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Tag: skincare

  • Experience Personalized Skincare Revolution at Laneige’s New Flagship Store in Seoul

    Experience Personalized Skincare Revolution at Laneige’s New Flagship Store in Seoul

    Korean beauty giant Laneige has recently unveiled its first worldwide flagship store, located in the heart of Seoul’s Myeongdong district. This landmark opening underscores the increasing significance of technology and personalization in the retail beauty industry.

    The newly reimagined store, Laneige Seoul, comes after an 18-month redesign process. It is a fusion of retail space, beauty services, and on-demand manufacturing, all housed under one roof. The central theme of the store is to provide a tailored beauty experience. Customers can create customized skincare, complexion, and lip products with the help of AI-powered diagnostics and advanced in-store production technology.

    A Unique Shopping Experience

    The president of the Laneige brand, Pilkyung Choi, emphasized that the new Laneige Seoul is more than just a store. According to Choi, it embodies the future of beauty, technology, and design. Each visit to the store will offer a unique experience, and every product purchased will be exclusively personalized.

    Among the store’s product offerings is an exclusive version of Laneige’s Lip Sleeping Mask. This allows customers to select from ten fragrances that can be combined to create 45 different scent combinations. Additionally, the store also presents a Neo Cushion service that is made-to-order. The foundation is color-matched to the customer’s skin tone from a selection of 150 shades and is manufactured on site using robotic technology.

    In terms of skincare, customers are provided with an AI-based skin analysis. Based on the results, they are then matched with a personalized version of Laneige’s Cream Skin toner. This product is mixed in-store using one of 25 formulations and is typically ready within about 20 minutes.

    Laneige Brand and Its Offering

    Founded in 1994, Laneige is a part of the Amorepacific family. The brand has gained recognition for its hydration-focused skincare offerings, including the popular Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask and Laneige Water Sleeping Mask.

    In 2024, Laneige appointed global pop icon and BTS member Jin as its brand ambassador.

    Questions & Answers

    What is the central theme of the new Laneige Seoul store?
    The central theme of the store is to provide consumers with a customized beauty experience through AI-powered diagnostics and advanced in-store production technology.

    What kind of personalized products can customers create at the Laneige Seoul store?
    Customers can create personalized skincare, complexion, and lip products. They can also have foundation that is color-matched from a selection of 150 shades.

    What is unique about the Laneige’s Lip Sleeping Mask at the Laneige Seoul store?
    Customers can select from ten fragrances that can be combined to create 45 unique scent combinations.

  • Reliance Retail Bolsters Beauty Portfolio with Acquisition of Sustainable Skincare Brand Pahadi Local

    Reliance Retail Bolsters Beauty Portfolio with Acquisition of Sustainable Skincare Brand Pahadi Local

    Reliance Retail, a major Indian retail company, has successfully acquired the skincare and wellness brand, Pahadi Local. Pahadi Local, established in 2018, is well-regarded for its clean ingredient formulations, ethical sourcing practices, and sustainable product offerings. The company is known for its Himalayan ingredients, especially Gutti Ka Tel (Apricot Kernel Oil), which has gained widespread recognition and consumer loyalty.

    The Acquisition & Future Plans

    Reliance Retail’s acquisition of Pahadi Local aligns with its strategic goal to invest in promising Indian brands across multiple sectors, including beauty, wellness, fashion, and lifestyle. The retail giant has plans to foster Pahadi Local’s next growth phase by broadening its retail presence, strengthening its digital footprint, and fast-tracking innovation.

    The founding team of Pahadi Local will remain integral to the company’s operations post-acquisition, playing a crucial role in shaping the brand’s creative direction, product development, and overall philosophy.

    Comment from Reliance Retail

    Isha Ambani, executive director of Reliance Retail Ventures, commented on the acquisition, emphasizing the company’s focus on curating brands that blend authenticity, innovation, and significant consumer relevance. Ambani praised Pahadi Local’s commitment to Himalayan wellness traditions and responsible sourcing, making it a valuable addition to their beauty brand portfolio.

