Egyptian Company for Cosmetics (ECC) acquires beauty e-commerce platform Source Beauty
Local Egyptian company Egyptian Company for Cosmetics (ECC) has acquired beauty e-commerce platform Source Beauty, according to a report by Disrupt Africa.
Sunlight partners with Bboxx to expand clean energy reach in Kenya
Unilever-owned Sunlight has partnered with energy services platform Bboxx in a bit to up the availability of clean energy in Kenya, bringing green power to some one million people over the next three years, according to a report published by Edie.
Estée Lauder Companies opens tender for management of advertising media EMEA region
The Estée Lauder Companies has opened tender for the management of advertising media in the EMEA region.
Israeli start-up to debut beauty brand based on avocado PFA
AvoMed has developed a range of upcycled cosmetics that it claims can improve sun damaged skin, according to a report published by Israel Hayon. The key ingredient is bioactive polyhydroxylated fatty alcohols (PFA), extracted from avocado pits discarded by the food industry using a patented method that renders the resulting compound safe for use in cosmetics.
Kaya raises US$2.6 million in seed round
Beauty e-commerce platform, Kaya has raised some US$2.6 million in a seed round led by Revival Lab, according to a report published by Arab News.
Procter & Gamble South Africa launches Forests for Good initiative in partnership with Pick N Pay
Procter & Gamble South Africa has teamed up with Pick N Pay to launch the new initiative Forests for Good.
Nigeria’s cosmetic market grows 14.5 percent to reach N1 trillion turnover
Nigerian beauty sales hit a value of N1.034 trillion in 2021, up 14.5 percent on the prior-year period, according to data compiled by Euromonitor and reported by The Guardian.
Oman bans import of cosmetics and personal care products containing Butylphenyl Methylpropional
Oman has banned the import of cosmetics and personal care products that contain the ingredient Butylphenyl Methylpropional.
L’Oréal Professional Paris launches range for kinky and natural hair to the Nigerian market; Curl Expression
L’Oréal Professional Paris has launched a new range into the Nigerian market, aimed at kinky and natural hair, named Curl Expression.
Hermes cuts ribbon on dedicated beauty boutique in Saudi Arabia
Hermes has opened its first beauty boutique in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, according to a report published by Harpers Bazaar.
Beiersdorf reports ‘impactful progress’ of shea supply chain smallholder projects in West Africa
Beiersdorf has reported ‘impactful progress’ for projects that are currently underway in the West African countries of Burkina Faso and Ghana to empower women in the shea supply chain.
BASF opens first Baby Care Competence Center in Turkey
BASF’s Care Creations unit opened its inaugural Baby Care Competence Center in Turkey in June. Integrated into the ingredients supplier’s Innovation Center Turkey, the center will develop effective solutions with special ingredients for a wide range of baby care products.
Nigerian FDA bans Placentyne Hair Lotion
Nigeria’s National Agency for Food and Drug Administration has banned an Italian hair care product after receiving safety information from the European Rapid Alert System for dangerous non-food products, according to a report published by The Guardian.
Unilever partners with Egyptian retail tech company Cartona
Unilever has partnered with Egyptian retail tech company Cartona in order to add more offerings to its base of base of retailers, suppliers and distributors.
L’Oréal launches signature brand’s anti-aging range onto Kenyan market
L’Oréal Paris has launched its Revitalift Filler range onto the Kenyan market as demand for anti-aging products grows, according to a report published by Tuko.
Israel and UAE sign fair trade agreement
Israel and the United Arab Emirates have signed a landmark fair trade agreement, according to a report published by Reuters. The deal is Israel’s first with an Arab country.
Israel to relax import rules
Israel is set to lift certain controls placed on imports in a bid to cut prices, according to a report published by Reuters quoting a government official.
Granot Cooperative invests NIS10 million in BarAlgae
A purchasing organization for Israel’s Kibbutz movement, Granot Cooperative has made its first investment in an algae cultivation company, according to a report published by Horti Daily.
