In Review, August 2025: Headline highlights from Space NK, Estée Lauder, Revolution Beauty and more...

Sophie Smith

29 August 2025

Despite the summer holiday season, August saw a flurry of activity across the beauty industry - from new appointments and major store openings to job cuts, investments, and continued retail expansion.

Here's a round-up featuring August's big beauty headlines from businesses including Boots, Space NK, Revolution Beauty, and more, as well as the top features content from TheIndustry.beauty.

Boots splits off from Walgreens after private equity takeover

Boots has been spun off from US parent Walgreens Boots Alliance after its private equity takeover. US firm Sycamore Partners completed its $10 billion (£7.4 billion) deal to buy WBA. It said it would now split off the international parts for the US-based WBA to operate as The Boots Group.

In Pictures: Inside Space NK’s major new flagship at London's Oxford Circus

Space NK turned heads once again with the opening of its new flagship store concept in London’s iconic Oxford Circus on 8 August. The new concept is designed to meet the evolving needs and desires of its customers. As part of this, the flagship store showcases a curated selection of new brands, exclusive product launches, and beloved favourites - offering customers the opportunity to "discover the very best of beauty".

aesthetics

UK Government confirms crackdown on unsafe cosmetic procedures

The UK Government committed to ensuring that only suitably qualified healthcare professionals will be permitted to carry out high-risk procedures, such as Brazilian Butt Lifts. It also confirmed plans to introduce a licensing scheme for clinics offering treatments like Botox, alongside new age restrictions aimed at protecting young people from accessing certain procedures.

Estée Lauder cuts thousands of jobs as sales slump across all regions

The Estée Lauder Companies has cut 3,200 jobs with a further 3,800 roles at risk, as the US beauty giant’s 'Beauty Reimagined' restructuring gathers pace following a sharp downturn in sales. The move is part of an effort to streamline its global structure and achieve annual savings of up to $1 billion (£741 million).

Founders rejoin Revolution Beauty to ‘reset’ troubled beauty brand

Revolution Beauty brought back its former founders, Adam Minto and Tom Allsworth, to "reset" the business after failing to secure a suitable buyer. Co-founders Minto and Allsworth, who resigned amid a series of accounting issues, are set to return to the beauty brand, which has recently been struggling with declining sales.

John Lewis

John Lewis unveils revamped beauty hall concept backed by multi-million pound investment

John Lewis launched the nationwide rollout of its new beauty hall concept, supported by a multi-million-pound investment designed to "transform its stores into beauty discovery destinations". It kicked off with the reopening of a revamped beauty hall in Liverpool.

Fertility supplement brand OVA raises $1M to drive growth and innovation

OVA, the UK’s first fertility brand to offer supplements for both egg and sperm health, raised over $1 million in a pre-seed funding round to fuel its next phase of growth. Founded by former Net-A-Porter alums Danielle Fox-Thomas and Kat Lestage, the brand will use the investment to drive innovation in reproductive wellness and expand its retail presence.

Superdrug unveils top beauty spending trends across UK

Superdrug revealed new insights into how its 19 million Health & Beautycard members are shopping - highlighting beauty trends across cities throughout the UK. The research shows that customers are increasingly choosing beauty products that deliver real, visible results.

Holland & Barrett names new CEO to steer next phase of transformation

Holland & Barrett appointed Anthony Houghton as Group CEO, marking a new chapter as the company enters its next phase of growth and transformation. Houghton first joined the retailer as Group Retail & Property Director in September 2018, before serving as COO and most recently as CEO for UK&I.

Victoria Beckham Beauty

Victoria Beckham delivers fourth year of double-digit growth as beauty booms

Victoria Beckham reported another year of "strong" growth, with revenues up 26% to £112.7 million in 2024, despite an increasingly competitive luxury and beauty landscape. The results underline how Beckham has carved out space in the luxury market through consistent brand-building and beauty innovation.

P.Louise declares 'the future of retail is here' as it unveils first-ever store

Viral beauty brand P.Louise is making its long-anticipated retail debut this autumn, opening the doors to its first permanent store. Located at Manchester’s Trafford Palazzo, the immersive, 19,000 sqft space will be known as P.Louise City, and promises to reimagine the beauty retail experience - think dance floors, juice bars and more.

Charlotte Tilbury, Color Wow and Estrid named Gen Z beauty favourites

UNiDAYS announced the winners of its Beauty Awards 2025, offering a snapshot of Gen Z’s beauty and wellness preferences in the UK. Nearly 20,000 student votes were cast across twelve categories, revealing the most popular with young consumers today. The results? Charlotte Tilbury, Color Wow, The Ordinary and Estrid topped wishlists.

La Beauté Louis Vuitton launches this week - here’s everything we know so far

Louis Vuitton launched first-ever beauty line. The debut of La Beauté Louis Vuitton marked the French house’s expansion into luxury beauty, in partnership with legendary makeup artist Pat McGrath, who serves as Creative Director. The partnership is a natural fit, following McGrath’s work on 20 years’ worth of Louis Vuitton runway shows and shoots.

British Beauty Week to return this October with future-focused agenda

British Beauty Week is set to return this October with a nationwide programme of events spotlighting the future of the beauty industry. The 2025 edition will put innovation, sustainability and the next generation at its core, with activations and discussions taking place across the UK.

Australia's fastest-growing bodycare brand Ciroa is coming to UK

Bodycare brand Ciroa launched in the UK, marking the latest step in its rapid global expansion. Founded in 2021 by mother-daughter duo Alex and Sophie Liddy, Ciroa first made waves in the US. In 2023, the brand debuted in Australia, selling over 2.6 million products within its first year, with its Raspberry & Vanilla scent alone selling out seven times.

Ateh Jewel joins Superdrug as Creative Consultant for Coils, Curls & Waves

Superdrug named British beauty journalist, broadcaster, and diversity advocate Ateh Jewel as its first-ever Coils, Curls & Waves (CCW) Creative Consultant in a long-term strategic role. The appointment underscores the retailer's dedication to growing its textured haircare range, highlighting its commitment to championing diversity and embracing all hair types.

Space NK begins major K-beauty roll out with Soko Glam shop-in-shop

Space NK continued its mission to reshape what premium beauty retail looks like, teaming up with US-based e-tailer Soko Glam to bring a Korean beauty shop-in-shop to 30 of its 83 UK and Ireland stores. The 'Soko Glam Best of K-beauty Edit' features nine brands new to Space NK - including Some By Mi, Skin 1004, Neogen, Lagom and Chasin’ Rabbits - with the assortment also available online.

Boots, TikTok and British Beauty Council back search for UK’s next beauty brand

Boots, TikTok Shop and the British Beauty Council joined forces with Growth Studio to launch Breakout Beauty UK - a six-week, no-cost accelerator on a mission to turn promising brands into the beauty industry’s next big headlines. Backed by venture firm Venrex and guided by Trinny London's Trinny Woodall and Made By Mitchell’s Mitchell Halliday, the programme is designed to pack years of retail, marketing and investor traction into just 42 days.

The Body Shop appoints former L’Occitane president as Chief Commercial & Brand Officer

The Body Shop named Alia Sirina Hawa as its new Chief Commercial & Brand Officer. Hawa joins the British brand from L'Occitane Group, where she served as President Europe, Middle East and Export Markets until April 2025.

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In Review, August 2025: Headline highlights from Space NK, Estée Lauder, Revolution Beauty and more...

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