    Reliance Retail is a subsidiary of Reliance Retail Ventures, the umbrella corporation for all retail companies within the Reliance Industries group.

    Questions & Answers

    What is the main product offering of Pahadi Local?
    Pahadi Local is known for its skincare and wellness products primarily made from Himalayan ingredients, with Gutti Ka Tel (Apricot Kernel Oil) as its standout product.

    What are Reliance Retail’s plans for Pahadi Local post-acquisition?
    Reliance Retail plans to expand Pahadi Local’s retail presence, strengthen its digital footprint, and accelerate innovation to foster the brand’s next phase of growth.

    How will the founding team of Pahadi Local be involved in the brand post-acquisition?
    The founding team will continue to play a critical role in shaping the brand’s creative direction, product development, and overall philosophy.

  • Shiseido Plans to Trim 300 U.S. Jobs Amid Challenges with Acquired Skin-Care Brand

    Shiseido Plans to Trim 300 U.S. Jobs Amid Challenges with Acquired Skin-Care Brand

    In a promising turn of events, Shiseido reported an uptick in net profits for the first half of the year, crediting proactive restructuring moves in Japan and China. Yet, while the Japanese cosmetics powerhouse shows signs of recovery, turbulence within its U.S. subsidiary has prompted a reevaluation of strategies, including potential job cuts to streamline operations.

    This dual narrative of recovery and challenge unfolded during Shiseido’s latest financial briefing, where executives revealed their contrasting fortunes across global markets. Though the company has successfully revitalized its operations in Asia, the American segment remains a troublesome spot, leading to uncertainty regarding its growth trajectory.

    Despite achieving growth milestones domestically, the question of how to conquer the U.S. market looms large, akin to trying to win a game of chess with the opponent always a step ahead. Shiseido must now navigate this complex landscape to redefine its American presence—an endeavor both urgent and fraught with risk.

    As the company looks to the future, industry insiders are awaiting clearer signals about its strategic direction, particularly in the wake of significant restructuring. Will Shiseido find the right moves to flourish in a demanding market, or will this shake-up lead to a sidestep rather than a leap forward? Only time will tell.

    Questions & Answers

    What factors contributed to Shiseido’s improved net profit?
    Shiseido’s net profit for January to June improved due to successful restructuring efforts in Japan and China.

    What challenges is Shiseido facing in the U.S. market?
    The U.S. subsidiary continues to struggle, leading the company to consider significant restructuring measures, including potential job cuts.

    What does the future hold for Shiseido in terms of growth?
    While the company shows positive signs in Asia, uncertainty persists regarding its growth strategy in the U.S. market, leaving many questions about its next steps.

  • Chinese Brands Make Waves in Southeast Asia’s Competitive Retail Landscape

    Chinese Brands Make Waves in Southeast Asia’s Competitive Retail Landscape

    Chinese skincare brands are making waves across Southeast Asia, boasting an impressive 115% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) in the mass skincare market from 2019 to 2024. This explosive growth is attributed to innovative product offerings and competitive pricing, launching them into the spotlight as formidable contenders against established players, according to a recent whitepaper by Euromonitor International.

    Chinese Brands Seize Opportunities in Southeast Asia

    The report, titled “The Rise of Chinese Brands in Southeast Asia,” delves into the dynamics of the ASEAN-6 economies—Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam—collectively contributing to 95% of Southeast Asia’s impressive $4 trillion GDP. “Chinese companies are making significant strides in this region, particularly in sectors where they enjoy distinct competitive advantages such as electric vehicles, consumer electronics, and home appliances,” explains Tim Chuah, senior global insight manager at Euromonitor.

