In Review, May 2026: Headline highlights from Estée Lauder, Boots, Orebella and more...

Sophie Smith

28 May 2026

May was a dynamic month for the beauty industry, marked by major leadership changes, strategic pivots, and continued retail expansion across key UK and global players. Highlights included a new CEO appointment at Boots, ongoing restructuring and brand portfolio activity at The Estée Lauder Companies, and continued investment in the wellness sector.

We’ve rounded up the biggest beauty stories from the month, spotlighting major updates from industry heavyweights like Estée Lauder, Boots, Superdrug and Neal’s Yard Remedies. Plus, we revisit some of the standout features from TheIndustry.beauty that you may have missed.

Boots confirms ex-Currys boss as new CEO

Boots confirmed that former Currys CEO Alex Baldock will be taking over as its Chief Executive Officer this autumn. Until Baldock joins as CEO, Anthony Hemmerdinger, Senior Vice President and Managing Director of Boots UK, Ireland, Opticians and No7 Beauty Company, will continue to lead the business.

Estée Lauder

Estée Lauder ends merger talks with Puig as it continues turnaround

The Estée Lauder Companies and Puig ended discussions regarding a potential business combination, bringing speculation over a deal that could have created one of the world’s largest beauty groups to a close. Estée Lauder confirmed that it remains focused on executing its “Beauty Reimagined” strategy, which it said is designed to create a faster, more agile and consumer-focused organisation.

Superdrug owner AS Watson eyes London flotation

AS Watson, the Hong Kong-based owner of Superdrug, is continuing plans for a potential $30 billion dual stock market listing. Reports this month suggested that the company could raise approximately $2 billion through listings in both London and Hong Kong before the end of 2026. AS Watson, owned by CK Hutchison Holdings, is working with advisers including Goldman Sachs, UBS and Latham & Watkins on the proposed IPO, although plans remain subject to market conditions.

UK report calls for national strategy on UV protection amid rising skin cancer case

The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Beauty, Hair & Wellbeing this month called for an improved approach to ultraviolet (UV) protection following the release of a new report examining UV safety in the UK. The research is based on a year-long inquiry into the health impacts of UV exposure and argues that the UK currently lacks a coordinated strategy to address UV-related harm.

Bella Hadid’s Orebella secures investment and appoints new CEO to drive global expansion

Orebella, the fragrance brand founded by Bella Hadid, announced the completion of a Series A financing round to support continued growth in product innovation and international retail expansion. The announcement coincided with the recent appointment of Anish Agarwal as Chief Executive Officer, as the US-based company prepares to expand its operational presence in key international markets.

Marc Jacobs

Coty revives Marc Jacobs Beauty with global relaunch

Coty announced the launch of Marc Jacobs Beauty, marking the return of the colour cosmetics line developed in partnership with designer Marc Jacobs. The new collection is centred around the concept of “Joyride Sensoriality”, described as an immersive makeup experience focused on texture, tactile finishes and formulas intended to engage the senses while offering long-wearing performance.

Ouai appoints Kopari Beauty boss as CEO

Prestige haircare brand Ouai appointed Susan Kim as its new Chief Executive Officer. Kim joined Ouai from Kopari Beauty, where she served as CEO since 2020. She also previously held senior positions at Huda Beauty, Benefit Cosmetics and L'Oréal. Her priorities include expanding the brand internationally, accelerating digital sales growth and maintaining Ouai’s luxury positioning.

FACEGYM confirms first UK franchise openings and 28-site expansion plan

British brand FACEGYM confirmed the opening of four new UK studios between May and the end of June 2026, marking the first phase of expansion under its newly introduced franchise model. The initial rollout sees new studios open in Cambridge, Richmond, Liverpool Street (London) and Manchester, with 28 additional locations planned across the UK over the next three years.

Skin Rocks arrives in Scotland with exclusive Fairmont partnership

Skin Rocks by Caroline Hirons, announced a new exclusive partnership with luxury coastal resort Fairmont St Andrews in Scotland. It marks the brand’s first collaboration with a Scottish luxury spa destination and brings Skin Rocks’ clinically focused skincare approach to the Fairmont Spa. At the centre of the partnership is the Fairmont x Skin Rocks Signature Facial, a bespoke treatment delivered by trained spa therapists.

Code8 Beauty

Code8 Beauty opens new flagship featuring bespoke lipstick experience

British beauty brand Code8 Beauty opened a new Covent Garden flagship store, marking a significant step in its retail expansion. Located at 29 Monmouth Street in Seven Dials, London, the 800 sq ft boutique has been designed as a contemporary space focused on personalised service and “intelligent beauty”.

'A visionary creator': Master perfumer Olivier Creed dies

Olivier Creed, the master perfumer who led The House of Creed as its sixth-generation steward, passed away this month. Creed devoted his life to preserving and redefining the art of haute perfumery. Under his creative direction, the luxury fragrance brand created some of its most iconic scents, each reflecting his distinctive vision, creativity and uncompromising pursuit of excellence.

