Editor's Top Reads: News from Cowshed, Boots, Gem & Tonic and more...

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

Relaunch revealed: How Cowshed is reconnecting with its heritage while evolving for today’s consumer

British bodycare brand Cowshed is relaunching this spring with updated formulations, fresh packaging, and a renewed philosophy centred on "fragrance, emotional uplift and unapologetic indulgence".

Founded in 1998 at Babington House, the business has long been celebrated for its bodycare and wellness collections inspired by British botanicals. The brand champions the transformative power of self-care, offering scent-led experiences and everyday luxuries for the bath, body and home.

Guided by four strategic pillars - fragrance-first storytelling, premium products and packaging, design-led, culturally relevant gifting, and a confident, intelligent tone of voice -  the evolution positions it as a modern British heritage brand: one that’s both recognisable and ready to be re-chosen.

The relaunch debuts exclusively in Soho House spas and bathrooms this month, with a global retail rollout scheduled for early May. Here’s an exclusive first look at the reinvigorated Cowshed experience.

Sophie Smith, News Editor & Senior Writer. 

K-beauty market set to double by 2032

It should come as no surprise that the Korean beauty market has been experiencing substantial growth and is now expected to double by 2032 to USD $28 billion. Data from Credence Research shows that this growth has been driven not only by increasing consumer demand for multi-step skincare routines rooted in Korean beauty philosophies, but also by the global reach of Korean pop culture.

I think the rise in popularity of South Korean movies and music in the UK is super interesting. Beyond the global success of K-pop bands Blackpink and BTS, what caught my attention recently is the animated movie K‑Pop: Demon Hunters, which has become a cultural moment. Its premiere on Netflix was met with strong viewership, and its headline song was even performed at the Brit Awards last week.

As Korean culture continues to enrapture the UK public, the full potential for K-beauty remains untapped, in my opinion. We have seen global brands such as MAC Cosmetics, Chanel Beauty, Dior Beauty and Yves Saint Laurent Beauty partnering with members of Blackpink as brand ambassadors. But I don't think UK beauty brands and retailers have yet considered just what a phenomenon this is, and how much this market can still grow. I'm super intrigued to see if we will see this changing anytime soon.

Camilla Rydzek, Senior News and Features Writer. 

Boots to open second beauty-only concept store as brands bet on Bristol

Boots is opening its second beauty-only concept store in Bristol this spring, marking the first time the format will launch outside London following its debut at Battersea Power Station in 2023.

The Bristol opening is part of the retailer’s accelerated beauty transformation programme, aimed at reimagining how shoppers discover and engage with beauty. It follows a string of new concepts, including last year’s Boots Fragrance Boutique and newly enhanced wellness concepts rolled out across six locations nationwide.

Bristol, it seems, is becoming the UK’s next beauty hotspot. Last week, Lookfantastic opened its second UK store at Cabot Circus, blending product discovery with expert services and community-focused experiences. Marks & Spencer made a major comeback to the city centre last year with an 80,000 sq ft flagship at Cabot Circus, boasting its largest beauty hall ever. Meanwhile, Harrods continues to draw crowds at its standalone H Beauty store in Cribbs Causeway, further cementing the city’s growing reputation as a beauty destination.

With Boots joining the mix, Bristol’s beauty scene is shaping up to be as vibrant and diverse as the city itself. Perhaps I should take a trip down there!

Sophie Smith, News Editor & Senior Writer. 

The Interview: Gemma Atkinson, the model, broadcaster and wellness influencer on launching her brand Gem & Tonic

Gemma Atkinson is a now a well-known radio host and wellness influencer. Some of you may know her best of her modelling and acting era, when she appeared in high-profile television shows, including Hollyoaks, Emmerdale and Casualty.

She can now add the role of beauty entrepreneur to her list of achievements, having launched her multi-purpose beauty brand for busy women last autumn. We were fortunate enough to have the chance to interview her to discover what drove her in this new direction and what her plans are for the future.

Given that she spends so much time working out (as well as working and being a mother), Atkinson wanted beauty products that fit around her lifestyle. She didn’t have the time for seven-step routines (few of us do) and was always curious about how she could harness the power of gemstones and incorporate them into a skincare range.

She has also harnessed the power of her considerable social media community to create Gem & Tonic, a range of skin and haircare essentials, which now includes four SKUs: a hair mist (perfect for reviving hair after a workout), moisturiser, cleanser and body lotion. There are plans to expand the line further in the future in consultation with her community.

It’s healthy to be sceptical about personality-fronted brand launches, but this one comes from a genuine place; a long-term interest in health and the power of gemstones. It is also backed by a strong following already. And when your name is Gemma and you love gems and wellness, the opportunity to launch a brand so appropriately named Gem & Tonic must have been too good to miss.

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