Editors' Top Reads: News from Superdrug, Thérapie Clinic, Space NK and more...
Here are some of this week’s news and features highlights handpicked by TheIndustry.beauty team.
UK's richest beauty entrepreneurs revealed - here's who made the list
The beauty industry's power players have been ranked, with Charlotte Tilbury topping a list of the 30 richest beauty entrepreneurs in the UK, with an estimated fortune of £350 million.
The entries of The Sunday Times’ inaugural Beauty Rich List have built their wealth from products and services ranging from skincare and hair salons to false eyelashes and tanning shops. Together, these 30 individuals have an estimated combined wealth of £2.174 billion - if that doesn't demonstrate the immense power of the beauty industry, I don't know what does!
It features 19 women and 14 men, with ages spanning from 27-year-old Darcy Laceby, co-founder of Absolute Collagen, to 84-year-old Mike Harris of The Belgravia Clinic.
Other multi-millionaires include Lush founders Mark and Mo Constantine, haircare mogul John Frieda, and presenter-turned-entrepreneur Trinny Woodall, amongst others. Here's the full Beauty Rich List.
indu champions teens by teaming up with The Brit School students
It's far too often that brands adopt a tagline or target certain communities as a marketing ploy. But then there are brands like indu that are creating products for a community that they hold heartedly stand behind.
indu, known for its gentle yet effective formulas specifically designed for teen skin, is all about championing teenagers in everything it does, which is why it has announced a 12-month partnership with The Brit School.
Working with the talent-harvesting state-funded school known for its former pupils Adele, Raye and Lola Young, indu is inspiring young people to pursue the creative arts.
The indu teen committee is at the core of the brand, where its members are involved in all creative processes, offering insights into what the community wants and needs. As part of the partnership, the brand will offer The Brit School students a chance to get involved with the creative process as well as makeup masterclasses for Production Arts and Musical Theatre students and placement opportunities. The grand prize? indu will offer one student a paid summer internship at indu HQ.
Chloé Burney, Senior News & Features Writer.
Superdrug to open 25 new shops across the UK in 2025
Superdrug has just announced a big investment in physical retail this week. Not only will the leading chain open 25 new stores but also invest in refurbishing and expanding 65 more stores, with Luton and Dundee set for glow-ups (nice to see attention being placed on stores outside of London too!).
The retailer is focusing its efforts on larger retail parks and shopping destinations and says it has seen an uplift in sales where it has added in-store experiences such as beauty treatments and ear-piercing.
This is fantastic news when the retail landscape has been so challenged of late and proves that providing great, experiential retail environments is not just the preserve of the high-end. The high street too can do it on a large scale and reap the rewards.
My very first Saturday job as a teen was in my local branch of Superdrug (I won't reveal when but it was a long time ago!). I loved it then and I love it now. So happy to see it thriving all these years down the line.
Lauretta Roberts, Co-founder, CEO and Editor-in-Chief.
Thérapie Clinic amplifies new campaign with flash mobs around London
Thérapie Clinic hosted flash mobs around Central London on Wednesday in celebration of its new laser hair removal campaign. I made my way to Piccadilly Circus to catch the first performance.
The flash mobs continued to Tottenham Court Road station and Stratford station. As part of this, the UK-based aesthetics treatment provider showcased its recent 'Your Bush, Your Rules' campaign.
The campaign positions laser hair removal as a form of self-expression, emphasising how personal grooming choices can reflect one's unique identity. With this strategy, Thérapie Clinic's flash mobs aimed to tap into Gen Z's deep desire for freedom of expression, targeting this "influential" demographic. As a Gen Zer myself, it definitely felt like this!
Sophie Smith, News Editor & Senior Writer.
Space NK selects Birmingham for largest store outside of London
It's not just Superdrug that is in physical retail expansion mode but high-end beauty retailer Space NK is on the March too. Fresh from last week's news that it's opening a superstore at London's Oxford Circus, this week it reveals it will be opening its largest store outside of London to date in Birmingham.
Based in the Bullring, it will offer a selection of new and existing brands, store exclusive products and a dedicated consultation area for makeup and skincare, with play tables for customers to use independently or with store staff.
It will be the first standalone store in the city and judging by the visual above, Space NK is arriving in Brum in some style. Openings are also planned for Kent, Chelmsford and Leicester soon. This is beauty retail on a grand scale and consumers will love it.
Lauretta Roberts, Co-founder, CEO and Editor-in-Chief.
