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rhode makes European retail debut at Sephora in 19 countriesASIA BEAUTY

Retail & E-Commerce

rhode makes European retail debut at Sephora in 19 countries

Previously available in Europe exclusively through rhodeskin.com, the brand founded by Hailey Rhode Bieber and acquired by e.l.f. Beauty last year will now be sold in more than 500 Sephora stores across the region, starting September 30, 2026. Following its launch at Sephora in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom in 2025, rhode is continuing to expand its physical retail presence across a number of key markets. rhode is now available for consumers to shop at Sephora in 19 new...

Frasers Group seals acquisition of UK department store chain Harvey NicholsASIA BEAUTY

Retail & E-Commerce

Frasers Group seals acquisition of UK department store chain Harvey Nichols

British retail giant Frasers Group has acquired luxury retailer Harvey Nichols for an undisclosed amount, gaining control of six UK stores, the company's online business, inventory, and international franchise network. Frasers Group announced on Thursday, August 13, that it has acquired luxury department store chain Harvey Nichols out of administration for an undisclosed sum. The deal follows the appointment of FTI Consulting as administrator in June. The transaction includes Harvey...

K- Beauty: Trends Into EssentialsASIA BEAUTY

Retail & E-Commerce

K- Beauty: Trends Into Essentials

Not so long ago, K‐Beauty felt like a niche trend. You'd hear beauty insiders talking about glass skin, innovative sheet masks and skincare ingredients that hadn't quite reached the mainstream yet. Fast forward to today and it's hard to walk through a beauty retailer, scroll social media or browse an online skincare store without seeing the influence of Korean beauty everywhere

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French consumer group flags unsafe sunscreens sold on Chinese marketplacesASIA BEAUTY

Retail & E-Commerce

French consumer group flags unsafe sunscreens sold on Chinese marketplaces

Harmful ingredients or virtually no sun protection: French consumer group Que Choisir Ensemble has raised concerns over sunscreens sold on the online marketplaces Temu, AliExpress, and Shein. The consumer advocacy group, which tested ten sunscreens recently purchased on these platforms, found that none met its safety and efficacy expectations. “The findings are alarming: nine of the ten products tested were found to be non-compliant, with most failing to deliver the sun protection they...

Retail: CK Hutchison in talks to sell Marionnaud to David KonckierASIA BEAUTY

Retail & E-Commerce

Retail: CK Hutchison in talks to sell Marionnaud to David Konckier

More than 20 years after acquiring Marionnaud, Hong Kong-based CK Hutchison, the parent company of retail group AS Watson, is exploring a sale of the European prestige beauty retailer. The prospective buyer is BEHN, an investment company founded by David Konckier, CEO and principal shareholder of France-headquartered Groupe Bogart. Hong Kong conglomerate CK Hutchison announced on Monday that it has entered into discussions over the potential sale of prestige beauty retailer Marionnaud. The...

French luxury store Galeries Lafayette shuts doors in Beijing after 13 yearsASIA BEAUTY

Retail & E-Commerce

French luxury store Galeries Lafayette shuts doors in Beijing after 13 years

Major French luxury department store Galeries Lafayette closed its first China flagship branch on Wednesday, May 27, over a decade after opening, pointing to sluggish domestic consumption and shifting spending habits. A steady stream of shoppers browsed for last-minute deals as employees packed away unsold merchandise and mannequins on the penultimate day of Galeries Lafayette operations in Beijing, which has been open for 13 years, AFP journalists saw. The six-floor emporium three...

The Body Shop reset: Retailer to unveil 2026 sustainability roadmapASIA BEAUTY

Retail & E-Commerce

The Body Shop reset: Retailer to unveil 2026 sustainability roadmap

Ethical beauty retailer The Body Shop is set to unveil a sustainability roadmap laying out actions and goals for the next 25 years as it works to reset, rebuild and future-proof following a turbulent few years. The Body Shop has faced lots of change in the last three years, shuttering hundreds of stores and changing ownership several times. The UK company was acquired out of administration in September 2024 by a consortium led by British cosmetics tycoon Mike Jatania, under UK private...

rhode builds on its Sephora partnership for its European retail expansionASIA BEAUTY

Retail & E-Commerce

rhode builds on its Sephora partnership for its European retail expansion

Following its 2025 rollout with Sephora in the U.S., Canada, and the U.K., the beauty brand founded by Hailey Rhode Bieber will be available at Sephora online and in most stores across Europe beginning this September. This expansion builds on rhode's strong performance in North America and the UK, alongside its recent $1B acquisition by e.l.f. Beauty. Launched in June 2022, rhode began with a curated lineup of efficacious skincare, expanding into hybrid makeup. “We're excited to...

