Editors' Top Reads: News from Space NK, Grown Alchemist, Rita Ora and more...

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

Manzanita Capital explores £400m sale of Space NK

This week we learn that Manzanita Capital, parent of Space NK for the past 20 years, is considering a sale of the trailblazing multi-brand beauty retailer. Manzanita has been a good parent to Space NK and other brands including Diptyque and, until it was recently sold to Puig, Byredo, so it's fair enough that it may want to realise its investment after two decades of stewardship.

However, I can't help feeling a little anxious about the potential outcome of this process, assuming it does end up in a sale. Will the next owner be so nurturing? Space NK is a jewel and it's hard to express how much of an influence it has had on the UK beauty (and wider retail) industry.

Who will buy it? Frasers Group or NEXT, which are both highly acquisitive and expanding into beauty. Will Sephora use it for a quick UK scale-up? Who knows, but the whole industry will be watching closely.

Lauretta Roberts, Co-Founder, CEO & Editor in Chief.

Grown Alchemist changes ownership as it eyes international growth

Earlier this week, Grown Alchemist confirmed that it was being taken private in a bid to accelerate growth - an interesting move, having only been acquired by L'Occitane Group two years ago.

Andre Hoffmann, the Vice Chairman and former CEO of L'Occitane International SA, acquired a controlling majority stake, while Grown Alchemist CEO Anna Teal was named a minority shareholder. It will be interesting to see how the Australian-born skincare brand develops under this new ownership as it gains more strategic flexibility and autonomy outside of a listed group. According to the business, it will now focus on large-scale partnerships and activations in lifestyle, music and retail, helping to "drive the consumer experience" and accelerate international growth in key markets.

Sophie Smith, News Editor & Senior Writer.

Rita Ora teases new haircare line

My fascination for celebrity-turned entrepreneurs has peeked in recent weeks, particularly with Selena Gomez rumoured to be weighing in on selling Rare Beauty and Nicki Minaj starting a press-on nail business. This week, singer-songwriter Rita Ora has teased the upcoming launch of her new high-performance haircare brand, created in partnership with beauty entrepreneur Anna Lahey.

Whilst specific details were not revealed in an initial social media post, the brand - called TYPEBEA - is designed for all hair types.

What spiked my interest further in this news is the fact that Ora has decided to launch a haircare line to rival Beyoncé Knowles-Carter's highly-anticipated haircare launch, Cécred. Is there room for both of the A-listers to see success? Let the battle commence.

Chloé Burney, Senior News & Features Writer.

The Interview: Founder Dimitra Davidson on Indeed Labs' high-quality yet affordable approach to skincare

Canadian-born beauty brand Indeed Labs was launched by Dimitra Davidson in 2010 with the goal of bringing high-quality, clinically-proven skincare to consumers at an affordable price. The brand has since developed an entire line of highly effective, award-winning, science-backed skincare products that aim to deliver real results to real people. From sensitive skin and age spots to moisture loss and wrinkles, its products are designed to meet different skin concerns.

In this interview with TheIndustry.beauty, Davidson speaks about the inspiration behind Indeed Labs, the importance of affordable, high-quality products, and how she defines the brand's success.

Sophie Smith, News Editor & Senior Writer.