This week, the global cosmetics and personal care industry highlighted the growing convergence of technology, health and retail, as brands, manufacturers and investors responded to shifting competitive dynamics while navigating rising expectations around innovation, performance and trust.
Financial updates and portfolio moves continued across major consumer goods groups.P&G reported Q2 FY26 sales growth and held its outlook despite restructuring charges. In India, Amway India reported a wider FY25 loss as sales declined, while Hindustan Unilever remained the country’s top TV advertiser despite a broader market slowdown.Reliance Consumer acquired global rights to Brylcreem, Toni & Guy, Badedas and Matey.
Retail expansion and store network strategy remained active across key markets. Amazon announced plans for its biggest-ever retail store as part of a US big-box push. In mass beauty, essence expanded into more than 500 Walmart stores across the US. In prestige, Sulwhasoo entered the UK through Cult Beauty, while Sephora partnered with Olive Young to support global growth for K-beauty.
Beauty brand restructuring and corporate change continued. AS Beauty confirmed it will close Mally Beauty and CoverFX. DOUGLAS reported 1.7 percent Q1 sales growth amid softer December trading.Bain submitted a binding bid for FineToday.
Investment and marketing infrastructure remained in focus as brands pursued new growth levers. Blackstone backed Applecart in a US$100 million funding round valuing the company at US$700 million.Statusphere raised US$18 million to scale micro-influencer marketing for brands. L’Oréal announced plans to invest US$383 million in a Hyderabad beauty tech hub.
brands. L’Oréal announced plans to invest US$383 million in a Hyderabad beauty tech hub.Legal disputes and leadership changes also featured this week. Estée Lauder was sued by a beauty tech startup over alleged trade secret theft.Tatcha appointed Diane Kim as its new CEO.Maybelline New York named Teens in Times as global partners.
Global retail and travel retail developments remained active as restructuring and deal-making progressed. Saks Global secured the first US$500 million tranche of restructuring financing. CTG Duty-Free agreed to acquire the DFS Hong Kong and Macau business in an LVMH-backed deal. CK Hutchison targeted a US$30 billion valuation for a dual IPO of A.S. Watson, while Zalando targeted its first US B2B deal as AI-driven traffic growth continued.
Manufacturing and R&D investment also featured across the supply chain. KDC/One confirmed it will close its 150-year Somerset cosmetics factory and shift production to Scotland. In fragrance and flavour, MANE acquired ChemoSensoryx Biosciences to expand its R&D capabilities, while L Catterton moved to acquire a minority stake in fragrance house EX NIHILO.
Taken together, this week reflected an industry operating across increasingly blurred boundaries, as consumer goods groups, beauty retailers and suppliers advanced expansion, investment and restructuring activity across multiple channels and regions. With continued focus on retail scale, marketing performance, manufacturing footprints and long-term capability building, the sector remained active across both operational and strategic priorities.
