In Review, September 2024: Headline highlights from The Body Shop, Lookfantastic, Trinny London and more...

Sophie Smith

01 October 2024

September was a big month for beauty trends as the various global fashion weeks delivered many memorable looks, as well as the start of autumn driving change across the industry ahead of peak season.

From new store openings and senior leadership appointments to acquisitions, rebrands, and more, it certainly was a busy month for the industry and consequently, the team here at TheIndustry.beauty.

Here's a round-up featuring last month's big beauty headlines from brands and retailers including The Body Shop, Lookfantastic and Boots, as well as the top features content from TheIndustry.beauty.

In Pictures: Trinny London opens first-ever flagship store

Trinny London opened its debut flagship store at 31 King's Road in London's Chelsea, marking a milestone moment for the British brand as it continues to grow. Spread across two levels, the space offers the brand's full suite of products and services.

Boots

Boots names Anthony Hemmerdinger as new Managing Director

Boots appointed Anthony Hemmerdinger as its new Managing Director. Hemmerdinger has served as Executive Retail & Operations Director at Boots since April 2023, having first joined the retailer as Executive Retail Director in 2022. His appointment follows a thorough search process and comes after current boss Seb James announced his plans to step down after six years to pursue a new role in the healthcare sector.

AKT London raises $10m investment to 'accelerate expansion'

AKT London secured $10 million in funding from London-based venture capital firm Felix Capital to support its mission of advancing product innovation and expanding globally. This strategic move aligns with the sustainable deodorant brand's vision of becoming a "global leader" in personal and body care.

Lookfantastic divulges details about concept store that "redefines retail"

Lookfantastic opened its first-ever concept store on the outskirts of Manchester. Here, the beauty retailer is on a mission to "redefine retail" as community-driven and educational. The new concept store is specifically designed to be a bold departure from traditional beauty halls, offering a relaxed, dog-friendly atmosphere for beauty veterans and newcomers alike.

Health and beauty spending surges despite cost-of-living pressures

Spending on health and beauty products is booming despite cost-of-living pressures as UK consumers increasingly consider makeup and perfume to be as essential as groceries, figures suggested last month. The most resilient products over the past three years – those where consumers say they have either increased or not changed their spending – are pharmaceuticals (68%), haircare (66%), bodycare (62%) and fragrances (54%).

The Body Shop rescued by acquisition deal with remaining 113 stores to stay open

The Body Shop was rescued from administration by a consortium led by British tycoon Mike Jatania, with remaining stores to continue trading. Jatania’s investment firm Aurea announced the completion of the acquisition last month, with Jatania and Charles Denton, the former Chief Executive of Molton Brown, to head the new leadership team.

Boots launches largest beauty campaign to date after influx of new brands

Boots unveiled its biggest-ever marketing campaign. In celebration of a number of new brands at the retailer, the campaign invites the nation to ‘Make More Room for Beauty’ products in their lives. It came as Boots expanded its Korean beauty offer with six new brands, including Skin1004, Round Lab, Anua, Mixsoon, Haru Haru Wonder and Isntree.

Beauty Pie and Tropic Skincare among top 'women-powered' UK firms

Beauty Pie and Tropic Skincare are among the fastest-growing UK businesses led by women, a new report found last month. JP Morgan Private Bank also shared that investment in "women-powered" businesses has tripled over the past decade.

Net-A-Porter switches beauty business to affiliate model

Following reports that Net-A-Porter was closing its beauty business, the luxury e-commerce platform confirmed that it would instead introduce an affiliate beauty selling model. As part of this, the online retailer will maintain a beauty shopping vertical on its website, though the platform will no longer manage a beauty inventory of its own. It will instead direct shoppers to brands' own DTC channels to complete purchases.

Birkenstock

Birkenstock enters beauty category with new foot care range

Footwear brand Birkenstock entered the beauty category with a range of six foot care products. Building upon its long-standing heritage of orthopaedic expertise, the new collection marks the latest innovation to complete the brand's 360° approach to foot health. The product line-up represents the culmination of years of research and development, promising a "harmonious blend of active regeneration and luxurious indulgence".

Kama Ayurveda launches industry-first AI-powered Ayurveda dosha consultation

Bringing Ayurvedic beauty to the modern consumer, Kama Ayurveda partnered with AR and AI technology provider, Holition Beauty, to create an AI-powered consultation using "groundbreaking" facial scanning technology. The consultations examine both the mind and body, all from a smartphone.

L’Occitane CEO Laurent Marteau exits

L’Occitane Group confirmed the departure of its Chief Executive Officer, Laurent Marteau. Marteau joined L’Occitane Group in 2022 as Managing Director, taking on the role of CEO in January this year. His resignation reflects his desire to focus more on his personal pursuits as well as other business interests.

UpCircle launches debut TV campaign through Sky’s footprint fund

British skincare brand UpCircle launched its first-ever TV campaign, spotlighting its approach to sustainable beauty. It comes after the brand won £250,000 of media as part of the 2023 Sky Zero Footprint Fund, a £2 million initiative amplifying brands that are making a positive impact on the planet.

Dr.Idriss

TikTok viral dermatologist Dr.Idriss launches skincare line in UK

Dermatologist-led skincare brand Dr.Idriss launched in the UK last month, targeting international growth following its success in the US. Inspired by her global community of Skin Nerds, Dr. Shereene Idriss' collection of clinically proven and efficacious solutions promise to deliver "real and consistent results".

Chanel names Tod's General Manager as new President of Fragrance and Beauty

Chanel appointed Simona Cattaneo as its new President of Fragrance and Beauty, replacing Anne Kirby, who announced her intention to retire earlier this year. Effective January 2025, Cattaneo will join the luxury brand this month to start onboarding beside Kirby.

John Lewis announces 'significant' investment in beauty as it brings back 'Never Knowingly Undersold' price promise

John Lewis ramped up its investment in beauty and confirmed the return of its "Never Knowingly Undersold" price pledge, two years after abandoning it. The British retailer price matched its products in-store and online to those across 25 major retailers, reaffirming its commitment to "quality products, brilliant service and competitive prices".

Rimmel London

Everything you need to know about Rimmel London's big rebrand

Rimmel London launched its new brand positioning, marking the biggest rebrand in the company’s 190-year history. The British brand adapted its signature tagline from 'Live The London Look' to 'Live YOUR London Look', championing self-discovery and identity while attempting to move away from the stereotypical standards of beauty.

The Tape Agency launches "first-of-its-kind" platform for nano-creators

London-based, female-founded communications business
The Tape Agency launched 'The Tape Dispenser', a "first-of-its-kind" creator platform for the nano-creator community. The Tape Dispenser offers nano-creators a new subscriber platform to educate, inform and share insight on the creator journey and support them advocating for themselves.

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