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2025 in Review: Executive Moves – Leadership Resets Redefine Beauty’s Next Chapter
If 2025 was a year of recalibration for beauty and retail, it was also a year of churn at the top. Across global groups, prestige retailers and challenger brands alike, leadership change became a defining feature of the landscape—driven by shifting consumer demand, intensifying competition, activist pressure and the need to execute transformation faster.…
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2025 in Review: Funding the Future – Capital Flows Prioritise Scale and Resilience
If 2025 underscored one truth about the beauty and personal care industry, it was that capital still flows—albeit more selectively, more strategically and with sharper expectations. In a year marked by uneven consumer demand, geopolitical tension and higher financing costs, funding activity shifted away from indiscriminate growth and toward balance-sheet strength, portfolio focus and…
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2025 in Review: New Markets – Regional Expansion Accelerates Globally
As growth remained uneven across mature beauty markets, 2025 became a year defined by geographic ambition. Rather than doubling down solely on core territories, brands increasingly looked outward—targeting new regions, new consumers and new retail formats as global expansion once again moved to the top of strategic agendas. Asia emerged as one of the…
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2025 in Review: Manufacturers Results – Resilience Amid Uneven Global Demand
With consumer demand fragmenting across regions and price sensitivity rising in developed markets, 2025 proved to be a year of recalibration for beauty and personal care manufacturers. While growth slowed in parts of North America and Europe, resilience in fragrances, dermocosmetics, aesthetics and select emerging markets helped offset pressure in mass beauty and professional…
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2025 in Review: M&A Activity – Scale and Strategic Focus Drive Dealmaking
As consumer confidence remained uneven and organic growth proved harder to sustain, mergers and acquisitions once again took centre stage in 2025, reshaping the global beauty and personal care landscape. From blockbuster transactions and founder exits to private equity-backed roll-ups and strategic divestments, the year underscored a clear reality: scale, speed and portfolio relevance…
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2025 in Review: Dollars in Dubai – Beauty Investment Defies Global Uncertainty
As growth slowed across parts of Europe, the US and China, and capital became more selective, all eyes once again turned to the Middle East—and Dubai in particular—as beauty’s most dynamic convergence point for investment, expansion and ambition. In 2025, the emirate cemented its position not just as a regional hub, but as a…
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2025 in Review: Jobs & People – Workforce Resets Gather Pace Amid Market Uncertainty
With growth slowing in key markets, costs rising and confidence uneven, 2025 became a defining year for people, power and priorities across the global beauty and retail industry. From boardrooms to shop floors, companies restructured, recalibrated and, in many cases, reduced headcount—while selectively investing in talent deemed critical to future growth. In the US…
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2025 in Review: Tech & Digital – AI Reshapes Beauty Amid Rising Risk and Regulation
If 2025 marked a turning point for beauty, it was not defined by experimentation—but by execution. Artificial intelligence, immersive commerce and automation moved decisively from pilot projects to core infrastructure, reshaping how brands innovate, market, sell and operate. At the same time, rising regulatory scrutiny and cybersecurity risks underscored the growing costs and complexities…
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2025 in Review: See You in Court – Litigation Intensifies Amid Heightened Scrutiny
If 2025 showed where pressure is building fastest in beauty and personal care, it was not only in regulation or trade—but in the courtroom. Across jurisdictions, litigation surged as regulators, competitors, consumers and investors increasingly turned to legal action to resolve disputes over data, safety, marketing claims and market power. For the industry, the…
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Retail: After a challenging year, Douglas sets its sights on the Middle East
Europe’s number one premium beauty retailer closed financial year 2024/25 with sales up +2.8%, in line with previsions. After a strong first quarter, consumer sentiment weakened in early 2025, particularly in Germany and France, before improving in the third quarter and e-commerce gained momentum in the July-September period. Lower debt helped Douglas more than…