In Review, January 2025: Headline highlights from Boots, Charlotte Tilbury, 111SKIN and more...
It's certainly been a busy start to the year for the beauty industry, from new store openings and senior leadership appointments to product launches, tech and innovation.
This month also saw an influx of trading updates as many beauty retailers released their results for the all important golden quarter. The figures shed light on how consumer spending held up this Christmas, with some signs of resilience, despite many businesses warning of price hikes amid soaring costs linked to the Autumn Budget in April.
Here's a round-up featuring January's big beauty headlines from brands and retailers including Charlotte Tilbury, Superdrug, Victoria Beckham Beauty, and more, as well as the top features content from TheIndustry.beauty.
Charlotte Tilbury opens biggest-ever store with debut 'Skin Spa'
Charlotte Tilbury opened a new flagship in London's Covent Garden, marking its biggest-ever store and the debut of its first-ever Skin Spa. Relocating from its existing neighbourhood boutique to a larger, more prominent unit, the new store opened on the corner of the Royal Opera House and James Street.
Victoria Beckham Beauty appoints new CEO
Victoria Beckham Beauty appointed Lauren Edelman as its new Chief Executive Officer, replacing Katia Beauchamp, who is stepping down after more than two years in the role. Edelman most recently served as Global Chief Marketing Officer at the prestige beauty brand from May 2023.
111SKIN secures investment from Kim Kardashian's SKKY Partners
111SKIN received a minority investment from SKKY Partners, the consumer-focused private equity firm co-founded by Jay Sammons and Kim Kardashian, to drive growth in key markets. As part of this, the skincare brand aims to strengthen its direct-to-consumer business while expanding its customer base in locations such as North America and Asia, where it has seen "substantial" growth.
Caroline Hirons launches Skin Rocks PRO to 'disrupt' professional skincare industry
Skincare expert Caroline Hirons launched Skin Rocks PRO, announcing plans to bring its range of products to clinics and skin therapists ahead of a new professional-exclusive line later this year. A lifelong ambition brought to life, Skin Rocks PRO embodies Hirons’ dedication to elevating the standards of the skincare industry.
Boots sales rise thanks to 'record-breaking' Black Friday
Boots delivered an 8.1% increase in sales for the first quarter ending 30 November 2024, bolstered by an "exceptional" Black Friday period. Sales increased 20% during Black Friday week, with fragrance, beauty and Christmas gifts among the top selling categories.
Cloud Nine appoints new advisor to support 'ambitious growth plans'
Cloud Nine welcomed Stephanie Mason in an advisory role to support its "ambitious growth plans", including the UK-based brand's expansion in Australia and New Zealand in 2025. She will work with Cloud Nine's UK-based team to drive its growth strategy, leveraging her knowledge, insight and relationships with both professionals and retailers.
Lush co-founder’s son accuses Reeves of 'asset stripping' businesses
Lush Chief Digital Officer Jack Constantine accused Chancellor Rachel Reeves of "asset stripping" businesses following the Government’s changes to inheritance tax. The son of co-founders Mark and Mo Constantine said the Government was "sucking" profits out from businesses and driving them away from being entrepreneurially run.
Superdrug celebrates 'best Christmas ever' thanks to own-brand demand
Superdrug reported a 5.1% increase in sales for the final weeks of 2024, attributed to the ongoing popularity of its own-brand ranges during the festive period. The health and beauty retailer revealed that one gift set was sold every second throughout December as four new own-brand ranges were added, contributing to record demand.
Byoma unveils 'biggest barrier breakthrough' with new vegan alternative to snail mucin
Skincare brand Byoma launched a vegan alternative to snail mucin, designed to rival the ingredient's efficacy to "deeply hydrate, even skin tone, and improve texture". The star ingredient, phytomucin, is a bio-based alternative derived from Japanese roots and plants that are polysaccharide-rich to reduce water loss and strengthen skin barrier function.
Monday Haircare founder introduces new brand Daise
Daise Beauty launched with a range of brightly packaged, mood-boosting bodycare products for Gen Alpha and Gen Z. The new business was co-founded by beauty entrepreneur Jaimee Lupton, who is also known for co-founding Monday Haircare. Luptons aim? To democratise beauty by creating premium offerings at accessible prices.
