Last week in beauty Sephora significantly expands its UK coverage while two mega beauty deals are in the making.
SEPHORA TO OPEN SHOP-IN-SHOPS INSIDE 100 MARKS & SPENCER STORES
Marks & Spencer and Sephora have formed a strategic partnership to launch “Sephora at M&S,” a beauty destination rolling out to 100 UK high streets and retail parks plus M&S.com from spring 2027. The shop-in-shop model will combine Sephora’s curated prestige brand mix and specialist Beauty Advisors with M&S’s national store estate and omnichannel platform, with the full brand line-up to be confirmed closer to launch.
ARMANI NEARS STAKE TALKS WITH L’ORÉAL, LVMH & ESSILORLUXOTTICA
Armani is preparing formal discussions with L’Oréal, LVMH and EssilorLuxottica over the potential sale of a minority stake, following founder Giorgio Armani’s will instructing heirs to sell an initial 15 percent within 18 months of his death, with one option dividing the stake among the three preferred investors. For L’Oréal, which holds Armani’s beauty licensing agreement through 2050, protecting the long-term fragrance and cosmetics partnership is reportedly a priority, as the Italian group generated €2.19 billion in 2025 revenue with EBITDA up 3.2 percent to €153 million.
SYCAMORE NEARS $9 BILLION BOOTS SALE
Sycamore Partners is reportedly nearing a deal to sell UK pharmacy and beauty retailer Boots to the Canadian arm of the Weston family for close to US$9 billion including debt. Sycamore acquired Walgreens in 2025 for US$24 billion and split it into five units to facilitate disposals, with Boots also spanning former international operations in Thailand, Mexico, Germany and China.
SELFRIDGES RETURNS TO PROFIT, URGES UK TO RESTORE TAX-FREE SHOPPING
Selfridges generated a £13 million pre-tax profit in the 12 months to early January, from a £15.9 million loss, as revenue rose 7% to £830.8 million and operating profit hit £79.7 million. CEO André Maeder urged the UK to restore tax-free tourist shopping, scrapped in 2021, while analysts flagged online weakness and Middle East travel risks.
US-CHINA TARIFF CUTS INCLUDE BEAUTY PRODUCTS
The US and China agreed to cut tariffs on roughly US$30 billion of bilateral trade, covering 77 categories of Chinese goods entering the US and 1,619 categories of US goods entering China, with about 90 percent moving to most-favoured-nation rates. China’s list includes US cosmetics, while the US list covers cosmetic brushes, electric shavers and hair-removal appliances, potentially reducing import costs for beauty and personal care companies.
SHINSEGAE TESTS US MARKET WITH HUDSON YARDS K-BEAUTY POP-UP
South Korean department store group Shinsegae has opened a three-month K-beauty pop-up at The Shops at Hudson Yards in New York, featuring more than 30 Korean brands, most without existing US retail distribution, across skincare, makeup, fragrance, body care, hair care and beauty devices. Running through December, the Hyper Ground concept follows Shinsegae’s 2025 pop-up at Printemps in Paris, positioning the group as a market-entry platform for emerging Korean beauty brands in the US.
L’ORÉAL LAUNCHES DR.G ON TIKTOK SHOP IN THE US
L’Oréal is launching its Korean skincare brand Dr.G on TikTok Shop in the US, marking the company’s first brand debut on the platform as it builds on its initial Amazon entry. Dr.G is Korea’s top skincare brand, founded by dermatologist Gun-Young Ahn, while skincare was TikTok Shop’s second-largest beauty category from January to June 2026, with K-beauty leaders exceeding $245 million in sales.
KIEHL’S OPENS LONDON EUROPEAN FLAGSHIP STORE
Kiehl’s, the L’Oréal-owned skincare brand, has opened its European flagship in a 1,300 sq ft, two-floor space on Carnaby Street in London’s Soho, featuring advanced ‘Derma Readers’ for skin analysis. The store marks what the brand calls a major strategic milestone, reflecting its push into experiential standalone retail amid ongoing investment in physical beauty destinations.