    Beauty and Beyond: A Market Revolution

    The beauty sector is witnessing an especially thrilling transformation, with Chinese brands challenging the status quo. In addition to skincare, they are quickly carving out niches in food and foodservice industries. “The aggressive expansion of Chinese brands into these sectors is reshaping the competitive landscape across Southeast Asia,” Chuah added, signaling that incumbent firms need to step up their game.

    Impact Across Industries

    Chinese brands are also shaking up the air conditioning market, rapidly increasing their market share from 9% in 2015 to a projected 25% in 2024. Meanwhile, Japanese competitors have faced a 7% decline during this same period, highlighting the ongoing shift in consumer preferences.

    Capitalizing on Culinary Trends

    In the food and beverage sector, Chinese brands are tapping into a rapidly expanding appetite for coffee, milk tea, snacks, and dairy products throughout Southeast Asia. These categories are experiencing robust double-digit growth, with the beverage segment expected to rise at an impressive 9% annually until 2029.

    Furry Friends and Digital Wallets: The New Frontier

    Not stopping there, Chinese pet care companies are venturing into the burgeoning pet care market in Southeast Asia. This segment alone is projected to grow at a 9% CAGR from 2025 to 2030—a promising landscape for brands eager to cater to pet owners. Meanwhile, while Chinese digital wallets continue to attract tourists, their reach among local consumers remains limited due to strong domestic alternatives. Achieving success in this competitive space will largely depend on forming strategic partnerships with local businesses.

    Questions & Answers

    How are Chinese skincare brands influencing the beauty market in Southeast Asia?
    Chinese skincare brands are dramatically reshaping the beauty market by delivering innovative, cost-effective products that appeal to consumers, resulting in a phenomenal 115% CAGR from 2019 to 2024.

    What sectors are Chinese companies focusing on in Southeast Asia?
    Chinese companies are expanding aggressively in electric vehicles, consumer electronics, home appliances, and increasingly in beauty and food services, posing new challenges to established local and international brands.

    What trends are emerging in the Southeast Asian food and beverage sector?
    The demand for coffee, milk tea, snacks, and dairy products is surging, driving double-digit growth with the beverage segment anticipated to grow annually by 9% until 2029.

  • The Ordinary Debuts Flagship Store On Alibaba’s Tmall, Leveraging Ai For Personalized Skincare Experience

    The Ordinary Debuts Flagship Store On Alibaba’s Tmall, Leveraging Ai For Personalized Skincare Experience

    Canadian skincare label, The Ordinary, has recently announced the launch of its inaugural flagship store on Tmall, Alibaba’s e-commerce platform. This comes not long after it first ventured into the Chinese market in February of this year.

    Embracing Science-Led, Ingredient-Driven Formulations

    The Ordinary has built its reputation on its commitment to science-based, ingredient-focused products at affordable prices. With this new online store, the company hopes to extend its reach to a wider customer base in China.

    The digital shop also incorporates AI-driven technology, with the aim of helping shoppers identify the skincare products that will suit their specific needs.

    Co-founder of The Ordinary, Nicola Kilner, expressed her excitement about this new venture, highlighting its significance in the brand’s mission to make quality skincare more available to Chinese consumers. Kilner further iterated the brand’s intent to strengthen its ties with the Chinese market by embracing innovative practices and imparting vital skincare knowledge.

    Event Celebrating the Launch

    In celebration of the store’s launch, The Ordinary organized a gathering in Shanghai last month. The event saw the attendance of Kilner, Lulu Chang from Estée Lauder China, and high-level personnel from Tmall. The primary focus of this event was to discuss the pivotal role of technology and transparency in shaping the future of skincare.

    The Ordinary’s Growth and Expansion

    The skincare brand’s expansion comes on the heels of Estée Lauder Companies’ successful acquisition of Deciem, the parent company of The Ordinary, in the previous year. The transaction, worth US$1.7 billion, has given Estée Lauder full ownership of Deciem Beauty Group, a Canadian firm.

    Questions & Answers

    What is The Ordinary’s approach to skincare?
    The Ordinary is known for its science-led, ingredient-driven formulations. Their products are designed to address specific skincare needs at accessible price points.

