s beauty advent calendars continue to arrive and, as ever, our round-up is getting ahead of the rush, with updates planned over the coming months as more of the 2026 beauty advent calendar launches are revealed.
It comes as brands and retailers pull out all the stops to capture early festive demand, with higher-value assortments, an increasing number of full-size products and collectable packaging. As the category continues to raise the bar, these calendars are becoming bigger, better and more exciting with every season.
This year’s launches span everything from expansive beauty edits and cult-favourite collections to specialist fragrance and wellbeing calendars. Our round-up is already spotlighting some of the names we’re most excited about, including Liberty, Cult Beauty, Charlotte Tilbury, Lush, John Lewis and more.
Keep checking back as we continue to update our guide with the key beauty advent calendars to know for the 2026 festive season.
Sophie Smith, News Editor & Senior Writer.
