Editors' Top Reads: News from Boots, Skin Rocks, TheIndustry.beauty Summit and more...

Here are some of this week’s news and features highlights handpicked by TheIndustry.beauty team.

Highlights from TheIndustry.beauty Summit: Beauty [Un]Bound

TheIndustry.beauty’s debut summit brought together some of the UK’s most forward-thinking beauty leaders for a day of networking, insight and strategic thinking. And I may be biased, but it truly was a spectacular day!

Under the theme ‘Beauty [Un]Bound’, the programme of panel discussions, keynote interviews and expert presentations offered fresh perspectives on the forces shaping the future of beauty retail, giving attendees from Space NK, Harrods, Lush, Shiseido, Medik8, Aesop, Neal’s Yard Remedies, Rituals, Clarins, Philip Kingsley, Neom Wellbeing, Bio Sculpture, Elemis, Fenwick, L’Occitane, Thim Beauty, Gatineau, Jo Loves and more valuable insight and inspiration to inform their strategies.

Taking place at The Forum in London and hosted in partnership with logistics expert Bleckmann, the event provided a platform for industry leaders to explore emerging trends, share ideas and forge valuable new connections. Speakers included representatives from Boots, The Estée Lauder Companies, Kiko Milano, Holland & Barrett, Douglas, Sarah Chapman and Diptyque, among others.

We also heard from sponsors Noatum Logistics, Flixmedia, SoPost and Outform, who shared valuable insights through a series of expert presentations. Read the highlights here.

Sophie Smith, News Editor & Senior Writer.

Boots nears £7 billion sale to Canada’s Weston family

I was very keen to watch the latest developments in the Boots sale. After talks came to a stalemate in August, new reports this week suggest that Boots owner Sycamore Partners is in advanced talks over a sale to Canada’s Weston family worth around $9 billion (£7 billion).

The acquisition of Boots would mark the return of the Canadian branch of the Weston family to UK retail, after it sold Selfridges for £4 billion in 2022.

The British branch of the family, which is separate from the one making the Boots acquisition, continues to control Primark through Associated British Foods.

The newest chapter in the Boots sale follows months of negotiations with the Weston family, who reportedly lowered their offer after rival potential bidder Australian pharmacy group Sigma Healthcare exited the talks. The lower offer was rejected by Boots, but according to the Financial Times, the negotiations have since been picked up again, and the initial sale price of £7 billion remains on the table.

Camilla Rydzek, Senior News & Features Writer. 

TheIndustry.beauty Awards Winners’ Interview: Caroline Hirons on scaling Skin Rocks without losing its purpose

Skin Rocks won Best New Product: Skincare Treatment (Prestige or Luxe) for The Eye Cream at TheIndustry.beauty Innovators Awards 2026, recognising the brand’s results-driven approach to skincare.

Caroline Hirons founded Skin Rocks in 2022, building on her extensive industry experience and the highly engaged audience she developed through her beauty blog and social media. The brand launched with a results-focused skincare range before more recently expanding into Skin Rocks Pro, a professional line created for practitioners and designed to complement in-clinic treatments.

Earlier this year, Skin Rocks opened its first training hub in London, offering BABTAC- and CIBTAC-endorsed professional education. The brand has also continued to expand its international presence and introduced a new PLUS category last month, launching with The Support Mask, formulated to replenish moisture and help soothe dry, sensitive or compromised skin.

In this interview, Hirons discusses the development of the award-winning The Eye Cream, including the key priorities behind its performance, formulation and overall user experience. She also explores how innovation informs Skin Rocks’ wider growth strategy, the opportunities and challenges shaping the market, and what consumers can expect from Skin Rocks next.

Sophie Smith, News Editor & Senior Writer.

Hello Klean expands water-filtration range with new Skin Filter tap attachment

I recently discovered that we have hard water in London and it has made me think a lot more about what I am actually washing my hair and skin with. I had never really considered water as part of my beauty routine before, so Hello Klean’s new Skin Filter immediately felt like an interesting launch to me.

The tap attachment is designed to filter the water used when washing your face, with the brand saying it can reduce scale, lead and free chlorine. It also has a microbubble setting designed to help loosen things like SPF, make-up residue and daily build-up. I am interested to see whether filtering the water I use in London makes any difference to my skin and hair!

Catherine Rowe-Kosary, Junior Writer.