    What is the purpose of the AI-powered tools on The Ordinary’s online store?
    The AI-powered tools are designed to help consumers identify the right skincare products for their specific needs.

    What was the primary focus of the event held by The Ordinary in Shanghai?
    The event centered around discussions on the role of technology and transparency in shaping the future of the skincare industry.

  • CJ Olive Young Boosts Brand Growth with Skin Analyser Service in 100 Stores

    CJ Olive Young Boosts Brand Growth with Skin Analyser Service in 100 Stores

    In an innovative stride toward personalized beauty services, CJ Olive Young is set to dramatically expand its self-operated skin analyser machines across South Korea. By the end of 2025, the popular health and beauty retailer plans to install approximately 100 machines in major cities, catering to the rising consumer demand for customized skincare solutions.

    Expanding Access to Advanced Skin Analysis

    CJ Olive Young’s new initiative offers customers a complimentary service that analyzes scalp and skin conditions. The technology provides insights on hydration and sensitivity, affording personalized skincare advice to meet individual needs. This expansion not only aligns with evolving consumer trends but also strengthens Olive Young’s commitment to offering tailored shopping experiences.

    Leveraging Technology for Customer Engagement

    At the core of this initiative is “SELLY,” an exclusive counseling app used by store staff that suggests products based on each customer’s unique skin type, texture preferences, and ingredient requirements. The app enhances in-store consultations, making it a vital tool in bridging the gap between customers and products.

    Strong Evidence of Consumer Interest

    The significance of this expansion is underscored by recent data from Olive Young’s flagship store in N Seongsu, where customers using the “Skin Scan Pro” service exhibited a purchase conversion rate of 78%. This figure contrasts sharply with the 43% conversion rate observed among non-users, highlighting the effectiveness of personalized engagement strategies in the retail landscape.

    The Shift Toward Discovery-Based Shopping

    This growth strategy comes at an opportune moment. With a marked shift in retail dynamics—from a search-driven approach to one grounded in discovery—CJ Olive Young is poised to lead the way in fulfilling the desires of Gen Z and Millennials for authentic and meaningful shopping experiences.

    As CJ Olive Young expands its personalized beauty services, the impact on the retail sector and consumers is substantial. Enhanced consumer engagement through technology is likely to redefine shopping habits, making personalized beauty advice more accessible and leading to increased customer loyalty across the industry.

    Questions & Answers:

    1. What is CJ Olive Young planning for 2025? CJ Olive Young aims to install approximately 100 self-operated skin analyser machines in major cities across South Korea by the end of 2025.
    2. How does the skin analyser service work? The free service provides customers with scalp and skin condition analysis, offering personalized skincare advice based on metrics like hydration and sensitivity through the use of an exclusive app called “SELLY.”
    3. What impact has this service had on purchase behavior? Customers who engaged with the “Skin Scan Pro” service experienced a 78% purchase conversion rate, compared to 43% for those who did not use it, indicating strong interest in personalized beauty experiences.
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  • TBH Skincare rolls out in 857 Coles stores

    TBH Skincare rolls out in 857 Coles stores

    TBH Skincare has partnered with Coles Supermarkets and will be stocked in 857 stores across Australia.

    The move follows the brand’s recent merger with fellow beauty company Boost Lab under the new umbrella, York Street Brands. Earning more than $6 million in annual turnover just three years after launch, TBH Skincare expects to bring in an estimated $20 million in combined revenue annually.

    “We have been in discussions with Coles for several months, and we couldn’t be more excited,” said Rachael Wilde, co-founder of TBH Skincare.

    “Seeing over 115,000 units leave our warehouse just for the first order and thinking of how many people that will reach is a dream come true.”

    TBH Skincare began as an e-commerce channel in 2020, launching with its Acne Hack Spot Treatment product. Since then, the brand has expanded its product range and stockists, with more than 1200 stores now carrying its products.

