
Chilean duty free contract opened to tender
Chile’s Ministry of Defence has invited interested parties to submit bids for its duty free stores at Santiago Arturo Merino Benitez Airport, according to a report published by the Moodie Davitt Report. The contract, which is managed and overseen by the government, is currently held by Dufry.

Brazil’s antitrust authority greenlights L’Oréal’s Aesop deal
Brazil’s competition watchdog has given L’Oréal the go-ahead to proceed with its acquisition of Aesop, according to a report published by Reuters.

Fable Investments ups stake in Perfumer H
Natura &Co may have agreed to sell its thriving fragrance brand, Aesop but it’s not closing the door on the category entirely; Fable Investments, the company’s venture capital fund, has upped its stake in Perfumer H, according to a report published by WWD. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Natura &Co Q1 2023: sales inch up 3.4 percent in CC; profit margin improves
Natura &Co has announced its results for the first quarter of fiscal 2023. In the three months ended March 31, 2023, the Brazilian beauty firm posted net revenue of BRL8 billion, a rise of 3.4 percent in constant currency (-2.8 percent in BRL). Gross margin was 67.7 percent, up 370 bps versus the prior-year period.

The wait is over: L’Oréal acquires Aesop
L’Oréal has announced that it has signed an agreement to acquire Aesop from Natura &Co. The proposed transaction values the Australian bath and body brand at an enterprise value of US$2.525 billion.

Natura &Co looks to cut executive pay by 32 percent as it aims to restore investor trust
Natura &Co is looking to cut executive pay by 32 percent as part of a company overhaul that aims to increase investor trust, according to Bloomberg.

Beleza C&A teams up with Chupa Chups to launch new range of bath and body products
The beauty division of C&A Brazil, Beleza C&A, has teamed up with Perfetti Van Melle. candy lifestyle brand Chupa Chups to launch a new range of bath and body products, according to a report by License Global.

We’re still exploring our options: Natura &Co remains coy as beauty bids for Aesop
Natura &Co is said to have received multiple non-binding offers for its popular Aesop brand, according to a report published by Reuters. The Brazilian behemoth emphasized that it was still reviewing various options for the luxury fragrance brand.

Natura &CO cites ‘resilient performance’ in Q4, sees net revenues down 11 percent
Natura &Co has reported a Q4 net loss of 890.4 million reais (US$169.7 million), with lower revenues reported across all business sectors.

Humane Society International welcomes Brazil’s animal testing ban
The Humane Society International has praised regulators for South America’s largest beauty market for ushering in a partial ban on animal testing for cosmetics. Brazil’s National Council for the Control of Animal Experimentation has outlawed animal testing for beauty ingredients with ‘known effects’ and provided for alternative testing methods for ‘unknown ingredients’.

Japanese investment firm Mitsui & Co invests in Kao’s Brazilian subsidiary
Japanese investment firm Mitsui & Co is set to invest in Kao’s Brazilian subsidiary, with a view to expand the skincare business in the country.

Univar acquires ChemSol; expands presence in Central America
Univar Solutions has announced the acquisition of ChemSol Group. The ingredients and specialty distributor operates in Costa Rica, Guatemala, El Salvador, Panama and Honduras.

Unilever to invest US$400 million in Mexico
Unilever is planning to build a new plant in Mexico’s Nuevo Leon region, according to a report published by Reuters. The manufacturer of Dove is planning to invest some US$400 million in the Latin American country over the next three years.

L’Oréal, LVMH and Shiseido vie for stake in Aesop
LVMH, Shiseido and L’Oréal are all hoping to secure a stake in Aesop if Natura &Co decides to sell a slice, according to a report published by Bloomberg. The Australian luxury bath and fragrance brand is valued at an impressive US$2 billion.

Natura &Co CEO: we want purpose and profitability
Natura &Co’s CEO, Fabio Barbosa has announced that the company will be restructuring and revaluating its business model following a disappointing set of results, with revenues down 9 percent in the most recent quarter, according to a report published by The Financial Times.

