This week’s industry wrap-up reveals a sector in flux, with major players like P&G reporting stable sales despite restructuring charges, while Amway India saw FY25 losses widen on declining sales. Reliance Consumer’s acquisition of global rights to Brylcreem, Toni & Guy, Badedas, and Matey signals consolidation and brand portfolio shifts.
Retailers are expanding aggressively. Amazon plans its largest US store yet, and mass beauty brand essence is now available in over 500 Walmart locations. In the prestige segment, Sulwhasoo enters the UK via Cult Beauty, and Sephora partners with Olive Young to boost K-beauty’s global reach.
However, this expansion comes alongside significant restructuring. AS Beauty confirmed the closure of Mally Beauty and CoverFX. DOUGLAS reported modest Q1 sales growth amid slower December trading, and a binding bid for FineToday was submitted by Bain, indicating potential ownership changes and strategic realignments.
Investment continues to flow into beauty tech and marketing. Blackstone backed Applecart with US$100 million at a US$700 million valuation, and Statusphere raised US$18 million for micro-influencer marketing. L’Oréal’s US$383 million investment in a Hyderabad beauty tech hub highlights a commitment to innovation and advanced manufacturing.
Legal and leadership changes are also evident. Estée Lauder faces a lawsuit from a beauty tech startup alleging trade secret theft. Tatcha appointed Diane Kim as its new CEO, and Maybelline New York named Teens in Times as global partners. These events underscore the complexities of innovation and corporate governance in a rapidly evolving market.
