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Briefing

The latest published updates from across the beauty industry.

Supergoop! hires Jamie Parker from Coty as its first Chief Commercial Officer

Sunscreen brand Supergoop! announced the appointment of Jamie Parker as Chief Commercial Officer, effective from 9 month 28 day. Parker previously served as Senior Vice President and General Manager for the US region at beauty giant Coty, bringing extensive experience across premium and mass markets, as well as retail and e-commerce. He will lead Supergoop!'s global commercial organization, covering retail, e-commerce, and retail marketing, and will be responsible for accelerating existing business growth, expanding brand reach, strengthening strategic retail partnerships, and building a consistent consumer experience. Supergoop! CEO Melis del Rey stated that Parker's diverse background and transformational leadership will help the brand advance toward becoming a global leader in skin health. Parker emphasized that Supergoop! has reshaped perceptions of the sunscreen category, and he looks forward to integrating global commercial strategies, deepening collaborations, and reaching new consumers. This executive appointment comes as the brand seeks its next phase of growth, with industry observers noting that its channel expansion and brand upgrade strategies are worth watching.

L'Oréal's market capitalization surpassed that of LVMH, becoming the French listed company with the highest market capitalization

According to Reuters, on 9 15, local time, the market capitalization of cosmetics group L'Oréal surpassed that of Louis Vuitton's parent company, LVMH Group, making it the French listed company with the highest market capitalization. This change was mainly due to slowing growth in high-end luxury goods sales, sluggish performance by LVMH Group, and a continuous decline in its stock price. Since the beginning of this year, L'Oréal Group's stock price has risen by nearly 4%, while LVMH Group's stock price has fallen by nearly 37%. In addition, LVMH Group's market capitalization dropped out of the top ten European listed companies by market capitalization on that day. The global luxury industry has continued to contract over the past three years, while the cosmetics industry has demonstrated greater resilience. This shift in market capitalization rankings reflects diverging market expectations for the prospects of mass-market consumer goods versus high-end luxury goods, sending a positive signal for the beauty industry.

Change in France's Top Market Capitalization: L'Oréal Surpasses LVMH

According to Reuters, on the 15th local time, the market capitalization of cosmetics group L'Oréal surpassed that of Louis Vuitton's parent company, LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton (LVMH), making it the listed company with the highest market capitalization in France. By the close of the French stock market on that day, LVMH's share price fell by 2.64%, and its market capitalization dropped to approximately 2010.33 hundred million euros; L'Oréal's share price fell by 0.78%, with a market capitalization of about 2030.46 hundred million euros. Since the beginning of this year, L'Oréal's share price has risen by nearly 4%, while LVMH's share price has fallen by nearly 37%. Analysts pointed out that this is the first time since 2017 that a non-luxury company has held the top market capitalization position at the close of trading on the Euronext Paris. In addition, LVMH's market capitalization fell out of the top ten in Europe on that day. The global luxury industry has continued to contract over the past three years; according to data from Bain & Company, approximately 6000 ten thousand consumers have stopped purchasing luxury goods. This change in market capitalization leadership reflects the divergence between weak demand for high-end luxury goods and the resilience of the mass beauty market, which may trigger a reevaluation within the industry regarding business diversification and counter-cyclical capabilities.

Colgate-Palmolive explores selling personal care brands for 10 hundred million US dollars

Colgate-Palmolive is considering selling Softsoap, Irish Spring, Speed Stick and other personal care assets, with the potential transaction valued at more than 10 hundred million US dollars. It is reported that the company is working with Goldman Sachs to evaluate the possibility of divesting some personal care brands, covering categories such as deodorants, bar soaps, body washes and skincare. In 2025, Colgate's personal care business (including mass and premium brands) accounted for 17% of the group's net sales, approximately 35 hundred million US dollars. This sale plan comes as the company faces increasingly fierce competition in the North American market, with organic sales declining by 3% in the latest quarter, despite a 4.9% growth in the group's net sales. If the deal is completed, Colgate will streamline its personal care product portfolio and concentrate resources on core and high-priority brands, reflecting the trend in the consumer goods industry toward a more focused brand portfolio amid rising costs, tariff pressures and weak consumer spending.