Aussie sunless tanning brand Luna Bronze makes U.S. retail debut at Ulta BeautyASIA BEAUTY

Retail & E-Commerce

Aussie sunless tanning brand Luna Bronze makes U.S. retail debut at Ulta Beauty

The Australian sunless tanning brand known for its natural looking finish has inked its first major U.S. retail partnership with Ulta Beauty, marking a significant step in its global expansion. "Partnering with Ulta Beauty is an incredibly meaningful milestone for us," said Maddy Balderson, Co Founder of Luna Bronze. Founded by longtime friends and entrepreneurs Rhiannon Hall and Maddy Balderson, Luna Bronze was born from the desire to create a sunless tanning alternative that would...

Ulta Beauty continues expansion in the Middle East with first store in the UAEASIA BEAUTY

Retail & E-Commerce

Ulta Beauty continues expansion in the Middle East with first store in the UAE

The US-headquartered beauty retailer is set to make its debut in the United Arab Emirates with the opening of its store in Mall of the Emirates, Dubai, on January 29, 2026. This new milestone in Ulta Beauty's global expansion is part of the retailers' partnership with Alshaya Group in the region. The expansion builds on from the first store opening in Kuwait on November 7, 2025. Ulta Beauty is bringing to the Mall of the Emirates it full offering of makeup, skin care, hair care products and...

Sephora teams up with Olive Young to broaden its K-beauty portfolioASIA BEAUTY

Retail & E-Commerce

Sephora teams up with Olive Young to broaden its K-beauty portfolio

The world's largest beauty retailer has sealed a a strategic partnership with Korea's leading beauty and wellness retailer to expand its K-beauty portfolio around the world. Dedicated store areas The collaboration will take shape through a dedicated Korean beauty destination curated by Olive Young, spanning Sephora's digital platform and physical stores. The concept will be rolled out across North America (U.S. and Canada) and key global markets including Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand,...

LVMH sells its travel retail business (DFS) in China to CTG Duty-FreeASIA BEAUTY

Retail & E-Commerce

LVMH sells its travel retail business (DFS) in China to CTG Duty-Free

LVMH announced on Monday, January 19, the sale of its Duty Free Shops (DFS) business in China to CTG Duty-Free, a major travel retail operator based in Beijing. “Through this transaction, CTG Duty-Free will acquire the DFS retail stores in Hong Kong and Macau as well as intangible assets encompassing a series of DFS brands and intellectual properties for exclusive use in Greater China,” said the luxury group in a statement. DFS, a company specializing in the sale of luxury goods to...

Kuwait K-beauty retailer Korea Town eyes Middle East expansionASIA BEAUTY

Retail & E-Commerce

Kuwait K-beauty retailer Korea Town eyes Middle East expansion

The K-beauty retail concept owned and powered by Boutiqaat, a Kuwaiti cosmetics and fashion retailer founded in 2015. Positioned as the Middle East's largest dedicated K-beauty retailer, Korea Town offers a wide range of in-demand Korean brands across skincare, makeup, haircare, body care, and lifestyle categories, available online and in its retail stores. Korea Town benefits from Boutiqaat's advanced digital infrastructure, strong logistics capabilities, and a customer base of over five...

Retail: After a challenging year, Douglas sets its sights on the Middle EastASIA BEAUTY

Retail & E-Commerce

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 double its net income for the full year. Seeking new growth drivers, the group is turning its attention to non-European markets,...