DUA LIPA BRAND OPENS FIRST PARIS BOUTIQUE
Dua Lipa’s brand with Augustinus Bader opened its first permanent boutique in Paris, a 215-square-foot space with its own Rue de Beaujolais entrance beside the Palais-Royal store. Following successful pop-ups at Selfridges and Paris, CEO Charles Rosier said the three-product line, priced $40–$80, targets 18-to-35-year-olds and that a US store is a logical next step, though no sales figures were disclosed.
RHODE ROLLS OUT AT SEPHORA ACROSS EUROPE
Rhode, the Hailey Bieber-founded beauty brand, launched exclusively at Sephora in 19 new continental European markets, including France, Germany and Italy, spanning more than 500 stores and the retailer’s e-commerce. Following record success in the US, Canada and UK, where it is Sephora’s top-selling beauty brand, Rhode now exceeds $500 million in net sales and targets $1 billion, with exclusives such as the Pretzel Peptide Lip Tint and a Champs-Élysées takeover.
JO MALONE LONDON EXPANDS UK REACH WITH SPACE NK ROLLOUT
Jo Malone London has launched in 26 Space NK stores across the UK and on spacenk.com, strengthening the Estée Lauder-owned fragrance brand’s position in the British beauty landscape. The partnership with the Ulta Beauty-owned retailer complements Jo Malone London’s existing retail footprint and creates a platform for long-term growth through future products, storytelling and experiences, according to VP/GM Lizzie Brady.
&HONEY LAUNCHES IN THE USA AT ULTA BEAUTY
Japanese hair care brand &honey has expanded its US retail footprint through a nationwide launch at Ulta Beauty, bringing six products from its Deep Moist and Melty Moist Repair collections to the retailer’s website and roughly 600 stores, each priced at US$23. The partnership marks a significant physical distribution expansion for the moisture-focused brand, as international interest in Asian beauty widens beyond skincare and make-up into hair care.
BATH & BODY WORKS LAUNCHES ESSENTIALS SENSITIVE SKIN LINE
Bath & Body Works has launched Essentials, a sensitive skin body care franchise comprising a body wash, lotion and eau de parfum, all hypoallergenic, dermatologist-approved and formulated with glycerin, hyaluronic acid, shea butter and cocoa butter. Available in US and Canada stores, e-commerce and select Amazon products, the line includes three fragrances and is set for international expansion in 2027 as the retailer moves into functional personal care.
EU CLEARS PARTNERS GROUP’S AROMA-ZONE ACQUISITION
The European Commission has approved Partners Group’s acquisition of Eurazeo’s majority stake in French natural cosmetics specialist Aroma-Zone, with no competition concerns given Eurazeo was already the majority shareholder and the Swiss fund isn’t active in the sector. Eurazeo, which has backed Aroma-Zone since 2021, will not fully exit as its Capital V fund reinvests alongside Partners Group, following the French brand’s rapid growth of 52% in 2025, 56% in 2024 and 42% in 2023, with ready-to-use products now representing over 90% of sales.
BORLETTI GROUP TAKES FULL CONTROL OF PINALLI
Borletti Group has acquired 100% of Italian beauty retailer Pinalli from H.I.G. Capital and the founding family, with J. Safra Sarasin as anchor investor and the family retaining a minority stake. Pinalli, founded in 1984, runs over 100 stores plus e-commerce at about 30% of sales, posted roughly €200 million revenue in 2025, and will continue under CEO Raffaele Rossetti with Borletti as Chairman.
INFLEXION INVESTS IN FRENCH NAIL BRAND MANUCURIST FOR GLOBAL PUSH
European private equity firm Inflexion has invested in French nail care brand Manucurist through its Enterprise Fund VI to support international expansion, with the US identified as a key growth market. Founded in 2016, the plant-based, vegan nail brand operates across DTC, retail, pharmacy and marketplace channels in more than 40 countries, and will use the funding for retail distribution, digital growth, product development and team expansion.