Puig acquires the remaining shares of Isdin for 12 hundred million euros

Spanish beauty group Puig recently announced that it has reached an agreement with the Spanish chemical and pharmaceutical group Corporación Químico-Farmacéutica Esteve (CQFE) to acquire the remaining 50% equity stake it holds in the dermatological skincare brand Isdin, for a transaction amount of 12 hundred million euros. Upon completion of this acquisition, Puig will achieve full ownership of Isdin. Isdin is a leading dermatological skincare brand in Spain, with a strong market position in areas such as sun protection and skin repair, and its products are sold in multiple markets worldwide. In recent years, the Puig Group has continuously strengthened its layout in the high-end beauty and dermatological science sectors through mergers and acquisitions. This full ownership of Isdin will further consolidate its competitiveness in the skincare segment and is expected to help expand its global market by leveraging Isdin's advantages in pharmacy channels. The transaction is still subject to approval by relevant regulatory authorities and is expected to be completed within the next few months.

Shangmei Shares' market capitalization evaporated by over 300 hundred million yuan: first-half net profit fell by nearly eighty percent, selling expense ratio 66%

Shangmei Shares (02145.HK) recently released its interim results for the year 2026, with first-half revenue of 37.56 hundred million yuan, a year-on-year decrease of 8.56%; net profit was 1.1 hundred million yuan, a sharp year-on-year drop of 79.36%. The selling expense ratio climbed to 66%, far higher than Proya's 53%, while the R&D expense ratio was only 3.75%. Following the earnings announcement, the stock price plunged 22.8% in a single day, with a cumulative decline of 78% from last year's high, and market capitalization evaporated by approximately 319 hundred million Hong Kong dollars. The company is heavily reliant on the Kans brand, which accounts for 80.2% of its revenue, but Kans' first-half revenue declined by 20%, and a previous trust crisis triggered by the detection of the banned ingredient EGF in its products further impacted sales. Although the company has launched a multi-brand portfolio, the growth of new brands failed to offset the decline of Kans. Founder Lv Yixiong described the performance as a phase-related fluctuation, noting that positive growth had returned in 7 and 8, but the market remains skeptical about the sustainability of its high marketing-dependence model.

Gansu Jiujianpeng Honeysuckle Technology was placed under investigation and had its production and business operations suspended due to serious deficiencies in its production quality management system.

On 9 month 15 day, the National Medical Products Administration issued a notice stating that during recent unannounced inspections of Gansu Jiujianpeng Honeysuckle Technology Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "Jiujianpeng Honeysuckle Technology"), serious deficiencies were found in the company's production quality management system. The Gansu Provincial Medical Products Administration has ordered it to suspend production and business operations and has formally initiated an investigation. The investigation found that the company violated the Regulations on the Supervision and Administration of Cosmetics and the Good Manufacturing Practices for Cosmetics, with violations in multiple areas including quality assurance and control, material and product management, production process management, and product sales management, such as failure to strictly implement record management, self-inspection systems, incoming inspection, and product release systems. Public information shows that Jiujianpeng Honeysuckle Technology was established in 2020, with registered products covering various categories including body lotion, facial cleanser, hand soap, shower gel, and hair care products. Currently, it is difficult to find products from this brand for sale on major e-commerce platforms. The National Medical Products Administration has required local regulatory authorities to investigate and deal with suspected illegal acts in accordance with the law, assess safety risks, and take emergency control measures when necessary. Production shall not resume until the enterprise completes comprehensive rectification and passes inspection and confirmation by the regulatory authorities. This incident once again highlights the importance of compliant operations for cosmetics manufacturing enterprises; strict unannounced inspections and severe penalties will continue to purify the market environment and safeguard the public's safety in using cosmetics. Industry experts point out that supply chain stability and brand reputation will be significantly affected, and relevant enterprises should take this as a warning and strengthen their full-process quality control systems.

