In Review, August 2024: Headline highlights from Unilever, Trinny London, Balmain and more...
August thankfully brought us Brits some well-overdue sun, not to mention the final leg of Taylor Swift's Eras Tour and the continuation of the Paris Olympics, and now Paralympics, plus several new beauty appointments, retail expansions, innovation, and so much more...
Here's a round-up featuring this month's big beauty headlines from brands and retailers including Balmain, Sephora and Estée Lauder, as well as the top features content from TheIndustry.beauty.
British beauty industry to outpace France as it celebrates continued growth
The British beauty industry grew by 11% last year, growing faster than other European markets as new figures show it could even overtake France by the end of 2025. Increasing sales of skincare products and fragrance combined with the success of British brands mean the UK market is growing at nearly twice the pace of France. It is already bigger than those in Germany, Italy and Spain.
Unilever to streamline prestige portfolio with sale of two big brands
News emerged that Unilever is exploring the potential sale of Kate Somerville and REN Clean Skincare, just one month after the Chief Executive of its prestige beauty division exited the business. The potential disposals come just over a year after Hein Schumacher was appointed as Chief Executive Officer, replacing Alan Jope, who announced his intention to retire from Unilever in September 2022.
Trinny London to open debut store as it bolsters omnichannel strategy
From pop-up to permanent home, Trinny London confirmed the opening its debut flagship store on King's Road in Chelsea next month. The brand has been testing the waters of brick-and-mortar retail over the past few years, having welcomed consumers to various pop-up experiences in London. In fact, its most recent activation on London's Kings Road will be the location of its permanent store.
Balmain debuts first fragrance collection in partnership with Estée Lauder
Balmain launched a new fragrance collection, marking its first beauty creation since entering a licensing agreement with The Estée Lauder Companies two years ago. Powered by a richly crafted duality of ingredients, the range includes eight multi-layered scents from four distinctive olfactive families – musk, amber, floral, and woody.
Marks & Spencer to open boutique-style beauty and fashion stores
Marks & Spencer is to trial the opening of boutique-style fashion and beauty stores, starting with a new opening at Battersea Power Station this autumn. The new store at Battersea will focus on showcasing the best of the retailer's fashion range for men and women (with an emphasis on its premium lines) as well as an edit of its beauty offer.
Morphe closes all UK stores with more than 70 employees made redundant
Morphecall its standalone stores in the UK, with plans to focus on wholesale and e-commerce. The makeup brand closed all seven of its UK stores on 31 July, with 73 employees made redundant effective immediately. Former staff members took to social media platforms including TikTok and X to criticise the brand about its lack of communication over the decision to close its stores.
P.Louise breaks records as it sells $2 million in 12-hour LIVE on TikTok Shop
P.Louise broke records during a 12-hour LIVE on TikTok Shop, generating over $2 million (£1.5 million) in sales and surpassing all UK and US records. The viral makeup brand sold two products every second during the LIVE event, with some products significantly reduced to as little as £1.
Molton Brown repositions itself as 'fragrance-first' brand with launch of new initiative
Molton Brown repositioned itself with a clear directive: to be recognised as a fragrance-first brand. The move is defined by a new initiative, launching under the title of 'Artists of Note'. Reflecting its commitment to creativity, craft and the human link between perfumer and wearer, the beauty brand invited three British creatives to imagine three of its fragrance icons through their vision and medium.
In Pictures: Lush opens new Covent Garden flagship with second London spa
Lush opened its new flagship in London's Covent Garden, offering the brand’s fresh, handmade cosmetics and 12 different spa treatments. The new store features Lush's signature haircare, skincare and bodycare products, including a curated collection of previously discontinued products from the archives loved by the shop team.
Estée Lauder boss Fabrizio Freda to retire
The Estée Lauder Companies President and CEO Fabrizio Freda announced his intention to retire at the end of fiscal year 2025, after more than 16 years at the business. Freda first joined Estée Lauder as President and CEO in 2008, having previously served as President at fellow beauty giant Procter & Gamble for over 20 years.
