Last week in beauty, Galderma continues to grow double digit while Interparfums’ sales are driven by its US based operations.
GALDERMA H1 26 SALES UP 24.6% REACHING A RECORD $3.13BN
Galderma reported record first-half 2026 net sales of $3.13 billion, up 24.6% year-on-year at constant currency, driven by double-digit growth across all segments with therapeutic dermatology doubling to $848 million. The company raised its full-year sales growth guidance to 19-21% (from 17-20%) and expects EBITDA margin around 26%, after core net profit surged 66% to $547 million, beating consensus estimates.
INTERPARFUMS INC. Q2 26 SALES RISE 2% TO $341M
Interparfums Inc. reported second-quarter sales of $341 million, up 2% year-on-year at current rate, with H1 sales also rising 2% to $686 million, driven by an 18% increase in US-based operations while European sales declined 4%.
GIVAUDAN SALES UP 3.6% IN H1 26 BUT PROFIT DOWN 19.6%
Givaudan reported first-half net profit of CHF 475 million, down 19.8% year-on-year, below analyst expectations due to CHF 103 million in non-recurring costs and a strong Swiss franc, despite sales growth of 3.6% at constant currency. The fragrance and beauty division continued its momentum with 6.5% growth, while the taste and wellbeing segment recovered more slowly.
AS WATSON REPORTEDLY DELAYS LONDON IPO TO 2027
AS Watson, the owner of Superdrug and Watsons, is reportedly considering delaying its planned dual listing in London and Hong Kong until 2027 due to regulatory complexities in Asia, having targeted an autumn 2026 IPO expected to raise approximately £1.5 billion at a £22.5 billion valuation. The postponement would push back one of Europe’s largest anticipated retail IPOs and extends uncertainty around the future ownership of the health and beauty retail group.
PUIG INCREASES ITS STAKE IN CHARLOTTE TILBURY TO 85%
Puig has increased its stake in Charlotte Tilbury to 85% after acquiring an additional share package worth €350 million, following the collapse of merger talks with Estée Lauder. The Catalan group aims to reach 100% ownership by 2031, delaying its timeline by six years compared to initial forecasts.
INDIA-UK TRADE AGREEMENT OPENS COSMETICS OPPORTUNITIES
The India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) has come into force, with nearly 99% of Indian exports to the UK receiving zero-duty access and tariffs on British cosmetics and other consumer products in India expected to fall over time. The agreement is expected to strengthen bilateral investment and simplify cross-border trade, creating new opportunities for the beauty and personal care sector in both markets.
AMOREPACIFIC RESHUFFLES ASSETS TO FOCUS ON GLOBAL GROWTH
Amorepacific is selling regional offices, logistics centers and its Anseong manufacturing plant to generate approximately KRW150 billion and consolidate production at its Osan facility, as it redirects resources toward international expansion in the US, Japan and Europe. The restructuring supports the company’s Vision 2035 strategy to generate 70% of revenue overseas and become a top-three global premium skin care company.
MODELLA CAPITAL IS CONSIDERING A BID ON HARVEY NICHOLS
Retail investment firm Modella Capital is reportedly considering a bid for luxury department store Harvey Nichols, joining other interested parties including Next and Frasers Group. The retailer, owned by billionaire Sir Dickson Poon, has appointed advisers to oversee the sale following five consecutive years of losses, including a pre-tax loss of £34 million in its latest financial year.
SYMRISE TO ACQUIRE INGREDIENTS COMPANY FLORAL CONCEPT
Symrise has signed a purchase agreement to acquire 100% of Floral Concept, a French company specializing in premium natural ingredients for perfumery, to strengthen its fragrance division. The acquisition will combine Floral Concept’s sourcing and extraction expertise with Symrise’s subsidiary Lautier 1795 to create a powerful natural ingredients ecosystem.
MERIT RECEIVES INVESTMENT FROM SEMCAP BEAUTY & WELLNESS
Minimalist beauty brand Merit has secured a minority investment from SEMCAP’s Beauty & Wellness vertical, led by former Unilever Prestige CEO Vasiliki Petrou, to fuel its growth and globalization. Petrou, who founded Unilever Prestige and led acquisitions including Dermalogica and Paula’s Choice, will join Merit’s Board of Directors.
