In Review, June 2026: Headline highlights from Boots, Sephora, Charlotte Tilbury and more...

Sophie Smith

01 July 2026

June was shaped by scale moves. Major retailers and global brands used last month to push harder on distribution, events and partnerships, while wellness and skincare continued to attract strategic interest.

We’ve rounded up the biggest beauty stories from the month, spotlighting major updates from industry heavyweights like Sephora, Prequel and The Body Shop. Plus, we revisit some of the standout features from TheIndustry.beauty that you may have missed.

Boots awarded Royal Warrant by Her Majesty The Queen

Boots was granted a Royal Warrant by Her Majesty The Queen in recognition of its role as manufacturers and retailers of health and beauty products to the Royal Household. The endorsement added another layer to the retailer’s heritage positioning at a time when legacy and trust continued to matter in health and beauty.

Sephora

Sephora to bring 'Sephoria' beauty festival to London for first UK edition

Sephora confirmed that its global beauty festival, Sephoria, would be staged in the UK for the first time in October, with a two-day ticketed event at 180 Studios in London. The move extended the retailer’s brand-building strategy into live events and gave it a new platform to deepen engagement with UK consumers.

The Body Shop expands online reach with first retail partnership

In a significant step in its ongoing transformation, The Body Shop strengthened its online retail strategy in a new partnership with Lookfantastic. The move marked the next phase of the brand's UK growth plan, expanding its distribution model to include a third-party retailer for the first time.

Harrods appoints Chief Operating Officer amid wider leadership shake-up

Harrods strengthened its leadership team with the appointment of Andreas Efstathiou as Chief Operating Officer, integrating store operations under one leader for the first time. The change suggested a broader effort to tighten control across the business, including supply chain, facilities, engineering and security.

Unilever explores bid for $4bn supplements maker Thorne

Unilever was reported to be among several bidders exploring an acquisition of Thorne, the science-led supplements maker valued at up to $4 billion. The interest pointed to continued consumer goods appetite for wellness assets with scale potential and a strong clinical positioning.

Lookfantastic

THG reaffirms outlook as skincare fuels beauty growth

THG said full-year revenue was expected to be in line with consensus, helped by a return to growth in the first half. The trading update showed H1 group revenue rising by about 6.5% in constant currency, with skincare remaining a key driver in the beauty division.

Charlotte Tilbury expands high street reach with Boots debut

Charlotte Tilbury Beauty confirmed a launch into 31 Boots stores across the UK from July, widening its high street availability. The rollout followed customer demand for greater access through the retailer and added more reach for one of the category’s most recognisable premium names.

Lush presents economic case for expanding UK's non-animal testing sector

Lush met MPs and representatives to present research arguing that the UK’s non-animal testing sector could reach £2.12 billion in turnover and support more than 12,000 jobs by 2030. The report highlighted momentum in alternative testing methods and gave the retailer a policy-focused role in the wider category debate.

Julien Dossena exits Rabanne after 13 years as Creative Director

Rabanne confirmed that Julien Dossena was leaving after 13 years as Creative Director, with a successor to be announced in due course. The departure marked a significant change for the Puig-owned fashion and fragrance house.

Takami

Japanese skincare giant Takami debuts in UK

Takami launched exclusively at Space NK, making its first move into the UK market. The debut brought the Japanese skincare brand’s bestselling Daily Renewing Soft Peel and other core products to a new audience.

Saltair explores potential sale as The Center eyes third beauty exit

Saltair, the bodycare brand co-founded by Iskra Lawrence, was reported to be exploring a potential sale, with Raymond James hired to run the process. It came as the brand projected sales of $150 million this year and as The Center looked at another possible exit.

Prequel set for UK debut in Space NK's 'biggest skincare launch of the year'

Prequel prepared for its UK launch this month, marking its first expansion outside the US. The arrival added another science-led skincare brand to Space NK’s portfolio as demand for formula-first brands stayed strong.