Jumia announces Q1 2022 results; reports double digit growth in orders, GMV and revenue
African e-commerce company Jumia has reported Q1 2022 double digit growth in orders, gross merchandise value (GMV) and revenue.
Morocco has great potential as market for Bulgarian exports, says Minister
Bulgaria’s Deputy Minister of the Economy and Industry, Dimitar Danchev has outlined plans to develop trade between his country and Morocco, according to a report published by the Sahara News.
Rihanna launches Fenty Beauty and Fenty Skin into Africa
Singer and Actress Rihanna is set to launch her Fenty Beauty and Fenty Skin lines into the African market at the end of this month.
Procter & Gamble announces new DEI commitments and shares actions to strengthen equality & inclusion across Asia Pacific, the Middle East and Africa
Procter & Gamble (P&G) has announced new commitments aimed toward advancing Equality & Inclusion across Asia Pacific, the Middle East, and Africa, at its fourth annual #WeSeeEqual summit for the region.
Shiseido collaborates with Emirati Designer Yasmin Al Mulla
Shiseido Middle East has entered into a long-term strategic partnership with Emirati Designer Yasmin Al Mulla, which aims to bolster the position of Shiseido’s premium skincare collection, Future Solution LX, according to About Her.
L’Oréal names Kate Actress as face of Nice and Lovely
Catherine Kamau Karanja, aka Kate Actress, has been announced as the new brand ambassador for Nice and Lovely Body Lotion, according to a report published by Nairobi Wire.
Estee Lauder celebrates women in Ramadan campaign staring Saudi ballerina Samira Al-Khamis
Estee Lauder is celebrating women during women with its new campaign named Reach for the Stars, which features three prominent Arab women, according to Arab News.
L’Oréal South Africa issues voluntary recall of Dark & Lovely relaxer
L’Oréal has informed South Africa’s National Consumer Commission of a voluntary recall of its Dark and Lovely Precise Diamond Straight and Shine relaxer, according to a report published by News 24.
Ugandan beauty brands prepare for DRC sales boost after EAC membership confirmed
Ugandan beauty brands are gearing up for increased sales to the Democratic Republic of Congo after the country joined the East African Community (EAC), according to a report published by The East African.
L’Oréal Paris collaborates with Dubai Duty Free Group to launch pop-up promoting Midnight Serum launch
L’Oréal Paris has collaborated with the Dubai Duty Free Group (DDF) on a pop-up store, open during March, to promote the new launch of the Age Perfect Cell Renew Midnight Serum.
Israel and the United Arab Emirates sign first free-trade agreement between Jewish and Arab state in the middle east
Israel and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have signed the first free-trade agreement (FTA) between the Jewish and an Arab state in the middle east, according to The Jerusalem Post.
Russian shoppers look East after Western brand exodus
Brands from China, India, Iran and Turkey could soon enjoy a new found popularity among Russian consumers, according to a report published by Reuters, after a number of Western brands withdrew from the market.
Tanzania bans three cosmetics ingredients
Tanzania’s cosmetics regulator has ushered in a ban on the use of pyrithione zinc, butylphenyl methylpropional and sodium hydroxymethylglycinate in cosmetics, effective March 1, 2022, according to a report published by All Africa.
Folake Ogundipe named Executive Director of Unilever Nigeria
Unilever Nigera has named Folake Ogundipe as Executive Director, effective 1st April, 2022.
MAC launches first 3D experience in Riyadh
The Estee Lauder Companies-owned MAC Cosmetics has launched what it is describing as a ‘world-first’ 3D experience in Riyadh, according to a report published by About Her.
South African regulator shuts down Lifebuoy’s claim to protect against infections
South Africa’s Advertising Regulatory Board has ruled that Unilever-owned Lifebuoy crossed the line when describing its soap as capable of protecting against infections, according to a report published by Business Insider South Africa.
