SAKS GLOBAL FILES FOR BANKRUPTCY
Saks Global, the parent company of Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection after accumulating $4.7 billion in debt. This filing represents the largest in a series of luxury retail collapses, severely impacting the industry and leaving many brands owed significant sums.
RICHEMONT CONSTANT SALES UP 11% IN Q3 FY 26
Richemont reported strong Q3 2025 sales growth of 11%, driven primarily by its Jewellery Maisons. The group saw double-digit growth in the Americas, Japan, and Middle East & Africa, and maintained a robust net cash position of €7.6 billion.
ONLINE BEAUTY RETAILER LOOKFANTASTIC GREW 16% IN Q4 25
THG’s beauty division drove strong Q4 2025 growth, with revenue rising 6.4% as its online retailer Lookfantastic saw exceptional growth of over 16% in the UK and Ireland. This performance marks the company’s strongest quarter and signals a return to momentum after several challenging years.
UNILEVER VENTURES INVESTS IN TWO INDIAN BEAUTY BRANDS
Unilever Ventures has invested in two Indian beauty brands, leading a $3 million seed round for clean fragrance label Secret Alchemist and participating in a separate funding round for skin care brand SkinInspired. These moves are part of Unilever’s broader strategy to prioritize growth in the Indian beauty and wellness market.
UK BEAUTY RETAILER SUPERDRUG IS CONSIDERING AN IPO
The parent company of Superdrug and The Perfume Shop, AS Watson, is considering a dual initial public offering in Hong Kong and London. The potential listing could raise around $2 billion and would mark a significant boost for the London Stock Exchange.
EURAZEO SHUTS DOWN ITS FUND DEDICATED TO CONSUMER BRANDS
French private equity firm Eurazeo is shutting down its dedicated consumer investment arm, Eurazeo Brands. The firm will now review future consumer investments through its generalist funds as part of a broader strategic reset.
PRIME MATTER LABS ACQUIRES NEW YORK MANUFACTURER MANA PRODUCTS
Prime Matter Labs has acquired the contract manufacturer Mana Products, which had furloughed staff and halted operations in December. The acquisition provides Prime Matter Labs with entry into the color cosmetics market and expands its geographic footprint to include New York.
FRAGRANCE AND FLAVOR SUPPLIER MANE GROUP ACQUIRES BIOTECH FIRM
French fragrance and flavor supplier Mane Group has acquired Belgian biotech firm ChemoSensoryx Biosciences. The acquisition aims to strengthen Mane’s scientific research into how smells, tastes, and sensations are perceived by humans.
HAIRCARE BRAND LES SECRETS DE LOLY TO BE ACQUIRED BY QUADRIVIO GROUP
The French haircare brand Les Secrets de Loly is reportedly being acquired by the Italian investment fund Quadrivio Group in a deal valuing the company between €160 and €180 million. Founder Kelly Massol will retain a minority stake in the brand, which is expected to generate nearly €50 million in revenue for 2025.
FRENCH FRAGRANCE BRAND ADOPT OPENS A FLAGSHIP IN BARCELONA
The French fragrance retailer Adopt Parfums is expanding its presence in Spain with a new flagship store in central Barcelona. This marks the brand’s second street-front location in the country, following its initial entry into the Spanish market in late 2022.
MAKEUP BRAND ONE/SIZE LAUNCHES AT BOOTS IN THE UK & SEPHORA IN EUROPE
The makeup brand One/Size by Patrick Starrr is expanding its retail presence in Europe, launching in 200 Boots stores in the U.K. and all 880 Sephora stores across the continent. The brand, which is projecting €40 million in sales from these regions in 2026, has experienced triple-digit growth and specializes in inclusive, performance-oriented primers and setting sprays.
CHANEL LAUNCHES A MAKEUP LINE DEDICATED TO ITS ROUGE NOIR SHADE
Chanel is launching its first full makeup collection dedicated to its iconic Rouge Noir shade, expanding the deep red-black color into a range of products for eyes, lips, and nails. This collection builds on the legacy of the original Rouge Noir nail polish, which became a global sensation after its debut in 1994.
IT COSMETICS LAUNCHES A TINT FACE BALM WITH ACTRESS JENNIE GARTH
IT Cosmetics has launched a new Do It All Sheer Tint Face Balm, a hydrating, lightweight makeup product with skincare ingredients designed for women over 40 and sold exclusively at Ulta Beauty. Developed with insights from dermatologists and promoted by Jennie Garth, the balm offers a sheer, natural finish to address changing skin needs.
DEMI MOORE NAMED NEW AMBASSADOR OF KERASTASE
Actress Demi Moore has been appointed the Global Brand Ambassador for luxury haircare brand Kérastase. The partnership highlights her iconic career and evolving hairstyles as symbols of confidence and individuality, aligning with the brand’s values.
L’ORÉAL LAUNCHES ITS SUSTAINABLE INNOVATION PROGRAM
L’Oréal has selected 13 innovative companies to join its five-year, €5 million sustainable innovation program, L’Accelerator. The selected startups specialize in three key areas: sustainable packaging and materials, natural cosmetic ingredients, and circular economy solutions.
BEIERSDORF PARTNERS WITH HIPS TO RESEARCH THE SKIN MICROBIOME
Beiersdorf has entered an exclusive, long-term research partnership with the Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS) to investigate the skin microbiome. The collaboration aims to identify natural microbial products that maintain healthy skin, leveraging HIPS’s extensive genetic data to develop future skincare innovations.
AMAZON TO LAUNCH DRONE DELIVERY IN THE UK IN 2026
Amazon has begun limited test flights of its delivery drones from a base in Darlington, UK, ahead of a planned service launch later this year. The service will use MK30 drones equipped with obstacle-avoidance technology to deliver packages under five pounds within two hours to eligible customers.