Dr.Melaxin expands UK presence following TikTok Shop success

Dr.Melaxin expanded into more Boots stores across the UK less than a year after launching in market, following strong consumer demand through TikTok Shop. The scale-up took the Korean skincare brand to 196 Boots stores nationwide and underlined the retail power of social-led discovery.

Wrinkles Schminkles acquired by Avenir Collective

Wrinkles Schminkles, the Australian reusable wrinkle-patch brand sold in more than 22 countries, was acquired by Avenir Collective. The deal positions the brand within the aesthetics-adjacent skincare category, where science-backed claims and loyal repeat purchasing continued to attract buyers.

The Organic Pharmacy serves up suncare in new Wimbledon activation

The Organic Pharmacy announced a limited-time consumer activation at Wimbledon Station to coincide with the Championships. The three-day event showcases its sun protection range through sampling, demonstrations and promotional offers.

SunsolveMD broadens reach with The Chancery Rosewood spa partnership

SunsolveMD struck a partnership with Asaya Spa at The Chancery Rosewood London, placing its mineral SPF range in the Mayfair hotel. The deal linked the clinical SPF brand with a science-led wellness destination and expanded its premium touchpoints.

Flâner opens first international store in London

Flâner opened its first international store on Redchurch Street in Shoreditch after a year of planning and relocation. The London debut gave the Melbourne fragrance label a physical retail base and signalled a deeper commitment to discovery-led selling.

Kiko Milano

Kiko Milano names Madonna as Global Brand Ambassador in US expansion push

Kiko Milano launched a new global campaign introducing Madonna as its Global Brand Ambassador, marking a strategic move aimed at strengthening its appeal to US consumers. Titled “The KIKO Show”, the campaign positioned Madonna as “the ultimate icon of self-expression and style".

'We're actually talking about it': Zara Larsson hints at possible make-up brand

Zara Larsson said she and make-up artist Sofia Sannino were in early discussions about a beauty venture, with a social-media-ready aesthetic already drawing attention. The comments left the door open to another celebrity-led cosmetics entry, though nothing had been confirmed yet.

Skin Rocks unveils biggest campaign yet amid continued momentum

Skin Rocks unveiled its biggest advertising campaign to date, as it continues its positive growth momentum. The activation marked the British skincare brand’s first foray into out-of-home advertising, an important mile stone as it continues to scale.

New brand ROCCO debuts with ‘neurocosmetic’ skincare range

New skincare brand, ROCCO, launched exclusively in Boots stores. The brand was founded by broadcaster, creative and entrepreneur Laura Jackson following what she describes as frustration with increasingly complex skincare routines and products that failed to deliver an enjoyable user experience. It aims to combine skincare efficacy with a focus on emotional wellbeing and everyday rituals.

Bodycare

Bodycare targets 200 UK stores in five-year revival following collapse

Collapsed retail chain Bodycare is set to launch 25 new stores across the UK in 2026, with the first wave of openings scheduled to begin this month. The expansion forms part of an ambitious growth strategy that aims to establish 200 locations nationwide over the next five years.

Revolution Beauty strikes licensing deal with Debenhams Group years after boardroom battle

Revolution Beauty struck a deal with its shareholder Debenhams Group to launch beauty and fragrance products, having “completely reset” the relationship years after a well-publicised boardroom spat. The new licensing partnership means Revolution can make products to sell across Debenhams’ range of brands – adding to existing partners like Boots and Superdrug.

Summer Fridays CEO to retire with successor search underway

Summer Fridays Chief Executive John Heffner is retiring after more than six years in the role, with the brand now initiating a search for a new CEO. Heffner has led the company since 2020 and will remain CEO while the board searches for his replacement. After a new appointment is made, he is expected to transition into an advisory role.

LVMH taps Lancôme exec to lead Sephora Collection

LVMH appointed Sylvia Tournery as President of Sephora Collection, reinforcing the own-brand line as a key focus within its portfolio. Tournery joins the Sephora Global Leadership Team and report to Guillaume Motte, President & CEO of Sephora and member of the LVMH Group Executive Committee.

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In Review, June 2026: Headline highlights from Boots, Sephora, Charlotte Tilbury and more...

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