Editors' Top Reads: News from Coty, Selfridges, Saltair and more...
Here are some of this week’s news and features highlights handpicked by TheIndustry.beauty team.
Coty prioritises fragrance as it launches strategic review of Consumer Beauty division
Coty has announced plans to more closely integrate its Prestige Beauty and Mass Fragrance businesses, in a strategic move aimed at realigning the company around its core strengths and driving sustainable, profitable growth. This integration is expected to enhance coordination and operational efficiency across Coty’s fragrance portfolio, which currently accounts for 69% of its total sales.
As part of its growth strategy, Coty’s Prestige division will continue to expand its presence in cosmetics and skincare - two high-margin segments the company sees as offering significant global growth opportunities.
In parallel, Coty has also launched a strategic review of its Consumer Beauty division, which includes mass-market brands such as Rimmel, Sally Hansen, and Max Factor. The review will consider a broad range of options, including potential partnerships, divestitures, spin-offs, or other strategic actions.
Fragrance continues to be a bright spot in the beauty industry, and Coty’s renewed focus on this category reflects its growing importance in the company’s portfolio. In a challenging and competitive market, a strategic review of non-core assets appears to be a prudent step, allowing Coty to concentrate resources on the areas showing the most promise and delivering the strongest returns.
Sophie Smith, News Editor & Senior Writer.
The Interview: Celebrity manicurist Harriet Westmoreland on launching her game changing nail line
It's rare that a nail launch gathers as much buzz as Harriet Westmoreland's nail line has. The celebrity manicurist, best known for perfecting the nails of stars such as Adele, has officially launched Westmoreland Cosmetics, garnering an immediate wave of excitement across social media, cementing Westmoreland Cosmetics as one of the most talked-about new beauty ventures this season.
I sat down with the mistress of manicures to hear about her first collection Vanilla Gloss, which introduces Glass Gels and Glass Polishes. The hero product? A professional-level, "first-of-its-kind" gel formula that promises long wear and a flawless high-shine finish, whether used in salons or at home.
More than just a product drop, it marks a significant shift as Westmoreland brings her expertise from behind the chair into a brand built for consumers, with plans for seasonal collections, pop-ups and collaborations already in motion. This week, the launch signals the arrival of a fresh force in the UK beauty landscape - one set to make glossy, polished nails part of everyone’s ritual.
Chloé Burney, Senior News & Features Writer.
UPDATED: The beauty advent calendars of 2025
Thought to have originated in the 19th century, when families would mark the days until Christmas with a chalk line, advent calendars have since become a holiday countdown staple.
Today, consumers can purchase calendars filled with all sorts of confectionery, as well as newer varieties offering gin, candles, and even socks. However, none of these recent concepts have topped the success of the beauty advent calendar.
This year, beauty advent calendars are once again proving to be more than just a festive indulgence - they're a powerful driver of revenue, brand engagement, and retail footfall. For 2025, the category returns bigger, bolder, and more curated than ever, with brands and retailers investing in premium packaging, exclusive edits, and enhanced value to stand out in a competitive market.
In this evolving round-up, we spotlight the calendars poised to capture consumer attention as we approach the all-important golden quarter. There’s even more to explore in our updated guide.
Sophie Smith, News Editor & Senior Writer.
Selfridges sales drop amid weak consumer confidence and drop in tourist spending
You can click through here and read the latest trading numbers from Selfridges in detail. Essentially sales are down but losses have been cut, in more positive news. Though it still hasn't made a profit in the post-pandemic era.
I remain convinced Selfridges is a brilliant retailer but that brilliance can't protect it from global headwinds and the fact the UK shot itself in the foot by then Chancellor Rishi Sunak abolishing tax free shopping during the height of the pandemic. This was a masterclass in discouraging wealthy tourists to go elsewhere and Selfridges, among others has paid the price.
Despite strident lobbying from retail and hospitality, the Governments we have had since this disastrous act have all failed to reinstate it. Actually that is not strictly true, Kwasi Kwarteng was going to bring it back during the Liz Truss leadership tenure, but she lasted about as long as my ailing iPhone battery, and then Rishi was back (as PM this time) and in no mood to admit he was wrong.
Dare we believe Rachel Reeves will see sense and reintroduce it during her imminent budget? We can but dream.
Lauretta Roberts, Co-founder, CEO and Editor-in-Chief.
Everything you need to know about Iskra Lawrence's Saltair coming to the UK
Yes, you heard it here first - influencer and model Iskra Lawrence’s cult-favourite bodycare brand Saltair is finally making its UK debut at Space NK on 7 October, marking a significant milestone for the US-born brand and the local prestige beauty market. As someone who does a yearly trip to see family in New York (and stock up my favourite US-exclusive beauty products) this was music to my ears.
Since launching in the US in 2022, Saltair has gained a devoted following for its sensorial, high-performance formulas that combine clinically proven ingredients with mood-boosting scents. From nourishing body oils to Multi-Lipid Butters and 5% AHA Serum Deodorants, the line offers products that deliver results while remaining accessible, with price points under £30.
The UK launch is notable not just for consumers, but strategically for Saltair itself. Partnering with Space NK gives Saltair both physical visibility and access to a curated UK customer base that values both efficacy and design-led beauty. With nearly 900,000 units of its bestselling body oils sold in the US, the brand is well-positioned to become the UK’s next cult bodycare favourite, blending performance, accessibility and Instagram-worthy appeal.
Chloé Burney, Senior News & Features Writer.
Selfridges unveils UK's biggest beauty hall outside London
In far more positive news for Selfridges this week, the department store has just opened the UK's biggest beauty hall outside of London in Birmingham. The expanded beauty hall now spans 30,000 sq ft, an increase of 20% on its previous space.
More than 160 brands, including 30 exclusive to the Birmingham location, are now housed in the space, including Victoria Beckham Beauty, Pat McGrath, and Charlotte Tilbury. There are 37 new brand counters, including the first-ever UK counter from Sol de Janeiro. Others taking counters are Lisa Eldridge, Hourglass Cosmetics, Fenty Beauty, Benefit Cosmetics, Morphe and Kylie Cosmetics.
It also brings the number of expert staff to over 300 and introduces more than 210 in-store beauty treatments - ranging from on-counter consultations to advanced specialist services.
Another key highlight of the renovation is the Beauty Workshop - a space dedicated to niche, founder-led, and innovative skincare, bodycare and haircare brands. It will feature a dynamic rotation of pop-ups, activations, and new product launches.
This is great suff from Selfridges and if it continues in this vein, the increased sales and profit will come.
Lauretta Roberts, Co-founder, CEO and Editor-in-Chief.
