Editors' Top Reads: News from H Beauty, Bodycare, Boots and more...

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

H Beauty to close Bristol store amid growing retail rivalry

Harrods is set to close its H Beauty outpost in Bristol just six years after the pioneering store was unveiled in the midst of Covid-stricken 2020. No doubt it's a blow for Harrods, but it's a sign of strength in the beauty market, especially in the West Country city.

Since H Beauty opened in Bristol's Cribbs Causeway, Boots has opened a beauty-only concept store, Mark & Spencer opened a new store with its largest beauty hall to date and online retailer Lookfantastic opened its second physical store in the city. There are only going to be so many beauty halls of this calibre that the city can support, no matter how buoyant the beauty market is.

H Beauty does still have six other sites across the UK but the Bristol experience shows that once you are in a location, you have to keep innovating and competing hard, as one of your rivals could turn up any minute and tempt your client base away.

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

Bodycare targets 200 UK stores in five-year revival following collapse

Retail chain Bodycare has announced an ambitious retail-roll out plan after the business was rescued in a deal led by businessman Charles Denton, who was recently involved in The Body Shop transformation.

Denton led a group of investors who acquired the value-led beauty business towards the end of last year, after its 147 stores had been closed by administrators. The investors intend to open 25 new stores this year with the ultimate target of opening 200 across the country in the next five years. The first tranche of openings will see six stores opened in locations including, Leeds, Bradford, Sheffield and Derby.

There are plans to make these stores innovative, tech-led hubs for consumers, while behind the scenes Bodycare will be using AI to streamline operations and workflows.

Bodycare has been a fixture across high streets in the Midlands and and northern England for more than 50 years, that it will become a major force once again, is welcome news.

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

The Interview: Mimétique founder Fabienne Sebaoun

Fabienne Sebaoun is the founder of French dermocosmetics brand, Mimétique, which uses biomimetics to mimic and enhance the skin's natural properties.

Back in 2015 and a move to Cananda, Fabienne was surrounded by the clean beauty movement - "ingredients to ban," fear-first marketing - and as a scientist, felt completely lost. She was left questioning "what does the skin actually need? ", which led her to launch Mimétique.

In this exclusive interview, Fabienne takes us inside the business to talk about ‘skin mimicry’, her global retail plans, and the exciting new product soon to launch.

Antony Hawman, Co-founder & CPO.

How I started in beauty: The Organic Pharmacy General Manager, Jean Christophe-Samyn

The Organic Pharmacy was founded in 2002 by Margo Marrone, a trained pharmacist and herbalist, with the aim of bridging clinical skincare and natural wellness. The brand is recognised for its pharmacy-led approach to beauty, offering a range of high-performance products.

The company is now led by General Manager Jean Christophe-Samyn, who joined at the end of last year to support its next phase of growth and international expansion. He brings extensive global experience and a deep understanding of the international beauty market, with a focus on strengthening sales performance and increasing brand visibility. Prior to joining The Organic Pharmacy, he spent more than 15 years at skincare brand Caudalie.

Christophe-Samyn discusses his transition into the brand, what he values most about his current role and his outlook for The Organic Pharmacy’s future under his leadership.

Read the full interview here.

Sophie Smith, News Editor & Senior Writer. 

Boots in $10bn sale talks as parent company weighs alternatives to London IPO

Boots' parent company Sycamore Partners might have other plans for the health and beauty chain after all. After reports in April that Boots was looking to IPO on the London Stock Exchange, new reports by the Financial Times reveal that the giant is in talks over a possible sale, with an an estimated valuation of around $10 billion (£7.5 billion).

One of the interested parties that were named in the discussions was the Weston family, owners of the the parent company of Primark, Associated British Foods. They also own Canadian retail pharmacy chain Shoppers Drug Mart.