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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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Douglas Group doubles net income in FY 2024/25 as omnichannel growth offsets softer consumer demand
THE WHAT? Douglas Group reported solid full-year sales growth and more than doubled net income in FY 2024/25, meeting updated guidance despite a volatile European beauty retail environment. THE DETAILS Sales rose 3.5% excluding the divested Disapo business to €4.58 billion, supported by growth across both stores and e-commerce, with online accelerating in the…
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AnyMind Group enters offline beauty retail with Sun Smile acquisition
THE WHAT? AnyMind Group has agreed to acquire Japan-based beauty and personal care distributor and brand owner Sun Smile, marking its entry into offline retail. THE DETAILS Founded in 1997, Sun Smile operates across brand development, manufacturing and nationwide retail distribution. The acquisition is AnyMind Group’s 13th overall and seventh in Japan, adding physical…
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Unilever reshapes global marketing leadership as Leandro Barreto takes expanded CMO role
THE WHAT? Unilever has appointed Leandro Barreto to an expanded role as Chief Marketing Officer, Unilever and Beauty & Wellbeing, effective 1 January 2026, as the group brings its enterprise-wide marketing agenda closer to its Business Groups. THE DETAILS Barreto, currently CMO of Unilever’s Beauty & Wellbeing Business Group, will assume responsibility for Unilever’s…
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Oriflame Secures Bondholder Consent for Recapitalisation of US$800m Notes
THE WHAT? Oriflame Investment Holding Plc has secured the required bondholder consent to amend the terms of its senior secured debt, clearing a key step in its recapitalisation process. THE DETAILS The beauty company received valid and unrevoked consents from holders representing 98.40% of its US$550 million 5.125% senior secured notes due 2026 and…
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CVC Moves to Sell FineToday After Shelved IPO
THE WHAT? CVC Capital Partners is exploring a sale of Japanese personal care company FineToday after postponing its planned Tokyo IPO. THE DETAILS FineToday delayed its listing in October after targeting a valuation of around ¥169 billion (US$1.08 billion), below earlier expectations. Sources say CVC is now seeking a valuation of over US$2 billion,…
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King Street Leads Refinancing Facility for Voyant Beauty
THE WHAT? King Street Capital Management has led a first-lien term loan facility to refinance contract manufacturer Voyant Beauty. THE DETAILS The new facility replaces Voyant Beauty’s existing term loan and repays outstanding asset-based lending, while also providing additional liquidity for general corporate purposes. The refinancing is designed to simplify the company’s balance sheet…
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Yves Rocher Partners with Nykaa for India Entry
THE WHAT? Yves Rocher has partnered with Nykaa to launch in India, entering one of the fastest-growing global beauty markets. THE DETAILS The brand will debut in June 2026 across Nykaa’s app, website and selected stores, introducing nearly 100 skincare and haircare products. The launch will focus on Yves Rocher’s dermo botanical positioning, with…