In Review, November 2024: Headline highlights from Estée Lauder, Sephora, The Body Shop and more...

Sophie Smith

29 November 2024

From Christmas ads and festive shopping to Black Friday, new store openings and senior leadership appointments, trends, and more, the golden quarter is upon us and it's certainly been a busy month!

Here's a round-up featuring November's big beauty headlines from brands and retailers including Sephora, Haeckels, The Body Shop, Estée Lauder, and more, as well as the top features content from TheIndustry.beauty.

Nicola Kilner

DECIEM CEO Nicola Kilner to step down

Nicola Kilner, the co-founder and CEO of DECIEM, will step down from her role at the end of this year, five months after The Estée Lauder Companies completed its acquisition of the business. She will remain as co-founder and still be involved with the company. A successor is yet to be named.

Sephora to open 20 new UK stores as it unveils ambitious expansion plans

Sephora is planning to open 20 UK stores as the global beauty retailer strengthens its bricks-and-mortar presence. CEO Guillaume Motte said he wanted to double the size of the business in Britain by launching new shops as well as expanding its online channel.

Estée Lauder Companies names new UK&I General Manager

The Estée Lauder Companies named Pernilla Nyberg as Senior Vice President and General Manager in the UK and Ireland, replacing Sue Fox, who will retire next year. With a background in finance, strategy, marketing, and enterprise-wide transformation, Nyberg previously held a leadership role in the UK and Ireland from 2012 to 2016, as Vice President, Regional CFO and Strategy Leader.

The Body Shop

The Body Shop appoints new CMO and CFO as it continues post-acquisition reset

The Body Shop strengthened its leadership team with the appointments of a new Chief Marketing Officer and Chief Financial & Operations Officer, who will help to "steer the company into a new period of growth". Penny Brook joins the brand as Chief Marketing Officer, following a decade at Canada Goose. Meanwhile, Sally Dowling was named as Chief Financial & Operations Officer.

Revolution Beauty swings to loss, but sees ‘encouraging progress’

Revolution Beauty swung to a first-half loss after seeing sales slump by 20%, but said it was seeing "encouraging progress" in its revamp plan. The group reported pre-tax losses of £10.9 million for its half-year to 31 August against profits of £400,000 a year earlier.

Britain’s biggest retailers say job losses ‘inevitable’ after Budget tax hikes

Britain’s biggest retailers warned the Chancellor that jobs will be cut and prices will have to rise as they face a more-than-£7 billion hit from Budget tax increases. More than 70 businesses, including Marks & Spencer, NEXT and Boots told Rachel Reeves in an open letter that the changes announced in last month’s Budget mean price hikes are a "certainty".

Haeckels

Haeckels undergoes rebrand with founder back at helm and new CEO

Haeckels marked a new chapter of innovation, responsibility and growth, bolstered by the return of its founder and the appointment of a new CEO. As part of its rebrand, the name 'Haeckels' has been removed from all packaging and communications. The business will now operate without a formal name over the next 12 months as it engages with its community around the name change.

Grown Alchemist opens debut UK flagship in London's Soho

Grown Alchemist opened a new store in London's Soho, marking its first flagship outside of Australia and an exciting chapter in its global growth. Located at 35 Beak Street, the new flagship store promises to deliver a luxe skincare experience centred around advanced biotech-based skin and body care formulas.

Space NK to continue store expansion as sales rise

Space NK plans to open ten new stores next year as it continues to invest in the UK high street following a surge in sales and profits. CEO Andy Lightfoot said he was a "real believer" in bricks-and-mortar retail and had a pipeline of new openings in high streets and shopping centres across the UK.

Boots reveals 2024 Christmas ad starring Bridgerton's Adjoa Andoh

Boots unveiled its 2024 Christmas campaign, titled 'The Christmas Makeover', featuring a festive film that "unleashes the magic of beauty" with actor and Bridgerton star Adjoa Andoh as Mrs Claus. The film follows Adjoa as she leads her squad of beauty elves in her Christmas "werkshop", showing viewers that Boots has a present for every kind of beauty enthusiast.

Estée Lauder family issues statement following declining sales

The Estée Lauder Companies shared a message from the Lauder family, addressing its declining sales as it looks to bring the firm back to profitable growth. The statement cane after Estée Lauder reported 4% decrease in net sales to £2.58 billion ($3.36 billion) for the first quarter, revealing single-digit declines across all beauty categories.

In Pictures: Diptyque's festive felt collab with artist Lucy Sparrow

Diptyque teamed up with British contemporary artist and felt crafter Lucy Sparrow for a wide-reaching festive collaboration, including special edition packaging, a multitude of gift items and decorations, and a pop-up installation at its flagship Bond Street Maison. The pop-up takes the form of a festive delicatessen, where 2,000 festive felt faux-food items are available to purchase.

TikTok predicts record-breaking Christmas sales for brands on platform

TikTok predicted that this Christmas will mark its biggest UK retail moment yet, driven by a surge in LIVE shopping sessions and an increase in ad spend from clients over the festive period. It comes as more businesses join the platform, driving sales this festive period through the power of 'discovery commerce'.

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