CLICKS BUYS MAJORITY STAKE IN SOUTH AFRICAN RETAILER ARC STORE
Clicks Group increased its stake in South African premium beauty retailer ARC to 61% after acquiring an additional 35.3% for R507 million (US$30.42 million). ARC, founded in 2020, runs 12 stores and e-commerce, plans 20–30 stores, and gains backing in a market worth over R6 billion (US$360 million) annually, with management staying until at least 2028 and the deal subject to competition approval.
AMOREPACIFIC INVESTS IN BIOTECH JUNEVITY FOR ANTI-AGEING SCIENCE
Amorepacific has partnered with biotechnology company Junevity and invested through its corporate venture arm, Amorepacific Ventures, to develop next-generation skin rejuvenation cosmetics. The collaboration combines Junevity’s AI- and omics-driven RESET Platform with Amorepacific’s skin biology and commercialisation expertise, while Amorepacific holds a licensing agreement for cosmetic applications and will lead product development.
KURLY AND AMOREPACIFIC TEAM ON EXCLUSIVE BEAUTY LINES
South Korean e-commerce platform Kurly has signed a joint business plan with Amorepacific to develop “Kurly Only” products sold exclusively through Beauty Kurly, alongside joint marketing and new category development. Beauty Kurly merchandisers will join from early planning, combining retailer insights with Amorepacific’s development capabilities, while cooperation deepens with existing brands Sulwhasoo, HERA and AESTURA.
L’ORÉAL SECURES €2BN IN THREE-PART BOND SALE
L’Oréal priced a €2 billion bond offering across three tranches: an €850 million two-year floating-rate note at three-month Euribor plus 27 basis points, a €500 million three-year fixed-rate bond at 3.75 percent, and a €650 million seven-year fixed-rate bond at 4 percent. The issue, rated AA (Stable) and Aa1 (Stable) and set to trade on Euronext Paris from September 30, strengthens the company’s long-term capital access and financial flexibility.
UNILEVER INVESTS IN ITS PRODUCTION CAPACITY IN EGYPT
Unilever Egypt opened a new Sunsilk production line at its Mashreq Personal Care Factory in 6th of October City, lifting annual capacity by 20 percent and dedicating the line entirely to exports. The site sends about 65 percent of output to more than 30 countries and sources roughly 80 percent of materials locally, strengthening Egypt’s role in Unilever’s global supply chain.
AGUILERA FRONTS CHARLOTTE TILBURY HOLIDAY CAMPAIGN
Charlotte Tilbury has signed Grammy-winning singer Christina Aguilera as the face of its 2026 Christmas campaign, which pays homage to the showgirl glamour of her 2001 hit “Lady Marmalade.” Aguilera, who has sold over 75 million records and won five Grammys, follows previous campaign stars Celine Dion and Kylie Minogue, with the campaign featuring the new Hollywood Flawless Light Tricks Eye Palette.
ACTRESS LUCY HALE NAMED GRANDE COSMETICS AMBASSADOR
Grande Cosmetics has named actress Lucy Hale its first celebrity Brand Ambassador, debuting alongside the brand’s new ‘Little Rituals, Big Impact’ campaign. Hale, who has used hero product GrandeLASH-MD for 15 years, will promote GrandeLASH-MD and GrandeBROW across television, social media, digital, out-of-home and Sephora stores.
SINGER TATE MCRAE LAUNCHES DEBUT FRAGRANCE
Pop star Tate McRae has launched her debut fragrance, Tate 01, with Scent Beauty, priced from $30 to $82 and sold first direct-to-consumer before hitting Ulta Beauty online on Oct. 16 and in stores Oct. 25. Industry sources forecast an eight-figure launch, with global expansion planned for Douglas and Boots, as Scent Beauty deepens its artist-led portfolio.
THE OUTSET, SCARLETT JOHANSSON’S SKINCARE BRAND, CEASES OPERATIONS
Scarlett Johansson’s skincare brand The Outset, co-founded with entrepreneur Kate Foster Lengyel in March 2022, has ceased trading with online shopping ended, though existing orders will continue to be processed. The closure adds to a growing list of celebrity-founded beauty brands that have shuttered in recent years, following Gwen Stefani’s Gxve Beauty, Drew Barrymore’s Flower Beauty and Kate Moss’s Cosmoss.