Superdrug owner AS Watson bets on agility and UK investment amid 'volatile' global market

AS Watson is positioning itself for resilience in an increasingly volatile global market, with group leadership emphasising agility, consumer trust and strategic investment in the UK as key priorities for growth. Speaking at a 185th anniversary roundtable this month, CEO Malina Ngai said the firm is focused on "building a company for stability" despite mounting geopolitical and economic uncertainty.

Unfabled lands at Sainsbury’s as women seek supplements in their weekly shop

Unfabled, the women’s health and wellness brand founded in 2021 by Hannah Samano, launched into Sainsbury's stores nationwide, marking its first entry into grocery retail. It comes as research from Unfabled Labs found that 70% of UK women would prefer to buy supplements alongside their weekly grocery shop.

P.Louise

P.Louise selects Boots for high street debut

P.Louise, the cosmetics brand founded by professional make-up artist and social media personality Paige Louise Williams, has launched in Boots stores, marking its first move onto the UK high street. As part of the launch, the P.Louise team trained Boots Beauty Specialists on the brand and its products to help store teams provide product knowledge, application guidance and customer support in-store.

Healthy Extracts acquires women’s wellness brand Imaraïs Beauty

Healthy Extracts, an emerging nutraceutical technology and precision-dose delivery company, acquired women's wellness brand Imaraïs Beauty. The transaction follows the companies’ manufacturing partnership and represents Healthy Extracts’ expansion into the growing "beauty-from-within" category.

Estée Lauder receives final bids for Too Faced, Smashbox and Dr. Jart+

Having already been the topic of much conversation this month, The Estée Lauder Companies reportedly received final bids for its brands Too Faced, Smashbox and Dr. Jart+. According to sources, at least one interested party explored acquiring all three brands, while several bidders focused specifically on the makeup brands. Other potential buyers were said to be evaluating Dr. Jart+ independently.

Ruka Hair secures investment to fuel global growth

London-based Ruka Hair secured $4.5 million in new funding to expand access to its lab-grown hair products. The funding round was co-led by Freedom Trail Capital and Henkel Ventures, with participation from Big Issue Invest, Backed VC and strategic angel investors including Knut Alicke, Sophia Dennis and Didier Morais. The round also included backing from athlete Dina Asher-Smith.

Neal’s Yard Remedies

Neal’s Yard Remedies expands new store concept with East London boutique

Neal’s Yard Remedies opened a new boutique in Spitalfields, London, marking the second iteration of its “Store of the Future” concept as the brand continues to evolve its retail experience. Located in an area known for its artisanal heritage and local produce market, the new store draws on the British brand’s apothecary roots while aiming to create a more immersive, sensory-led retail environment.

ZARA denies infringing Estée Lauder’s Jo Malone trademark

ZARA denied infringing Estée Lauder’s Jo Malone London trademark, arguing in UK High Court filings that its use of perfumer Jo Malone’s name on fragrances sold through its collaboration with Jo Loves was consistent with principles outlined by Estée Lauder in 2020. The legal dispute centres on the appearance of the name “Jo Malone” on packaging for Jo Loves fragrances sold through ZARA, including the wording: “A creation by Jo Malone CBE, founder of Jo Loves”.

SunsolveMD names Global Commercial Director to accelerate growth

Performance-led clinical SPF skincare brand SunsolveMD appointed Serina Sandhu as Global Commercial Director, as it continues its expansion following its launch last year. Sandhu brings international commercial experience across the luxury beauty, wellness, retail and distribution sectors. She most recently served as Chief Commercial Officer at Aromatherapy Associates for over two years.

M&S profits slide after cyber attack, but retailer hails ‘progress’

Marks & Spencer revealed a slump in sales and profits due to disruption from a major cyber attack last year which halted online sales. Nevertheless, the retailer said it has come out of the year “stronger” and expects to return to profit growth this financial year. Bosses added that the company still made “progress” in its wider transformation plan, which has included major store refurbishments.

Harvey Nichols

Harvey Nichols debuts in-store wellness hub with Pilates studio and beauty clinic

Harvey Nichols opened a new wellness destination at its Knightsbridge flagship, bringing together fitness, beauty, nutrition and athleisure, including a Reformer Pilates studio offering Cadillac classes and private full-apparatus sessions with rooftop views over Knightsbridge, alongside the Harvey Nichols Clinic, which offers aesthetic and therapeutic treatments from specialist practitioners.

Stila Cosmetics appoints former Estée Lauder president as CEO

Stila Cosmetics named Daniel M. Annese as its new CEO, marking a new phase in the brand’s leadership and strategic direction. Annese stepped into the role following a three-year tenure as a Board Advisor to the company. He brings more than 25 years of experience in the global beauty industry, including senior leadership positions at The Estée Lauder Companies, where he served as Global Brand President and was a member of the Executive Leadership Team.

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In Review, May 2026: Headline highlights from Estée Lauder, Boots, Orebella and more...

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