    “My mission has been to give consumers ease in access so they feel empowered, and now I feel like, as a brand, we can say that confidently,” said Wilde.

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  • Tahi seeks to expand into Australian market

    Tahi seeks to expand into Australian market

    New Zealand-based skincare oil brand Tahi is seeking to expand into the Australian market.

    Tahi’s products, which make use of plant extracts found in native New Zealand forests, are currently sold through stockists Blackbird Goods in Hastings, Infinite / Definite in Christchurch Central, and Wander & Sons in Dunedin.

    Tea and Tonic and Matakana also serve as stockists for the skincare brand.

    “I just researched what those plants had been used for in the past by Māori and others and why, and experimented with them myself – how they felt together, how they smelled together, and the mixture of different things that can benefit people’s skin,” said Jackie Lee, founder of Tahi.

    Lee added that she envisions collaborating with experts to develop blends on a more scientific level as she intends to expand the company’s footprint.

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  • Hemp-based skincare startup Hey Bud secures huge deal to supply 400 Priceline stores

    Hemp-based skincare startup Hey Bud secures huge deal to supply 400 Priceline stores

    Hemp-powered skincare brand Hey Bud has rolled into more than 400 Priceline stores nationwide, as the startup readies for Australian authorities to embrace a greater variety of cannabis and CBD-infused products.

    Hey Bud offers a range of serums, cleansers, and clay masks infused with hempseed oil, a natural product touted for its anti-inflammatory properties.

    While hemp is derived from the cannabis plant family, hempseed oil contains no psychoactive ingredients — even if the Hey Bud name does cheekily allude to the plant’s more well-known cousin.

    Officially launched in 2020 by Melbourne co-founders Alex Roslaniec, Ollie Watts, and Fedele D’Amico, Hey Bud commands its own webstore and an engaged, youthful fanbase with more than 210,000 Instagram followers.

    The company claims to have made $10 million in sales in its brief history.

    Partnering with Priceline will help the brand reach even more young customers, Roslaniec says, given the overlap between Hey Bud’s existing users and the pharmacy chain’s core customer base.

    “What we found from speaking to a few different retailers was that Priceline’s customer demographic really made a lot of sense for us,” Roslaniec said

    “So a lot of our customers do shop in the likes of Priceline, and they also have a very similar age demographic as well.”

    “We know customers have been wanting to see our products on store shelves for a while now, and we are so excited to finally make that happen,” co-founder Ollie Watts said in a statement.

    The company is also exploring international distribution opportunities, Fedele added.

    More broadly, the Priceline expansion will help Hey Bud on its mission of “actually educating our customers, and making sure that we are breaking down the stigma of cannabis because it doesn’t have this psychoactive component to it”.

    At the same time, Hey Bud is keeping a keen eye on the CBD product market.

    While doctors are free to prescribe pharmaceutical cannabis in certain circumstances, access to cannabis-based products like CBD oil is strictly regulated in Australia.

    Given the prevalence of legalised CBD-infused consumer products in the US, Canada, and the UK, Roslaniec says customers are eager to hear about legislative developments at home.

    “What we’re finding from a lot of our customers is they’re actually asking us, they’re looking to us for answers when CBD will become legal within Australia,” he said.

    “I believe that it’s only a matter of time before CBD and cannabis become more recreationally legalised here in Australia which we are keeping a very close eye on,” he added.

    The company is “talking to formulators overseas to understand what the process looks like as well so that we are ready to pivot into that space.”

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  • Hey Bud Skincare Partners with Pattern to Grow Sales through Online Marketplaces

    Hey Bud Skincare Partners with Pattern to Grow Sales through Online Marketplaces

    Booming Australian hemp skincare brand Hey Bud aims to grow online sales by 40% through new marketplace & eCommerce strategy

    Hey Bud, Australia’s #1 Hemp skincare brand has partnered with the category leader for global eCommerce acceleration Pattern Australia, to optimise its eCommerce operations and grow sales through online marketplaces.

