In Review, January 2026: Headline highlights from Malin + Goetz, Space NK, Boots and more...

Sophie Smith

30 January 2026

If this month is any indication of what lies ahead, 2026 is shaping up to be a busy year. It has already kicked off with a bang - from administration and bankruptcies (never welcome news) to new store openings, record-breaking festive trading and significant leadership moves. The headlines have been coming thick and fast.

Beyond the news, TheIndustry.beauty has also delivered trends analysis, interviews and in-depth features, with plenty more in the pipeline as we move into February. But before we look ahead, here’s a round-up of this month’s highlights…

Malin + Goetz to close UK stores as it enters into administration

Skincare and fragrance brand Malin + Goetz filed for administration in the UK, leading to the closure of its stores and a pause in online sales. The move led to redundancies for employees across the brand's UK store estate, which comprised seven London locations.

Space NK celebrates 'record-breaking' peak period with biggest sales week in history

Space NK delivered record-breaking performance over November and December 2025, achieving total business growth of 26% year-on-year. The British beauty giant recorded the biggest sales week in its history during Black Friday, exceeding its previous record by almost 20%.

Byoma names Global President & Chief Brand Officer to drive expansion

Byoma appointed Tara Loftis as its new Global President and Chief Brand Officer. In her new role, Loftis will divide her time between LA, Paris, and Byoma's headquarters in Glasgow as the brand accelerates its international expansion. She will also work with retail and distribution partners to scale Byoma into its next phase of development.

Pat McGrath Labs files for bankruptcy

Pat McGrath Labs filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the Southern District of Florida. It came just one day before the brand’s assets were scheduled to go to public auction on 27 January 2026, as the company sought a buyer.

Liberty names buying and merchandising boss as new MD for Retail

Liberty appointed Lydia King as Managing Director of Retail, succeeding Sarah Coonan, who left the British department store this month. King was most recently Group Buying & Merchandising Director at Liberty, where she played a "central" role in shaping the retailer’s buying strategy and led teams across fashion, beauty and lifestyle.

Anya Hindmarch ‘Anya-ises’ Boots with playful beauty collaboration

Anya Hindmarch teamed up with Boots on a limited-time beauty concept store and co-created essentials range, bringing a dose of humour and heritage to The Village on London’s Pont Street. At the centre of the collaboration is a limited-edition range of everyday bathroom essentials, combining the health and beauty retailer’s trusted formulations with designer Hindmarch’s instantly recognisable eyes motif.

Lookfantastic to open second store amid plans for further expansion

Lookfantastic is expanding its physical retail presence with the opening of a second UK store in Bristol next month.The move represents a further step in the retailer’s evolution from a digital platform to one that incorporates in-person retail and community engagement.

indu goes global with first international market launch

Teen skincare brand indu is accelerating its global expansion, making its debut in Australia and New Zealand from 9 February through a partnership with Sephora. The UK-based brand will launch in 38 Sephora stores across both countries, marking the first step in its international growth.

Discovery-led shopping drives 60% surge in TikTok Shop beauty sales

TikTok Shop reported a 60% increase in beauty sales year-on-year, highlighting the growing dominance of social commerce in one of the UK’s most competitive retail categories. The growth reflects TikTok Shop’s “discovery-first” shopping model, where consumers often begin without a specific product or brand in mind.

E.l.f. Cosmetics

E.l.f. Cosmetics enters fragrance in new partnership with H&M

E.l.f. Cosmetics stepped into fragrance for the first time, partnering with H&M to launch a new collection inspired by its bestselling products. The collaboration reflects H&M’s continued expansion beyond fashion into beauty and fragrance, while offering E.l.f. Cosmetics an entry point into the scent category.

Symprove acquired by US-based Metagenics following rapid growth

Symprove joined Metagenics Group, marking a new chapter in the UK-based brand's growth journey. The acquisition sees Symprove become part of Metagenics, a California-based nutritional supplement distributor. It follows Symprove’s partnership with BD-Capital in 2020, during which time the business has more than tripled in size.

Boots unveils new Wellness Zones amid soaring demand

Boots introduced in-store Wellness Zones and a dedicated team of Health & Wellness Specialists in response to soaring demand in the category. The new zones highlight products and brands across gut health, nutrition, hydration, sleep, movement, and the increasingly popular "beauty-from-within" trend - an inside-out approach to beauty also championed by retailers such as Holland & Barrett.

Elemis names former Coty exec as UK Commercial Director

Elemis appointed Victoria Ritchie as UK Commercial Director. Ritchie joined the British brand from Coty, where she was Director of Field, Education, Flagship & Department Stores. Prior to this, she served as Head of Retail for Hermès Beauty across the UK and Ireland, as well as held senior roles at The Estée Lauder Companies and L’Oréal.

Dewberry returns: The Body Shop revives iconic ’90s scent

A beloved ’90s classic made a comeback, as The Body Shop announced the return of its iconic Dewberry scent, now "reimagined for a new generation". Although discontinued in 2002, Dewberry never faded from memory. Loyal fans petitioned for its return, and this month, their wishes were answered. It launched in stores and online on 27 January.

indu exits makeup to focus on skincare

Teen beauty brand indu is stepping away from makeup and sharpening its focus on skincare. After listening closely to its teen community, the brand has decided to concentrate on skincare, putting skin health at the centre of its offering. To mark the transition, indu launched its biggest-ever sale, with all makeup products priced at £5.

Sephora UK to open first store in Northern Ireland

Sephora UK is opening its first store in Northern Ireland next month. Speculation had been growing since a hoarding sign with Sephora’s distinctive black and white stripe branding was erected in the Victoria Square shopping complex in Belfast last year.

John Frieda unveils global brand relaunch with focus on sustainability and innovation

John Frieda, owned by Japanese beauty giant Kao, announced a global relaunch aimed at strengthening its position in the premium mass haircare segment. The relaunch includes reformulated products, redesigned packaging and a new brand platform intended to modernise the brand while drawing on its salon-led heritage.

Neal's Yard Remedies targets conscious consumers with new 'store of the future'

Neal’s Yard Remedies reimagined its Covent Garden flagship, introducing a new retail concept described by the brand as a "store of the future". The British wellbeing brand has traded at the Covent Garden location for nearly 45 years, with the refurbishment reflecting an updated approach aimed at today’s environmentally conscious consumers.

Sarah Chapman launches new Longevity division to support skin and wellbeing from inside out

Sarah Chapman launched a new Longevity division within her Chelsea clinic, expanding her science-led skincare approach beyond topical treatments to focus on the underlying biological factors that influence skin health and ageing. The division operates alongside the clinic’s existing Medical arm - which includes dermatology, aesthetics, injectables and diagnostics - as well as Chapman’s Skinesis product range and treatment offering.

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In Review, January 2026: Headline highlights from Malin + Goetz, Space NK, Boots and more...

Interviews, features & trends