Asian beauty retailer Sukoshi ramps up U.S. growth with plans for 40 locationsASIA BEAUTY

Retail & E-Commerce

Asian beauty retailer Sukoshi ramps up U.S. growth with plans for 40 locations

North America's leading Asian beauty retailer is accelerating U.S. growth with major openings in some of the country's most iconic shopping centers, including King of Prussia Mall in Pennsylvania, Lenox Square in Atlanta, Aventura Mall in Miami, Bellevue Square in Washington, and Garden State Plaza in New Jersey. Fresh off the September opening of its 15th store on New York City's Upper East Side on 1542 Third Ave, between 86th and 87th — the city's largest Asian beauty store to date — this...

Ulta Beauty lifts outlook after double-digit Q3 growthASIA BEAUTY

Retail & E-Commerce

Ulta Beauty lifts outlook after double-digit Q3 growth

The U.S. beauty retailer raised its full-year sales and profit forecasts after reporting double-digit growth in the third quarter of its fiscal year. “Our third quarter results exceeded our expectations, reflecting the steady progress and momentum our team is building (...). Exciting assortment newness, improved in-store and digital experiences, and bold marketing efforts are resonating with our guests and drove strong sales results, market share gains, and growth across all categories and...

Fragrance-only concept store shows big intention, say Boots execsASIA BEAUTY

Retail & E-Commerce

Fragrance-only concept store shows big intention, say Boots execs

UK retail major Boots is betting on fragrances, with its recent fragrance-only concept store in London representing an important deep dive into the category and commitment to the high street, say executives. Boots opened in October its first fragrance-only boutique store in London, UK, following more than two years of development. The store features 400+ luxury and niche scents across almost 200 square metres of retail space, offering shoppers immersive experiences, premium concierge...

U.S. Shoppers still relentless in their pursuit of Black Friday dealsASIA BEAUTY

Retail & E-Commerce

U.S. Shoppers still relentless in their pursuit of Black Friday deals

The annual "Black Friday" kickoff to the US holiday shopping season drew crowds on Friday, November 28, as millions of Americans seized on the time-tested custom at physical stores and through e-commerce. A preliminary retailer assessment of the big shopping day — which falls the day after the Thanksgiving holiday — won't be available until next week. But images from Boston, Houston and elsewhere showed the event still attracted hordes of bargain hunters, even if it has lost some luster...

A 'China moment'? Why TikTok Shop is beauty's next rare growth opportunityASIA BEAUTY

Retail & E-Commerce

A 'China moment'? Why TikTok Shop is beauty's next rare growth opportunity

Content e-commerce has seen explosive growth across China's beauty market in recent years, and as this movement builds in Europe, early adopters will reap the benefits, say experts. China is the second largest beauty market in the world behind the United States in revenue terms, according to Statistica. And it's a market with plenty going on, fuelled by increasingly engaged consumers and shaped by a significant boom in e-commerce, said Ying Sang, executive chairman of B2B trade fair China...

Ulta Beauty opens first Middle East Store in KuwaitASIA BEAUTY

Retail & E-Commerce

Ulta Beauty opens first Middle East Store in Kuwait

Following its expansion in Canada, Mexico and the U.K., through the acquisition of Space NK, the U.S. beauty is further extending its international footprint with a first Middle East Store in Kuwait. Located at The Avenues in Kuwait, the Ulta Beauty store will officially open its doors on November 7, 2025. The launch follows the company's earlier announcement of its partnership with retail franchise operator Alshaya Group. "The Kuwait store brings to life the unmatched experience our...

Digital transformation and well-being are reshaping beauty in 2025, NIQ findsASIA BEAUTY

Retail & E-Commerce

Digital transformation and well-being are reshaping beauty in 2025, NIQ finds

In a global beauty market that has grown by 10% over the past 12 months, online sales are rising nine times faster than in-store purchases, according to a recent NielsenIQ report. This trend spans all markets and reflects a broader evolution in how beauty is defined — now closely connected to well-being. In its recent State of Beauty 2025 report, NielsenIQ paints a picture of a thriving global beauty market that is simultaneously in the midst of rapid change. Asia Pacific drives global...