    Founded as an online-only business, Hey Bud has rapidly grown to become one of the country’s most popular skincare brands. The company is aiming to grow overall online sales by 40% in two years through selling on online marketplaces.

    “Since our original product line – The Hydrating Clay Mask – sold out instantly in 2020, Hey Bud has rapidly expanded to become one of the most popular skincare brands in Australia, with a growing international audience. Today, we distribute our 8-piece product line from 3PL fulfilment centres in Australia, the US, New Zealand, and the UK, to consumers across the globe,” said Alex Roslaniec, Co-Founder of Hey Bud Skincare.

    Hey Bud’s sales and advertising model traditionally focused heavily on leveraging micro-influencers on social media, coupled with online advertising on Facebook and Instagram, with additional revenue streams flowing from its VIP Facebook group. However, since the recent IOS 14-15 privacy and security updates to iPhones, customer tracking and targeted advertising via social media became more difficult and less effective.

    Following a recent round of external funding to accelerate international business growth, Hey Bud has turned to Pattern to help diversify its sales channels and expand its customer base through online marketplaces like Amazon.com.

    “It’s been an amazing experience watching our brand grow and be loved by so many customers in Australia and internationally. While our social media following and our partnerships with micro-influencers have helped us reach where we are today, it was time to diversify our sales channels and route-to-market to fuel our next phase of growth. Digital marketplaces will enable Hey Bud to reach a new range of customers in Australia and internationally given our growing influence and popularity amongst consumers,” said Alex.

    Pattern will manage all end-to-end eCommerce processes for Hey Bud, including marketplace storefront set-up, product page management, and fulfilment and logistics operations to ship products from its own warehouse to Amazon, as well as implementing an overarching eCommerce and marketplace strategy.

    The strategy will first focus on the initial launch of Hey Bud on Amazon Australia, working also to oversee and perfect Hey Bud’s product creation and branding, content and marketing design, and listing optimisation.

    Additionally, Pattern will leverage its extensive experience in marketplaces to maximise growth for Hey Bud by:

    • Increasing Hey Bud’s product visibility on all marketplaces
    • Maximising marketplace conversion rates for Hey Bud
    • Managing marketplace customer support
    • Implementing various marketing campaigns for Amazon Australia
    • Aligning Hey Bud’s promotional activities on Amazon with the wider market
    • Ensuring continual stock in Amazon warehouse is available for fast delivery of customer orders via in-house proprietary forecasting & replenishment tools
    • Identifying new marketplace & growth opportunities for Hey Bud

    “Hey Bud has rapidly grown to become a much-loved Australian skincare brand. We are very excited to begin work and help Hey Bud diversify its sales model through new online marketplace activity,” said Merline McGregor, General Manager, at Pattern Australia.

    “We are partnering with Hey Bud to grow their Amazon channel through streamlined sales, customer reviews and optimised listing management, then using this same strategy to help them break into other digital marketplaces like eBay and Catch, and beauty marketplaces like Cult Beauty and Macy’s,” ended Merline.

    For more information on how retail brands can grow their market share through online marketplaces, please visit: www.pattern.com/au

     

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  • Sunbutter Skincare becomes world’s first certified palm oil-free sunscreen

    Sunbutter Skincare becomes world’s first certified palm oil-free sunscreen

    The innovators behind Australia’s first reef safe sunscreen is packaged in reusable and recyclable tins and Australia’s first vegan surf zinc, SunButter Skincare, have announced they will become the first sunscreen company in the world to be certified palm oil free.

    Working closely with International Palm Oil Free Certification Trademark (POFCAP) SunButter has removed palm oil from its supply chain ensuring none of the ingredients used in any of its sunscreen or skincare products is derived from palm oil.

    “At SunButter we’re all about protecting people and the planet and if we’re including palm oil as an ingredient then we’re not protecting the planet, we wanted to make sure we live up to our ethos and mantra,” said SunButter Skincare Founders Sacha Guggenheimer and Tom Hiney.