Unilever factories in China and Brazil awarded Lighthouse status
Two of Unilever’s production facilities have been awarded Lighthouse statues by the World Economic Forum. The award recognises the factories’ use of technology to enhance productivity and efficiency as well as their environmental credentials.

Tech in 2022 – can’t touch this
What were we expecting of technology in 2022? Well, after the dominance of internet shopping over the prior two years, more of the same, with bells on. All bets were on livestreaming, already a dominant trend in China, booming in the west.

Retail in 2022 – shopping around
After the ravages of 2020 and 2021, retailers could have been forgiven for hoping for a smoother ride at the start of 2022. Pandemic restrictions were lifted, IRL shopping was back and even travel was resuming. So far, so hopeful.

Regulation in 2022 – clampdown
Cruelty free cosmetics and product safety have long been the dominant regulatory issues faced by the cosmetics industry but, in 2022, we saw lawmakers turn greater attention to greenwashing and the environmental impact of the products on offer too.

Products in 2022 – cashing in
In our humble opinion, 2022 wasn’t a year of huge innovation. Launches were subdued compared to pre-pandemic but if there was one prevailing trend among the launches of the year it was celebrity, celebrity and a bit more celebrity.

Packaging in 2022 – we need to talk about plastic
If there was one issue and one issue only that dominated packaging stories this year, it was sustainability. Packaging suppliers are working on reducing their impact on the environment.

Marketing in 2022 – all aboard the bandwagon
If there was one thing that defined marketing practices in both halves of 2022, it was not just jumping but positively leaping on the marketing bandwagon of the day.

Manufacturing in 2022 – grinding to a halt
At the start of the year, manufacturers were gearing up for growth. With the end of Covid restrictions in the west and omicron receding, it was back to business.

Ingredients in 2022 – the price is right
The supply chain disruption caused by the pandemic showed no signs of abating in early 2022. If anything, it got worse as inflation rose, leading to price rises across the board.

Finance in 2022 – inflation, inflation, inflation
Whether as a result of the pandemic, supply shortages or price gouging, inflation started rising worldwide in mid 2021 and was only exacerbated at the start of 2022 as Russia invaded Ukraine, sending fuel prices soaring.

Environment in 2022 – promises, promises
In the first six months of the year, we saw more and more targets set: Douglas published its global ESG goals, China’s Yatsen published its first ESG report and Christian Dior unveiled its eco strategy, while existing sustainability agendas were expanded or extended

Natura &Co works with Bank of America Corp and Morgan Stanley to sell stake in Aesop
Natura &Co is said to be working with the Bank of America Corp and Morgan Stanley in order to sell a stake in the Aesop brand, according to a report by Bloomberg.

Natura &Co Q3 2022: sales inch up 2.2 percent, EBITDA stable
Natura &Co has reported its results for the third quarter of fiscal 2022. The Brazilian cosmetics conglomerate saw revenue rise 2.2 percent yoy to R$9 billion in constant currency and stable adjusted EBITDA margin at 8.6 percent.

Avon to move R&D operations to Brazil and Poland
Natura &Co-owned Avon has announced that it will be establishing new Research and Development operations in Brazil and Poland, two of its largest markets, and closing its existing New York-based facility.

Grupo Boticário acquires men’s beauty brand Dr. Jones
Grupo Boticário has acquired Brazilian male beauty brand Dr. Jones for an undisclosed sum.

Now Natura &Co IS considering spin off of Aesop
Natura &Co may have rubbished rumors that it was mulling a sale or spin-off of select brands in its portfolio just weeks ago but now the Brazilian beauty behemoth is considering a possible IPO or spin-off of its successful Aesop brand.

Natura &Co: We have no plans to sell The Body Shop
Natura &Co has quashed rumors that it is considering the sale of The Body Shop or the spin off of its Aesop brand, according to a report published by Reuters.

