Editors' Top Reads: News from Holland & Barrett, Skin + Me, WelleCo and more...
Here are some of this week’s news and features highlights handpicked by TheIndustry.beauty team.
The Interview: Holland & Barrett’s beauty boss on its bold new strategy and omnichannel vision
Entering its next phase of expansion and transformation, Holland & Barrett recently launched a major overhaul of its beauty category, aimed at capturing a larger share of the market. Central to this new strategy is a redefined concept of beauty - one that embraces a holistic, "inside-out" approach prioritising both efficacy and wellness.
The transformation supports Holland & Barrett's broader multi-year business turnaround, which has already seen two consecutive years of double-digit growth, an upgraded store portfolio, and the introduction of new retail formats and technology.
It also aligns with the high street retailer’s wider vision to deliver a science-led, customer-first experience across all channels, now under the leadership of new CEO Anthony Houghton, who was promoted from UK and Ireland CEO in August.
But leading the retailer’s new beauty strategy is Head of Category, Vicky Kelly, who, in this exclusive interview with TheIndustry.beauty, shares her plans, progress, and ambitions to make beauty a more integral part of the health and wellness business.
Well worth the read, if I do say so myself.
Sophie Smith, News Editor & Senior Writer.
Skin + Me founder says ‘robots’ could not replace human dermatologists
Skin + Me has amassed more than one million customers for its personalised skincare subscription service since it launched in 2020.
You might have thought that a business operating with that volume of clients might be falling over themselves to streamline it and cut costs by deploying AI, but not Skin + Me's founder James Mishreki.
Customers of Skin + Me upload photos of their skin, which are assessed by a team of real dermatologists and experts who prescribe the correct skincare routine, which is delivered and replenished via subscription. One would have thought that robots would be quicker but Mishreki is not prepared to compromise the integrity of his service by switching to robots.
"If we told people they were no longer going to speak to our dermatology team but to a robot, we would risk losing the empathy and trust that keeps people coming back," he explains, though he is not averse to employing AI as a complement to the human experience.
It's a refreshing take when it feels like AI is being deployed for the sake of deploying AI. Read all about it here.
Lauretta Roberts, Co-founder, CEO and Editor-in-Chief.
The Interview: Bernadette Sullivan, Director of Face + Body at ASOS, on her high-low strategy
If you’ve ever wondered how ASOS manages to feel both aspirational and approachable in the beauty space, this interview is your blueprint. Bernadette Sullivan, Director of Face + Body at ASOS, has spent two decades at the online retailer, climbing from admin assistant to category leader.
In this interview, Sullivan breaks down how ASOS curates an offering that spans £5 lip glosses to £400 LED masks, proving beauty can be democratic without losing its aspirational edge. Her approach balances viral trends with timeless staples, using social listening, pop-ups, sampling initiatives, and even trips to Seoul to spot the next must-have products before the rest of the high street catches on.
She’s also candid about catering to a "20-something mindset" while staying inclusive of shoppers across generations, from Gen Z discovering ASOS for the first time to Millennials who have grown up with the platform. Fragrance, niche scents, and Korean skincare are highlighted as ripe for growth, while collaborations and IRL activations show how beauty can intersect seamlessly with fashion.
This isn’t just a masterclass in curation, it’s a window into the future of online beauty retail. For anyone trying to understand how a major digital-first retailer stays relevant, trend-savvy, and commercially strong, Sullivan’s insights are an essential read.
Chloé Burney, Senior News & Features Writer.
Proactive health and midlife empowerment lead wellness industry shift, says WelleCo
New data suggests the wellness industry is undergoing a major transformation, driven by consumers who are taking a more empowered, proactive approach to their health.
One of the most significant shifts is the move away from reactive, short-term solutions and toward daily, preventative health routines. Consumers are prioritising consistency, nourishment, and sustainable habits that support long-term wellbeing.
Alongside this broader health transformation is a renewed perspective on midlife - particularly among women. No longer seen as a period of decline, WelleCo suggests midlife is increasingly viewed as a chapter of renewal, energy, and confidence.
According to WelleCo – co-founded by supermodel Elle Macpherson in 2014 – these evolving mindsets are shaping the future of the industry, influencing how brands engage with consumers and how individuals invest in their health. Read more about the wellness trends here.
Sophie Smith, News Editor & Senior Writer.
The Interview: Liberty CEO Adil Mehboob-Khan on its 150th anniversary and global ambitions
Liberty London is turning 150, but if you think this is a story about nostalgia, think again. I sat down with CEO Adil Mehboob-Khan in Liberty's hallowed halls (restaurant Three Sixty, to be exact) to hear about how the storied retailer is celebrating its anniversary and how it's looking to the future.
Under Mehboob-Khan’s leadership, Liberty has evolved from a much-loved London landmark into a brand with global ambition. He’s unified its categories, tripled its own-brand offering, and expanded its e-commerce reach - all while preserving the charm of its "Hogwarts of retail" flagship.
As for expanding its own-brand offering, beauty and fragrance now account for a significant portion of the business. "We’ve tripled our own-brand offering in the past five years. Our new LBTY fragrances and womenswear are doing particularly well", said Mehboob-Khan.
This piece is a must-read for anyone interested in how legacy retailers evolve without losing their soul. It’s a masterclass in balancing heritage with ambition - and a rare, candid look at what it takes to future-proof one of Britain’s most treasured institutions.
Chloé Burney, Senior News & Features Writer.