Zalando appoints ex-L'Oréal Thomas Schwulera as new Vice President of BeautyASIA BEAUTY

Retail & E-Commerce

Zalando appoints ex-L'Oréal Thomas Schwulera as new Vice President of Beauty

The digital platform specializing in fashion and lifestyle in Europe has appointed Thomas Schwulera as Vice President of Beauty. Mr Schwulera will lead the entire strategy for Zalando's beauty offering, which has experienced double-digit growth over the past year. Thomas Schwulera joins from L'Oréal, where over the past decade he held leadership roles across several European markets and at the global headquarters in Paris, gaining extensive experience in digital transformation, e-commerce,...

Shein's plan to open store in Paris BHV Marais kicks up a storm in FranceASIA BEAUTY

Retail & E-Commerce

Shein's plan to open store in Paris BHV Marais kicks up a storm in France

Asian e-commerce giant Shein's decision to set up shop in a historic Parisian department store has ruffled feathers in the fashion capital. Some French fashion and beauty brands expressed shocked and said they would pull their product out of the struggling outlet. Anger has been boiling since Shein announced last week that it would open its first permanent physical store in November at BHV Marais, an iconic building that has stood across from Paris City Hall since 1856. The move prompted...

US beauty retail giant Ulta snaps up UK's high street chain Space NKASIA BEAUTY

Retail & E-Commerce

US beauty retail giant Ulta snaps up UK's high street chain Space NK

U.S. cosmetics chain retailer Ulta Beauty announced on Thursday, July 10, its entry into the British market with its purchase of high street chain Space NK from Manzanita Capital. Already established in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, Ulta Beauty is making its first move in Europe with the acquisition of British retailer Space NK. The financial terms of the transaction have not been disclosed. Alongside its recent agreement with the Alshaya Group to open its first stores in the...

ChatGPT launches new shopping featuresASIA BEAUTY

Retail & E-Commerce

ChatGPT launches new shopping features

OpenAI has announced updates to the shopping experience on its generative AI platform ChatGPT, recommending products and where to buy them. Is this the future of online shopping?

How to Drive Footfall in a Retail FalloutASIA BEAUTY

Retail & E-Commerce

How to Drive Footfall in a Retail Fallout

From novel retail and e-commerce innovation to securing long-term loyalty, brands are drawing on the learnings of the past five years to inform the omnichannel tactics resonating today.

Dating app Tinder set to open free pop-up nail barASIA BEAUTY

Retail & E-Commerce

Dating app Tinder set to open free pop-up nail bar

Dating app Tinder is launching a free pop-up nail bar called Nailing Dating in October, where people can enjoy a free manicure, nail art and workshops to empower singles on their dating journeys.

The future of MLM beauty now TikTok Shop is hereASIA BEAUTY

Retail & E-Commerce

The future of MLM beauty now TikTok Shop is here

With Rodan + Fields moving from a multi-level marketing model to an affiliate programme, marketing expert Bethany Paris Ramsay explores whether MLM businesses can survive against TikTok Shop

Katie Steeden: Empowering Retail CommunitiesASIA BEAUTY

Retail & E-Commerce

Katie Steeden: Empowering Retail Communities

Explore Katie Steeden's journey from store assistant to National Store Manager at Alan Howard, showcasing expertise in wholesaler collaboration, brand growth strategies, and retail networking. Discover insights at IMF London 2024.

Investigations with Strain TypingASIA BEAUTY

Retail & E-Commerce

Investigations with Strain Typing

When investigating a microbial contamination event, personal care and cosmetic product manufacturers want to identify a root cause and remediate as quickly as possible. A quicker understanding of the contamination allows companies to recover faster, resume production, and get retail shelves filled quicker

BellaGiada launches new websiteASIA BEAUTY

Retail & E-Commerce

BellaGiada launches new website

BellaGiada, the new name in the UK for the design and supply of highly innovative and exquisite packaging solutions for leading global brands, has recently launched an impressive new website

How to land a retail deal with Cult BeautyASIA BEAUTY

Retail & E-Commerce

How to land a retail deal with Cult Beauty

Cult Beauty is home to thousands of products spanning skin care, make-up, men's and wellbeing. Here the retailer's International Buying Director, Stacia Prince, reveals the areas where she is looking to expand

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