Estée Lauder annual sales decline as it progresses Recovery & Growth Plan
The Estée Lauder Companies reported a drop in sales for the year ending 30 June, with growth across fragrance more than offset by other category declines. The company's performance reflects ongoing softness in overall prestige beauty in mainland China and a decline in Asia travel retail, partially offset by growth across other markets.
indu secures £4m investment to fuel UK growth
Teen beauty brand indu secured a $4 million investment to support its physical retail expansion in the UK. The new investment marked the company's first institutional funding round, led by Unilever Ventures and V3 Ventures, supported by a number of leading industry investor angels.
Sephora to open at Kent's Bluewater Shopping Centre
Sephora is continuing its retail expansion across the UK with plans to open at Kent's Bluewater Shopping Centre later this year. Similar to its existing UK stores, the space will boast an extensive selection of products across makeup, skincare, haircare, fragrance and wellness, including a line-up of exclusive brands.
Dyson’s new Airwrap i.d. allows you to design custom curls on your phone
Dyson’s Airwrap is known for being one of the most-loved hair tools in the industry – and the appliance company has now launched its latest version. The Dyson Airwrap i.d. is the first hair tool that can programme custom curls, with just the push of a button. Curls are designed on your phone and transmitted through Bluetooth wireless technology straight to the styler.
Luxury brand Augustinus Bader stars in latest season of Emily in Paris
Fans of popular Netflix show Emily in Paris are able to spot luxury brand Augustinus Bader in the latest season, which launched with the first five episodes on 15 August. In episode four, Emily and the team are tasked with developing a creative campaign to highlight and celebrate the beauty brand’s science-backed haircare line.
Ariana Grande unveils new fragrance collection with exclusive regional launches
Ariana Grande launched a new multi-fragrance collection in partnership with prestige beauty company Luxe Brands. The collection launched with four regional exclusive scents, including Pink Woods in North America, Angels Kiss in Europe and Pressed Petals in Australia, saving Vanilla Suede for the UK.
Olaplex maintains outlook despite further sales declines
Olaplex reported a drop in sales for the second quarter ending 30 June 2024, reflecting the "continued stabilisation of the business". The company saw net sales increase 7.3% in the US but decrease 15.1% internationally, compared to the second quarter of 2023.
L’Oréal forms new scientific partnership with Galderma as it acquires 10% stake in company
L’Oréal Group acquired a 10% stake in Swiss skincare company Galderma from a group of major shareholders. The owner of CeraVe, Vichy and La Roche-Posay purchased the stake for an undisclosed sum from Sunshine SwissCo AG, a consortium led by Swedish private equity firm EQT, as well as Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) and Auba Investment Pte. Ltd.
Retailer Lush says workers "devastated" after looting in Hull
Lush said its staff were "devastated" after the company’s branch in Hull was targeted by looters amid a wave of rioting and violence earlier this month. The Lush store in Hull was left with smashed front windows and products littered outside the front door after the fifth day of unrest, one week on from the Southport stabbings.
In Pictures: World's first ESPA suite lands at King Street Townhouse in Manchester
THG-owned spa skincare brand ESPA opened a first-of-its-kind branded suite at Manchester-based hotel King Street Townhouse. Marking the first ESPA bedroom worldwide, the new suite has been designed to "redefine the traditional hotel stay as an indulgent wellness retreat, providing "the best in beauty and holistic wellbeing".
Yours Clothing owner AK Retail enters beauty category with new bodycare brand
AK Retail, the owner of Yours Clothing, BadRhino, PixieGirl, Long Tall Sally, M&Co and Evans, entered the beauty category with the launch of its new bodycare brand, Whip&Woo. The brand promises to deliver "fun, natural and simple" bodycare products using premium ingredients without harsh chemicals or dyes.
Diptyque continues retail expansion with new location in Covent Garden
Diptyque continued its retail expansion with the opening of a new boutique on King's Street in London's Covent Garden. It follows the brand's openings in London's Marylebone and Bond Street – where it unveiled its new Maison concept – earlier this year. Designed to resemble a Parisian apartment, the new store echoes the spirit of the luxury brand's first-ever store on Paris's Boulevard Saint Germain.
Interviews, features and trends
Stila has turned 30 and is refreshed, refocused and ready to shine again.
The Interview: Made by Mitchell on finding success on TikTok and driving global growth.
New data reveals Gen Z feel 'too busy' to follow skincare routine.
What is TikTok’s 'morning shed' trend and why dermatologists are warning against it.
New data reveals "go-to" destinations for skincare services in UK.