    Typically, consumers won’t see ‘palm oil’ listed as an ingredient on the back of their sunscreen bottle, it’s usually hidden behind the name caprylic/capric triglyceride, cetostearyl alcohol, glycerin and glyceryl caprylate.

    “Sadly, it’s super complicated, because palm oil and palm oil derivatives are disguised under hundreds of different names,” said Hiney.

    To complicate things further, finding transparency when it comes to supply chains is difficult and this might partly explain why no Australian company is currently able to say that their sunscreen is certified as free of palm oil.

    “It’s really about encouraging brands to go palm oil free and support other palm oil free brands, we’ve been fortunate enough to go to Sumatra and see the devastating effects palm oil plantations have on the planet from deforestation and the disruption of soil carbon to the decimation of local animal populations, so talking about this certification is a great exercise in raising awareness about the use of palm oil in the cosmetic industry,” said Guggenheimer

    SunButter encourages consumers to do their research, looking for items with a ‘palm oil free’ logo from the POFCAP, Orangutan Alliance, Go Palm Oil Free or POI Approved, which means they’re certified (rather than just labelled as ‘palm oil free’ by the company, which can be inaccurate and misleading).

    “While the palm oil issue is a big one, there is a string of organisations doing really good work to get us back on the right path, and it’s important that we take personal responsibility and become more conscious in our buying habits as the less demand there is for products containing palm oil, the fewer products “While the palm oil issue is a big one, there is a string of organisations doing really good work to get us back on the right path, and it’s important that we take personal responsibility and become more conscious in our buying habits as the less demand there is for products containing palm oil, the fewer products containing palm oil there’ll be on the market.” said Hiney.

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  • L’Occitane buys Australian skincare brand Grown Alchemist

    L’Occitane buys Australian skincare brand Grown Alchemist

    Hong Kong-listed beauty giant L’Occitane Group has acquired a majority stake in Australian-based clean skincare brand Grown Alchemist for an undisclosed sum.

    Grown Alchemist was founded in 2008 by Melbourne siblings, Jeremy and Keston Muijis, with a focus on futuristic anti-aging technology and unique botanical skincare formulas for optimal skin health. The brand opened a flagship store in Melbourne in 2020, “gearing for the next phase of [our] journey with a full-scale omnichannel presence to further augment global sales”.

    “With a unique and inspiring brand story and international fan base, Grown Alchemist is poised for international scalability and rapid growth,” said Andre Hoffmann, vice chairman & CEO of L’Occitane Group.

    The acquisition of Grown Alchemist is part of L’Occitane’s plan to further broaden its health-conscious beauty portfolio, attracting influential millennial and Gen Z customers.

    The deal follows L’Occitane’s acquisition of Sol de Janeiro’s 83-per-cent stake last November, which is known for the Brazilian Bum Bum Cream brand.

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  • BWX takes controlling stake in Go-To Skincare, as profit soars

    BWX takes controlling stake in Go-To Skincare, as profit soars

    ASX-listed company BWX has snapped up a controlling stake in beauty entrepreneur and young rich lister Zoë Foster Blake’s business Go-To Skincare in an $89 million deal.

    BWX scooped up 50.1 percent of Go-To with the deal valuing the business, which sells its range of moisturizers, face masks and bubble bath online and through Mecca stores, at $177 million.

    Ms Foster Blake started Go-To in 2014 and the business has boomed during the coronavirus pandemic, recording revenue of $38 million last year as consumers treated themselves with skincare products. She owns a stake in the business.

    She started her career writing a beauty column at Cosmopolitan. Ms Foster Blake is the author of several books including The Wrong Girl and No One Likes A Fart and headed up Australia’s most recent tourism campaign with her husband, comedian Hamish Blake.

    Ms Foster Blake drew on her beauty expertise to found Go-To and garnered a loyal customer base through savvy use of her extensive social media following.

