Editors' Top Reads: News from Boots, Superdrug, Cult Beauty and more...

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

In Pictures: Boots opens new beauty-only concept store in Bristol

Boots launched a striking new Beauty concept store in Bristol this week, and it is already making a strong impression. As the retailer’s second Boots Beauty concept location and the first outside London, it marks a significant step in its wider beauty expansion strategy.

Spanning 11,000 sq ft, the store brings together more than 200 brands across skincare, haircare, fragrance, cosmetics, wellness and electrical beauty. The line-up includes popular names such as Kylie Cosmetics, One/Size, Wonderskin and SheGlam, alongside a selection of UK high street exclusives.

The space is designed to feel immersive and experience-led, with a rotating “Trending on Social” display showcasing products gaining momentum online. Responding to continued demand for K-beauty, the Bristol store also expands its South Korean beauty offering, with brands including Beauty of Joseon and Dr Reju-All.

A new Wellness Zone further broadens the focus, bringing together supplements and ingestible beauty products such as collagen and other wellness-led ranges. Customers can also take advantage of a range of in-store services, including scalp health consultations, advanced skin imaging and analysis and express makeup services delivered by beauty specialists.

I suddenly wish I lived closer to Bristol to check out this new store... I wonder where the next one will be!

Sophie Smith, News Editor & Senior Writer.

UK families cut back on suncream use as costs rise, survey finds

New research suggests that the rising cost of suncream is influencing how UK families use and reapply suncare products, with many reporting that it places noticeable pressure on their summer budgets. According to Superdrug, suncream is widely seen as essential, but affordability is becoming an increasing concern.

The retailer's research shows that 76% of respondents believe suncream is an essential purchase, but 56% say suncare adds noticeable pressure to their summer budget, and 37% report that price affects how much they use.

This is upsetting and worrying for various reasons. Household budgets are being squeezed to breaking point with the price of food and petrol skyrocketing. Adults are now reporting that they are rationing their own use of SPF to ensure their kids are covered. This is understandable behaviour, but with Cancer Research UK estimating that up to 9 in 10 melanoma skin cancer cases in the UK could be prevented through safer sun habits and avoiding sunbeds, it's not ideal for anyone to be scrimping.

Superdrug is doing its bit by keeping the price of its Solait range in check (prices start at just £4), but it still seems absurd to me that the UK government charges 20% VAT on sunscreens, deeming them to be "cosmetic" products. Our Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, has cut VAT on tourist attractions this summer to encourage people to get outside. If she's doing that, the next logical step is to ensure they are protected while they are out there. VAT needs to come off sunscreen too.

Lauretta Roberts, Co-founder, CEO and Editor-in-Chief.

AI shopping experiences outperform traditional search in driving sales

We are seeing accelerated consumer demand for AI-led discovery in the health and beauty sector, with latest research showing that AI search is now leading to more sales in the UK than those via more traditional online searches.

This month, shoppers clicking through to UK retail sites from AI sources were more likely to complete a purchase than those arriving after using online search engines, according to computer software and analytics firm Adobe.

Figures for May show the UK AI shopping conversion rate was up 182% year-on-year and 543% since January last year.

This has also been shown by TheIndustry.beauty’s own research. In our recently published special report, we explore beauty’s next tech-driven wave – including consumers’ increasing uptake of AI search tools. It also breaks down the differences in attitudes and behaviours across generations, helping beauty businesses to fine-tune strategies and realise opportunities.

Camilla Rydzek, Senior News & Features Writer.

From cloud skin to colour drenching: The beauty trends taking over this spring/summer

This article looks at the key beauty trends shaping spring/summer, highlighting how nostalgia, skin health and low-maintenance routines are influencing both makeup and skincare.

One of the standout makeup trends outlined by Cult Beauty is “colour drenching”, where a single shade is used across eyes, lips and cheeks for a cohesive look. It draws on 1990s and early-2000s influences, blending playful, expressive colour with a more modern, refined finish that still feels bold but intentional.

In skincare, “cloud skin” is gaining attention as a balanced complexion trend that sits between matte and dewy. Alongside this, there’s growing interest in regenerative skincare and SPF-focused routines

Hair trends are also moving towards polished, low-effort styling, with updated dry shampoos and finishing products designed to refresh and smooth rather than just absorb oil. Want to explore more? Read more here.

Sophie Smith, News Editor & Senior Writer.