LVMH has agreed to sell the Marc Jacobs brand to WHP Global. This significant acquisition marks a key moment in a week of considerable portfolio restructuring within the global beauty industry. Further reports suggest Armani may sell a 15 percent stake, with L'Oréal and LVMH among potential buyers. These moves highlight a trend of major groups reshaping their brand portfolios.
Beyond ownership changes, leadership shifts are impacting global expansion. Ouai appointed Susan Kim as its new CEO to drive international growth. Meanwhile, Victoria's Secret rejected an activist investor's bid for board representation, indicating internal governance tensions.
Financial reports show varied performance across brands. DOUGLAS Group reported second-quarter sales growth, attributing success to its omnichannel strategy. LG Household & Health Care returned to profit, boosted by its North American efforts. Henkel Consumer Brands saw first-quarter growth, partly due to the performance of its Hair Care and Not Your Mother's brands. Kenvue also reported first-quarter sales and profit increases.
International expansion continues apace. L'Oréal is expanding its Saudi Arabian operations with a new Jeddah office. Natura launched its omnichannel strategy on Mercado Libre Mexico and reopened its Seoul flagship store, AMORE YONGSAN. Amorepacific also introduced MAMONDE exclusively on Amazon Premium Beauty in the US.
Manufacturing facilities are also undergoing realignment. Shiseido will close its Taiwan plant, moving production to Japan. Henkel upgraded its Packaging Competence Center to advance sustainable packaging innovation. Evonik exceeded profit expectations, partly due to increased customer stockpiling amid Middle East tensions.
Marketing efforts are also notable, with Dove Men+Care launching a FIFA World Cup 2026 skincare campaign. ASICS introduced a beauty campaign centred on post-exercise skin. Valentino Beauty expanded its Born in Roma range with new Hair & Body Mists.
Legal disputes remain a focus, with Zara denying trademark infringement claims from Estée Lauder and Jo Malone. Estée Lauder agreed to a US$210 million settlement related to grey-market sales in China. Harper Beckham faced a trademark setback for a proposed beauty brand.
China's cosmetics trade surpassed RMB170 billion, signalling accelerated market growth. Little Soap Company received the 2026 King’s Award for Sustainability.