SUPERDRUG LAUNCHES CHILDREN’S BEAUTY COLLECTION
Superdrug has partnered with eight-year-old Valencia Fury, daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury, to launch a children’s beauty and accessories collection under the Fantasy Cosmetics brand. The collection includes lip balms, hair accessories and jewellery priced between £1 and £3, reflecting the growing influence of celebrity families in the children’s beauty market.
GS GLOBAL ENTERS BEAUTY DISTRIBUTION WITH JAPAN EXPANSION
Korean conglomerate GS Global has entered the beauty distribution sector by launching three South Korean cosmetics brands Jejuindi, Talitha Koum and Pretty Actually through Japanese retailer Cosme Kitchen, marking the commercial debut of its global beauty distribution business. The company will manage the full commercial process from brand selection to sales data analysis, with plans to expand the model into Europe, the Middle East and Indonesia.
CALIFORNIA TIGHTENS CHEMICAL RULES ON NAIL AND CLEANING PRODUCTS
California’s DTSC has designated nail products containing more than 250 ppm of triphenyl phosphate (TPhP) as a priority product effective October 1, requiring manufacturers to notify the agency and conduct alternatives analysis, while also proposing a ban on cleaning products containing hydrofluoric acid. The measures reinforce the state’s stringent chemical safety approach and are expected to drive reformulation across the nail care and household cleaning sectors.
YOUTUBE EXPANDS SHOPPING AFFILIATE PROGRAMME TO UK
YouTube has launched its Shopping Affiliate Programme in the UK, allowing creators to earn commission by promoting products from retailers including Boots, Marks & Spencer and Next. The move comes as UK watch time for shopping-related content grew 50% in 2025, offering beauty brands new opportunities for creator-led product discovery.
SEPHORA OPENS FIRST UK SMALL FORMAT STORE ON CARNABY STREET
Sephora UK has opened its debut small format store on London’s Carnaby Street, a concept designed for quicker visits with curated product edits and expert advice, developed in response to customer feedback. A second boutique is set to open at Old Spitalfields Market on July 30, as Sephora continues to complement its large-format store rollout with this more agile retail format.
OH MY CREAM OPENS NEW FLAGSHIP IN PARIS 6TH DISTRICT
Oh My Cream has opened a 2,690-square-foot, three-story wellness flagship on Paris’s Left Bank featuring a Glow Bar, infrared sauna, cold plunges, treatment rooms, and activewear, embodying the brand’s conviction that wellness is the future of beauty. The location serves as an innovation lab as the retailer, which has 40 stores in France and annual sales nearing €50 million, plans international expansion into Spain and Italy.
SEPHORA REVEALS 2026 ACCELERATE COHORT
Sephora North America has selected 12 emerging beauty brands for its 2026 Accelerate program, now in its tenth year, designed to help founders navigate growth in prestige beauty through mentorship, merchandising support and investor connections. The cohort includes brands such as Forta Cosmetics co-founded by WNBA pro Lexie Hull, scalp-first hair care brand BASE-K, skin-first makeup brand MOWE Beauty, fine fragrance house Reference, and clinical-grade hair longevity brand Manuscript.
ARMANI BEAUTY NAMED OFFICIAL SPONSOR OF VENICE FILM FESTIVAL
Armani Beauty has been named the official beauty sponsor of the 83rd Venice International Film Festival, providing makeup services and spotlighting its new Dolci Makeup Blush, Vertigo Drama Mascara and Prisma Flash lip balm at the September event. The brand will also reveal a new fragrance and present the Audience Award – Armani Beauty, Venezia Spotlight.
ARMANI BEAUTY NAMES EILEEN GU GLOBAL MAKE-UP AMBASSADOR
Olympic freeskier Eileen Gu has been appointed Armani Beauty’s newest global make-up ambassador, joining a roster that includes Cate Blanchett and Sydney Sweeney, and will front campaigns for Lip Maestro and Armani Dolci Makeup Blush. The appointment leverages Gu’s crossover appeal across sport, fashion and key markets including China and the US.
RARE BEAUTY NAMES ELLA BRIGHT AS FIRST BRAND AMBASSADOR
Selena Gomez’s Rare Beauty has appointed actress Ella Bright, star of Amazon Prime’s “Off Campus,” as its first-ever brand ambassador, fronting the “Made You Blush” campaign for its bestselling Soft Pinch Liquid Blush. The campaign has already gained significant social media traction, with videos featuring Bright garnering over one million likes on Instagram.