Brazil wants research partners, da Silva tells EU
Brazil presidential hopeful, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is appealing to the European Union in a bid to find research partners in order to develop the Amazon region without damaging the ecosystem, according to a report published by Reuters.

Selling up shop? Natura &Co mulls future of The Body Shop
Natura &Co is rumored to be considering a sale of The Body Shop, according to a report published by This Is Money.

Natura &Co to expand presence in China in 2023
Fresh from the news that Aesop and The Body Shop are gearing up to open their first bricks and mortar locations in China later this year, Natura &Co has announced that the openings are part of a wider growth strategy, according to a report published by Nasdaq.

Natura &Co Q2 2022: sales stabilize as Natura and Aesop thrive
Natura &Co has reported its results for the second quarter of the current financial year. The Brazilian owner of The Body Shop saw sales rise 0.4 percent in constant currency to R$8.7 billion. Adjusted EBITDA margin was 8 percent (down 50bps).

Puig ups investment in Colombia’s Loto del Sur
Puig has announced that it has increased its investment in Colombian natural cosmetics brand, Loto del Sur.

Avon launches e-commerce platform for Mexican market
Natura &Co’s Avon has debuted an e-commerce platform for shoppers in Mexico, according to a report published by Retail & Leisure International.

Specialty chemicals provider Azelis expands foothold into South America with ROCSA acquisition
Specialty chemicals provider Azelis has expanded its foothold into the South American market with the purchase of ROCSA Colombia S.A., a specialty chemical distributor active in both life sciences and industrial chemical markets.

Natura &Co announces reorganization as Roberto Marques steps down
Natura &Co has announced a group reorganization whereby the company will transition to a simpler holding company structure.

Grupo Boticário to open an innovation hub in Portugal to search for tech talent
Grupo Boticário is to open an innovation hub in Portugal in a bid to search for technology talent, according to a report by Forbes.

L’Oréal Paris unlocks articles relating to sexual harassment to readers in Brazil
L’Oréal Paris has unlocked articles on sexual harassment to millions of readers in Brazil in a bid to help combat harassment in public spaces, according to a report by The Drum.

P&G Lima Plant gets US$400,000 rail grant
Procter & Gamble’s Lima plant has been awarded a US$400,000 grant by the Ohio Rail Development Commission, according to a report published by LimaOhio.com.

Natura &Co Q1 2022: revenue dips 4.6 percent as inflation bites
Natura &Co has reported its results for the first quarter of fiscal 2022. The Brazilian owner of Aesop and The Body Shop saw revenue drop 4.6 percent in constant currency top R$8.3 billion.

Dow completes mapping stage of Project Yba
Dow has announced that it has completed the mapping stage of Project Yba Conservation that Transforms, a critical milestone towards full implementation of the project.

Natura &Co named one of world’s most ethical companies
Natura &Co has been recognised as one of the world’s most ethical companies by the Ethisphere Institute. L’Oréal, Kao, Colgate Palmolive and Firmenich also made the 2022 list.

Cresco Labs set to acquire Columbia Care Inc to become the top US cannabis producer
Cresco Labs is set to become the biggest cannabis producer in the US with the acquisition of rival Columbia Care Inc in a US$2 billion deal – one of the biggest in the industry, according to Reuters.

Natura &Co presses pause on NYSE stock listing move amid market mahem
Natura &Co has decided against a move for its primary stock market listing from Brazil to the US, according to a report published by Bloomberg, amid market volatility due to impending interest rate rises and the war in Ukraine.

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

Natura &Co Q4 2021: income more than triples, despite sales dip
Natura &Co has reported its results for the final quarter of fiscal 2021. The Brazilian owner of The Body Shop, Aesop and Avon saw net income more than triple, hitting R$1 billion for the full year, and posted an EBITDA margin gain of 90 basis points in the last three months of the financial year.
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