Retail Recap: The big beauty launches of December 2023
This month saw a variety of new beauty launches across the UK, from new brand launches and retail expansions, to tech and product innovation.
Here's a round-up featuring December's highlights from businesses including Boots, Givenchy and Burberry, as well as this month's feature content from TheIndustry.beauty.
Launches at UK retailers
Burberry launches first 'beauty boutique' at Selfridges
Burberry opened a new 'beauty boutique' at Selfridges London, allowing UK consumers to shop the brand's full beauty range in-person for the first time. Located in the department store's newly renovated beauty hall, the concession showcases Burberry Beauty's makeup and fragrance offer.
Bubble Skincare selects Boots as first brick-and-mortar partner in UK
US-based Bubble Skincare launched at Boots, marking the brand's bricks-and-mortar debut in the UK. The brand landed at the retailer's new beauty-only store at Battersea Power Station, with plans to launch at over 200 Boots stores from next month.
News brands
New men's beauty brand OBAYATY debuts
OBAYATY, a new hybrid skincare and colour cosmetics brand for men, launched for the first time to help "transform the way men approach and shop beauty". Founded by Pontus Frankenstein and Lajjo Strand, the brand debuted with seven multipurpose skincare and colour cosmetics products.
Tech & Innovation
Boots to launch AI ‘personal shopper’ service
Boots is planning to introduce a ChatGPT "personal shopper" service for its website users in an effort to drive online sales. The health and beauty retailer is in the early stages of testing an AI chatbot. It is expected to focus on beauty products rather than pharmacy sales, including recommendations for lipsticks and beauty gifts.
Givenchy brings beauty to virtual realm
Givenchy Beauty celebrated the festive season in the digital world with a new ‘Festive Winter Escape’ on Roblox, allowing users to glide past an ice rink before entering a chalet brimming with the luxury brand's latest beauty launches.
Rare Beauty unveils debut bodycare collection
Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez entered the bodycare category for the first time, with the launch of a new range centred around self-comfort. It marked the first venture for Rare Beauty beyond cosmetics and saw the brand introduce four bodycare products.
The first ‘Boots Beauty’ concept store gives rivals a run for their money
Boots went head-to-head with H Beauty, Sephora and Space NK with the opening of its first concept ‘Boots Beauty’ store earlier this month. Located at Battersea Power Station, the 11,200 sq ft store showcases the best of beauty at Boots.
Features
- In Review 2023: This year's big beauty launches.
- In Review 2023: Store openings, refurbs and pop-ups.
- In Review 2023: This year's big beauty appointments.
- Three trends for beauty businesses in 2024.
- The Interview: ILIA founder Sasha Plavsic on the success of her 'skin-centric' beauty brand.
- The Interview: Founder of Ava Estelle on creating a natural brand with melanin in mind.
- Lookfantastic predicts 2024 beauty trends as it reveals top brands of the year.