Revolution Beauty warns over sales slump after December trading woes
Revolution Beauty warned that annual sales were set to tumble by around a quarter after online trading weakness in December and delays to retail launches. The group – which sells makeup, skincare, haircare and bodycare products online and through concessions – said it had seen some "sales softness" over the key Christmas month across its digital channels, as well as "an element of de-stocking" by retailers in the US.
Sustainable Beauty Coalition to tackle industry waste with new initiative
The British Beauty Council’s Sustainable Beauty Coalition launched The Great British Beauty Clean Up, a first-of-its-kind collaboration between brands and retailers designed to reduce the amount of waste created by the beauty industry.
Boots targets 'savvy savers' with new value campaign
Using first-party targeting for the first time, Boots launched a new campaign to showcase the ways "savvy savers" can get the best value at the retailer. The high street chain is directly reaching customers who have purchased low-cost items in specific categories, as well as targeting shoppers with an average order value of £5 or less.
Alpha-H reformulates bestselling Liquid Gold with new multitasking formula
Australian skincare brand Alpha-H reformulated its bestselling Liquid Gold formula, 25 years after the product's debut in 2000. Introducing vitamin C to its existing glycolic acid base, the new treatment relaunched this month to align with evolving consumer preferences for multitasking, high-performance skincare.
La Roche-Posay launches AI skincare coach for 'clearer skin and a clearer mind'
La Roche-Posay unveiled a new AI-powered skincare coach, promising users "clearer skin and a clearer mind" in just 21 days. Offering dermatologist-grade support, SpotScan+ Coach can provide users with a comprehensive skin analysis and skincare routine recommendation.
Bloom Perfumery triples Covent Garden presence following growing demand
Independent perfume retailer Bloom Perfumery relocated within Covent Garden, opening a larger store within The Yards to reflect its "significant" growth. Triple the size of its previous site, the new store has landed at 4 Slingsby Place to accommodate "the influx of visitors the store receives", as well as the brand’s growing collection of fragrances.
Blanket PR launches new talent network with star-studded beauty roster
PR agency Blanket, responsible for beauty brands Gisou, Fresh, CeraVe and Jones Road, to name a few, launched The Blanket Network - "a commercial talent division representing the most credible industry professionals". This new offshoot offers a bespoke approach, with varying levels to suit trusted advocates in the beauty industry.
New L’Oréal skin analysis tool can help predict ageing and cosmetic issues
A new analysis tool from skincare giant L’Oreal can give users a breakdown of how their skin is ageing, and which cosmetic ingredients they are more responsive to. the L’Oréal Cell BioPrint is a tabletop, portable device that can analyse a skin sample gathered from a facial tape strip placed on to the cheek.
How The Inkey List combines barrier science with hydration technology for latest skincare innovation
The Inkey List unveiled a "breakthrough" in barrier skincare with its new Ectoin Hydro-Barrier Serum. Formulated for long-term healthy skin, the new serum promises to instantly boost hydration up to 10 surface layers deep whilst simultaneously building a stronger skin barrier.British
Beauty Council appoints first Wellbeing Ambassador
The British Beauty Council named British-American model and founder of MAY Botanicals, Georgia May Jagger, as its first Wellbeing Ambassador. In this new role, Jagger hopes to bolster the influence of the industry on wellness, creativity and entrepreneurship.
Interviews, trends & features
- In depth: The secret to a successful pop-up
- 10 retail trends set to shape the fragrance industry in 2025
- The Interview in partnership with CEW: Mia Collins, General Merchandising Manager for Beauty, Harrods
- TheIndustry.beauty Awards Winners' Interview: Alexandra Scolding, Director of Beauty, Debenhams
- The Interview: Wonderskin co-founder Marina Kalenchyts on viral products, TikTok growth and future plans
- TheIndustry.beauty Awards Winners' Interview: Colette Laxton, co-founder, The Inkey List
- Results round-up: How high street retailers performed during the Golden Quarter
- Results round-up: How UK shopping centres performed during the Golden Quarter
- Medik8 CPO Daniel Isaacs reveals skincare ingredient trends for 2025
- Sculpted By Aimee founder shares top beauty trend predictions for 2025