The Body Shop appoints ex-Estee Lauder retail exec to lead UK operation
The Body Shop has appointed Maddie Smith to lead its UK and Ireland business, succeeding Linda Campbell who is being promoted to Global Retail Director and will sit on the company’s board.
Firmenich signs strategic partnership agreement with Harmay in China
Fragrance and taste company Firmenich has entered into a strategic partnership with Harmay, a retail brand in China.
Loop Industries announces first European Infinite Loop Manufacturing Facility
Loop Industries has announced the selection of a site for its first European Infinite Loop manufacturing facility. Loop and Suez, who have previously announced their intention to form a joint venture, have secured exclusive rights to purchase a 130,000 m2 parcel of land in Normandy, France for €1.3 million.
Ardian buys majority stake in Biofarma
Private equity firm Ardian has snapped up a majority stake in Italy’s Biofarma from White Bridge Investments.
Remington reaffirms Manchester United partnership
Spectrum Brands Holdings and Manchester United have extended their global partnership, which will see Spectrum’s Remington brand continue as the soccer club’s Electrical Styling Partner.
Ren Clean Skincare names new CEO
Unilever-owned Ren Clean Skincare has named Michelle Brett as Chief Executive Officer, WWD reports. Brett replaces Arnaud Meysselle who has left the company to take up the role as CEO of toy company Jellycat, according to his LinkedIn profile.
L’Oréal Men Expert partners with esports brand Fnatic
London-based esports brand Fnatic has announced a partnership with L’Oréal Men Expert. As part of the deal, the duo will develop and deploy engaging and creative content as well as co-branded product activations.
Unilever responds to rumors swirling around GSK deal
Unilever has responded to rumors swirling around a potential purchase of GSK’s Consumer Healthcare unit. The UK-based FMCG giant confirmed that it has approached GSK and Pfizer about a potential acquisition of the business.
British Vogue’s All-African cover hits news stands
British Vogue’s February issue hits news stands today with a cover described as ‘momentous’. The Conde Nast-owned title is celebrating African beauty with nine models descended from the continent, pictured together and separately.
Garnier encourages sustainable consumption with One Green Step campaign
L’Oréal-owned Garnier has produced a video campaign encouraging people to adopt more sustainable lifestyles. The 2022 One Green Step campaign is aimed at removing barriers to turn their good intentions into action.
Berlin Packaging buys Gerfran SAS
Berlin Packaging has announced the acquisition of Gerfran SAS, its 18th such deal in the EMEA region since 2016. Terms of the deal were not disclosed, although it was noted that all employees and locations would be retained post-purchase.
Claire’s names new President for Europe region
Claire’s has named Richard Flint as President of Europe, where he will lead the brand’s business on the continent, focusing on growth across channels in the European market.
Bain and CVC pair up to bid for Boots
Bain Capital and CVC Capital Partners are said to be preparing a joint bid for Walgreens Boots Alliance-owned Boots, according to a report published by the Financial Times, quoting a source ‘with knowledge of the matter’.
Unilever and Estée Lauder Companies joins new Zero100 community-based education and research platform that aims to to advance zero percent carbon
Unilever and The Estee Lauder Companies have joined Zero100 – a new community-based education and research platform that aims to ‘connect, inform and inspire a new generation of leaders inventing Zero Percent Carbon, 100% Digital supply chains.’
London-based start-up Heat raises US$5 million seed funding round led by LVMH Luxury Ventures and Antler
LVMH Ventures and venture capital firm Antler have led the US$5 million seed round for London-based start-up Heat, according to WWD.com.
Beiersdorf invests in digital dermatological appointment start-up dermanostic
Beiersdorf has invested in digital dermatological appointment start-up dermanostic, via its OSCAR&PAUL Beiersdorf Venture Capital unit.
OPI teams up with Xbox in cross-industry collaboration to launch 2022 spring collection
Wella-owned nail brand OPI has teamed up with Xbox in a cross industry partnership that sees the launch of a spring 2022 collection.
Yves Rocher names new CEO
Groupe Rocher has appointed Jean-David Schwartz Chief Executive Officer of its Yves Rocher brand, according to a report published by WWD. Schwatrz replaces Guy Flament who has left the company after 26 years at the helm.
Happier Beauty to develop world’s first refillable toothpaste
British eco-friendly dental brand, Happier Beauty has received a Smart Innovate grant of £150,000 to support the development of what it claims to be the world’s first refillable toothpaste dispenser with biodegradable refill capsules.
Chanel launches clean beauty line ahead of Lunar New Year
Chanel has launched a new beauty line described as ‘a new generation of Beauty’. Dubbed No1 de Chanel, the collection spans the skin care, make-up and fragrance categories and is said to be holistic and environmentally conscious.
Unilever Eyes microbiome space with Holobiome partnership
Unilever has announced a research partnership with Holobiome aimed at discovering food ingredients that can enhance mental health and wellbeing.
Rituals gains B Corp Certification
Rituals Cosmetics has announced that it has become a certified B Corporation.
