Editors' Top Reads: News from Skin Cupid, Merit, Erborian and more...

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

K-beauty retailer Skin Cupid to open first-ever UK flagship

Korean beauty is undeniably having a moment, with an increasing number of consumers turning to K-beauty brands and products to achieve healthy, glowing, and hydrated skin. This trend is further evidenced by the rising investments from these brands in the UK market, whether through retail partnerships, pop-ups, or new store openings.

So, when news emerged that Korean retailer Skin Cupid had signed a 10-year lease for its debut UK flagship in London, TheIndustry.beauty's readers were interested!

The global retailer will occupy a prime 3,000 sq ft corner unit, strategically located just 100 metres from Tottenham Court Road Station. It follows the success of Skin Cupid’s pop-up at The Outernet in London over the festive period. Stocking a "one-of-a-kind" exclusive members-only range, the store promises to immerse customers in the vibrant world of Korean beauty - I'm certainly excited to visit and see what this new location has to offer once open!

Sophie Smith, News Editor & Senior Writer. 

Merit targets UK market with new pop-up in London

A new beauty pop-up in Covent Garden? Groundbreaking. It seems as though every other week, a world-renowned beauty brand is heading to the Piazza in Covent Garden to set up shop, yet we can't seem to get enough. Just last week, I headed to Chanel's pop-up extravaganza, and this week, Merit's is a must-visit.

In celebration of Merit's descent into the UK market, with its launch into Sephora, the makeup brand and the beauty retailer have teamed up on a pop-up to introduce Brits to Merit's minimalist makeup.

After entering the UK via its direct-to-consumer website in February 2023, the California-based brand has finally hit shelves in partnership with Sephora, representing the first time customers can shop Merit in-person across the region. Following its brick-and-mortar debut, the brand is popping up in Covent Garden this weekend, on 5 and 6 April. Open to the public, this immersive experience is the perfect opportunity for beauty lovers to discover Merit’s best sellers.

Chloé Burney, Senior News & Features Writer.

Why Erborian is lowering prices despite rising costs

Erborian has responded to feedback from customers by lowering its prices across the board while retaining the same standards of high-quality formulations.

It's an interesting move (not least because it any brand asked its customer whether it would like to be cheaper, they are hardly going to say no) since it comes in the face of rising costs for Erborian. Nonetheless, the beloved brand, which blends the best of Korean and French beauty know-how, has persisted and reset its price architecture so that the price of the most expensive product is now £44 instead of £62.

That is a considerable change and not without its risks. I shall be interested to see how it pans out as it could end up being a genius move, encouraging loyalty from existing customers and attracting a whole new base of customers who would have shopped the brand were they able to afford it.

I am sure other brands will be watching and take notes along with me.

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

British Beauty Council and Sephora UK launch mentorship programme to 'nurture future of beauty'

The British Beauty Council has teamed up with Sephora UK to launch a new mentorship and grant programme with student discount platform UNiDAYS. Having already received over 700 registrations, students from across the UK can still apply to receive support as part of a new initiative, with entries open until 20 April.

So, how does it work? This exciting opportunity allows students to pitch their future-facing beauty solutions across topics such as innovation and technology, sustainability, creativity, marketing, and science. The applicants will then be shortlisted before being put in front of a panel of beauty experts, who will select five winners.

Announced next month, each winner will go on to receive exclusive mentorship opportunities through a series of events, as well as a £3,000 grant as part of the initiative. Today's beauty students are tomorrow's visionaries, and this is a great platform to help them shape the future of the beauty industry - bravo!

Sophie Smith, News Editor & Senior Writer.