    The peach packaged brand has expanded to include Gro-To, plant-based skincare for babies and Bro-To, which is marketed to boys and men and has expanded internationally into the United States.

    Go-To will remain a standalone brand with Ms Foster Blake as strategic shareholder, chief creative officer and board director of Go-To and the company’s other co-founders will also remain in the partnership.

    Ms Foster Blake said two Australian beauty companies coming together to cement Australia’s reputation in the sector was “very exciting” and would accelerate Go-To’s growth internationally.

    “When we embarked on this process we wanted a compatible-like minded partner who as culturally aligned, shared our values on sustainability, inclusivity and quality, really ‘got’ our brands, and who could assist in unlocking Go-To’s international potential,” she said. “BWX immediately made sense. They live and breathe skincare and have a proven track record globally.”

    BWX already owns the Sukin, Andalou Naturals, Mineral Fusion, and Nourished Life brands and in its full-year results on Friday reported a 61 percent lift in net profit to $23.7 million for the year and a 3 percent increase in revenue to $194.1 million.

    BWX chief executive Dave Fenlon said Go-To was an authentic brand with a loyal customer following and an exciting growth outlook.

    “Zoë is a proven brand-builder and innovator,” he said.

    “This partnership will provide BWX with an opportunity to accelerate our international growth strategy, increase our sales via the direct-to-consumer channel, while also providing access to a potential new growth customer demographic and exposure to a premium brand which complements our existing portfolio.”

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  • Unilever buys digital-first skincare brand Paula’s Choice

    Unilever buys digital-first skincare brand Paula’s Choice

    Unilever is to add digital-led skincare brand Paula’s Choice to its portfolio after reaching a purchase agreement with TA Associates.

    The value of the deal – expected to be completed in the third quarter this year – has not yet been disclosed. According to Unilever, Paula’s Choice will join its Prestige division which manages other skincare brands such as Tatcha, Murad, and Dermalogica.

    “Developing Unilever’s portfolio in the high-growth premium skin-care segment is one of our strategic priorities,” said Sunny Jain, president of beauty & personal care at Unilever.

    “Paula’s Choice is a true pioneer in the digital space for beauty and has created a mission-based brand rooted in truth and transparency,” said Vasiliki Petrou, VP and CEO of Unilever Prestige.

    Founded in 1995 by Paula Begoun, the direct to consumer brand Paula’s Choice is known for its science-backed products and digital tools, including its ‘Ingredient Dictionary’ that breaks down the research behind nearly 4000 ingredients, and ‘Expert Advice’, a curated online hub of skincare and ingredient knowledge.

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  • AmorePacific buys Australian luxury skincare brand

    AmorePacific buys Australian luxury skincare brand

    South Korean beauty firm AmorePacific has acquired a substantial minority stake in Australian luxury skincare brand Rationale.

    The investment is aimed at boosting AmorePacific’s credentials in the high-end personalized cosmetics market and will help Rationale expand across Asia, focusing on South Korea, Hong Kong, and Singapore initially during the next five years. The deal also effectively gives AmorePacific a manufacturing facility in Australia.

    Rationale currently operates 15 flagship stores in Australia, sells via its own online site and also through a network of about 50 medical agencies including dermatologists and plastic surgeons.

    Under the deal, AmorePacific will secure an advisory role and voting rights on Rationale’s board.

    “With a truly shared innovation vision, Rationale and AmorePacific will take personalized skincare solutions to a new level,” said Saehong Ahn, president of AmorePacific, in a statement.

    “AmorePacific will continue to look into mergers and acquisitions and partnerships with promising companies and secure opportunities for future growth.”

    Richard Parker, who founded Rationale in 1992, described the alignment between the two companies as “intuitive”.

    “Rationale is acknowledged worldwide as the environmental skincare authority and leader in epigenetic research, and we are thrilled to be empowered to expand this vital work with AmorePacific.

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