Kao, L’Oréal and Natura &Co are named on World’s Most Ethical Companies list 
Kao, L’Oréal and Natura &Co are just some of the cosmetics companies named on the 2022 World’s Most Ethical Companies Honoree List
Dior names Aseel Omran as first ambassador in Middle East
LVMH-owned Dior has named Aseel Omran as its first Brand Ambassador for the Middle East. The Saudi Arabian singer and actress posted the news on her Instagram account.
Qatar-based Zulal Wellness Resort to become Middle East’s largest wellness resort
The Middle East’s largest wellness resort is set to open in Qatar on 29th March, which will give a modern showcase of traditional Arabic and Islamic medicine (TAIM).
L’Occitane unveils new spa at Sofitel Dubai The Palm
L’Occitane has unveiled the new Sofitel SPA with L’Occitane at the Sofitel Dubai The Palm, joining forces to deliver a wellness concept at the resort.
Huda Kattan branches out into wellness as investment arm backs supplement brand
Huda Beauty owner Huda Kattan is set to debut a new wellness brand via her venture capital firm, HB Investments, according to a report published by Arab News.
Egypt’s Macro Group Pharmaceuticals covered US$83 million retail portion of IPO
Egypt’s Macro Group Pharmaceuticals has covered a US$83 million retail portion of an initial public offering (IPO) by 102 times at its close this week, according to a report by Reuters.
Watsons expands into Middle East with new GCC stores
Watsons has made its first entry into Qatar at Doha Festival City. The AS Watson-owned retailer has opened a series of stores across the GCC, including locations in Dubai Mall, Dubai Festival City, Mall of the Emirates and Al Wahda Mall in UAE, and Mall of Dhahra in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Oriflame bolsters African presence; commences operations in Ghana
Oriflame has bolstered its presence in the African market, having commenced operations in Ghana, according to the Ghanaian Times.
Qatar Duty Free hosts travel retail launch of Moncler’s first fragrance line
Qatar Duty Free has been singled out for the worldwide travel retail launch of Moncler’s first fragrance line, according to a report published by The Peninsula Qatar.
Unilever Nigeria on course to deliver first profit in three years
Unilever Nigeria has turned a profit for the second consecutive quarter and is on course to close fiscal 2021 in the black, according to a report published by The Cable.
2021 Resilience: Finance
If ever there was a test designed to sort the wheat from the chaff, it was 2020. Some emerged from the pandemic’s salient year bigger and better (looking at you Amazon, LVMH), others, not so much. Indeed, 2021’s results provided an instant litmus test into the health of a given company after 2020 had done its worst. From Q1, we could see those who were bouncing back bigger and better and, in contrast, those who were still struggling.
2021 Resistance: Environment
While most companies pay at least lip service to sustainability, even as planet-friendly has become essential for CPG success, there are those continuing to resist – and that resistance comes in one of two forms: either everything goes suspiciously quiet or, worse, companies shout loudly but their claims don’t stand up to scrutiny.
2021 Resistance: Technology
Pre-pandemic, North America’s digital channel was under developed, especially compared to China and, in some cases, not much has changed. While some have adopted a more sophisticated approach to digital engagement, others have continued to dictate, not engage. This dogged determination to market at, not converse with, their audience won’t wash for long and shoppers have started to scroll on by.
2021 Resistance: Retail
As the COVID-19 pandemic categorically failed to be ‘all over by Christmas’ and rolled on and on into 2021, one thing became clear; those retailers who had hoped to ‘ride it out’ had some catching up to do….
2021 Resistance: Manufacturing
The pandemic killed the global supply chain as we knew it and several suppliers, manufacturers and retailers have struggled to come to terms with that in 2021. The result? Empty shelves, rising inflation and a stark choice between passing on the rising costs to consumers or taking a hit on margin to come.
2021 Resilience: Environment
Throughout 2020, there was much talk of ‘building back better’ and we expected our post-pandemic world to be a green, eco-friendly utopia. However, as 2021 bought renewed lockdowns and restrictions, has our ‘happy ever after’ transpired? Certainly, sustainable beauty is evolving, new targets have been set and we are asking more. We want products with soul and that comes hand in hand with planet-friendly.
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