L’Oréal unveils beauty tech innovations at CES 2022; looks to innovate haircare market
L’Oréal has unveiled its latest beauty tech innovations at CES 2022, unveiling two products for both the at-home and salon hair care markets.
L’Occitane Group venture capital firm invests in digital-native French lingerie brand Lolo Paris
L’Occitane Group’s venture capital firm Obratori has invested in Lolo Paris, a French digital-native lingerie brand, according to WWD.com
Louis Vuitton appoints Youssef Marquis as Fashion Communications Director
Louis Vuitton has named Youssef Marquis as its new Fashion Communication Director.
Dua Lipa files trademark for cosmetics and fashion; set to create lifestyle brand?
Dua Lipa has filed trademarks for hundreds of merchandise, including cosmetics and clothes.
Reckitt Benckiser to sell E45 to Karo Pharma
Reckitt Benckiser has announced the planned sale of its E45 brand and related sub-brands to Karo Pharma for an implied enterprise value of £200 million.
Sisley and Air France open exclusive spa at Paris Charles de Gaulle
Air France and Sisley have cut the ribbon on a new spa located at the airline’s La Premiere Lounge in Paris’ Charles de Gaulle airport.
Dior names Kylian Mbappe as new face of Sauvage
Dior has announced the appointment of soccer star Kylian Mbappe as Global Ambassador.
Croda to sell Performance Tech and Industrial Chemicals business to Cargill for €915 million
Croda has announced that it has signed an agreement to sell the majority of its Performance Technologies and Industrial Chemicals businesses to Cargill for an enterprise value of €915 million.
Beiersdorf snaps up Chantecaille
Beiersdorf has announced that it has agreed to acquire prestige beauty brand Chantecaille. Terms of the deal were not disclosed although the US brand has been given an enterprise value of between US$590 million and US$690 million, depending on future development of the business.
Selfridges sold to Central Group for estimated £4 billion
British department store chain, Selfridges has been sold to Central Group in a deal said to be valued at £4 billion, according to a report published by Reuters quoting sources close to the matter.
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.
2021 Resistance: Finance
Cast your mind back to early 2020. Did you think COVID-19 would be ‘all over by Christmas’ or were you more inclined to dig in for the long term? Two years on, with several countries grappling with a fourth wave and Omicron surging, the doomsayers aren’t looking so ridiculous and those who decided to ‘wait it out’ rather than pivot are struggling still as restrictions persist far longer than anyone predicted and the end of the pandemic proves elusive.
2021 Resilience: Technology
With digital in continual demand, those who invested early continued to reap the rewards in 2021. However, with all the online wizardry at our disposal today, we’d do well to remember that personal connection is still important to consumers. Digital will only secure a permanent spot in shoppers’ hearts if it evolves to scratch that itch; a functional, faceless online shopping platform will take you so far, consumers expect seamless service and a personalized approach.
2021 Resilience: Retail
Retailers faced some almost insurmountable challenges in 2021 – from renewed lockdowns shuttering bricks and mortar locations to the ongoing supply chain crisis and labor shortages, it’s a wonder any survived.
2021 Resilience: Manufacturing
Supply chain disruption prompted by pandemic shutdowns has persisted throughout 2021 and only those able to think on their feet and come up with workarounds can thrive in this environment. Investment in local sourcing, safeguarding raw materials supply, local manufacturing hubs, a flexible approach to logistics and the ability to generate power on site have all been crucial for success in the past 12 months.
Beiersdorf appoints Grita Loebsack in newly-created position; President Nivea
Beiersdorf has appointed Grita Loebsack into the newly-created position of President of Nivea.
Malta becomes first EU nation to legalize Marijuana
Malta has become the first EU nation to legalize the cultivation and personal use of cannabis.
Unilever CHRO leaves to pursue career as Global Chief Executive Officer, Chanel
Unilever Chief Human Resources Officer Leena Nair has announced she is departing the company to take up a new role as Global Chief Executive Officer at Chanel.
Holland & Barrett acquires blow Ltd
Holland & Barrett has announced the acquisition of blow LTD. Terms of the deal were not disclosed but the UK’s leading at-home beauty services business will become a subsidiary business of the health and wellness retailer and all blow employees will move to the new ownership structure.
Boots to sell off Aromatherapy Associates?
Boots is rumored to be considering the sale of its Aromatherapy Associates brand, according to a report published by Sky News. The WBA-owned drugstore chain is said to be approaching potential bidders.
Vegetalement Provence raises €6 million in funding round
Universal Beauty has raised €6 million from a group of investors led by Connect pro in order to develop its Vegetalement Provence brand.
Lauder, L’Oréal among global businesses to take action on disability inclusion
The CEOs of The Estee Lauder Companies and L’Oréal are among 10 companies set to take steps on disability inclusion by releasing new commitments to action.
L’Oréal acquires skincare brand Youth to the People
L’Oréal has announced the acquisition of LA-based skincare company Youth to the People.
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