Puig acquires full ownership of skincare brand Isdin, deepening its layout in dermocosmetics

Spanish beauty group Puig has reached an agreement with Corporación Químico-Farmacéutica Esteve (CQFE) to acquire the remaining 50% stake it holds in the skincare brand Isdin, thereby achieving full ownership of the brand. This move marks a new stage in the two parties' 50-year partnership and highlights Puig's strategic intent to further expand its presence in the dermocosmetics sector. Isdin was jointly cultivated by the Puig family and the Esteve family, long positioned at the intersection of science and beauty, and has established significant advantages in both professional dermatology channels and the mass consumer market. Puig Executive Chairman Marc Puig stated that this transaction is a continuation of the shared vision of the past fifty years, and the group will make a long-term commitment to Isdin's team, scientific culture, and sustainable development. Puig Chief Executive Officer Jose Manuel Albesa pointed out that expanding the dermocosmetics business is the group's current strategic focus. Full ownership will provide Isdin with a stronger resource platform to support its next phase of growth in scientific research, innovation investment, and brand building, which is highly consistent with Puig's long-term goal of strengthening its presence in the skincare segment and creating value for stakeholders. Isdin Chief Executive Officer Juan Naya emphasized that the brand will continue to focus on advancing scientific innovation, serving medical professionals and consumers, and supporting the teams and partners who have contributed to its success. He believes that this new chapter lays a solid foundation for Isdin's future development. This acquisition takes place against the backdrop of Puig's steady performance growth. Data shows that, driven by strong demand for fragrances, Puig recorded... in the first half of 2026

Lady Gaga co-founded Outer Bio, launching the Yuna platform to break through bottlenecks in skincare research and development

News from 2026 year 9 month 15 day: Outer Bio, a bioactive ingredient discovery platform co-founded by American entrepreneur Michael Polansky and singer and Haus Labs founder Lady Gaga (Stefani Germanotta), has officially unveiled its core research and development system. The company aims to break the limitations of traditional skincare product development through technological innovation, addressing the growing market demand for high-efficacy skincare products. Outer Bio's core technology is an ex vivo human skin platform named "Yuna." This system enables ex vivo human skin tissue to remain viable and supports continuous measurement and monitoring for up to four weeks. This technological breakthrough aims to address the pain point of slow progress in discovering new active ingredients in the current skincare industry. Polansky pointed out that although the industry frequently uses terms such as "innovation" and "technology," constrained by traditional research methods, the development speed of new ingredients is "glacially slow," resulting in no revolutionary active ingredients superior to retinol or hyaluronic acid emerging for many years. Lady Gaga recently disclosed that she has joined the board of directors of Outer Bio, working alongside CEO Polansky to drive the company's growth. According to Polansky, the inspiration for founding Outer Bio partly stemmed from Gaga's experience operating her beauty brand Haus Labs. Faced with the dilemma of exhausting existing raw material options and difficulty in obtaining deeper efficacy data, Gaga's urgent need to break through the R&D ceiling prompted the collaboration to seek more efficient solutions. Outer Bio was quietly established around 2021, and did not go public until 2026 year 8 month. The company stated that its goal is not innovation for innovation's sake, but based on consumers' ability to distinguish product efficacy...

Puig fully acquires ISDIN, strengthening its strategic layout in dermatological skincare

On 9 15, 2026, Spanish fashion and beauty group Puig announced that it has reached an agreement to acquire the remaining 50% stake in Spanish dermatological skincare brand ISDIN held by Corporación Químico-Farmacéutica Esteve. This move marks the formal end of the two parties' 50-year joint venture relationship, and Puig will achieve full control of ISDIN. This transaction is a key step for Puig to deepen its skincare business landscape. In recent years, dermatological skincare products (Dermocosmetics) have become one of the fastest-growing sub-sectors in the global beauty market due to their professional endorsement and efficacy certainty. Puig has clearly listed such products as a strategic growth priority, aiming to further consolidate its competitive advantage in the professional skincare field through resource integration. Puig stated that full ownership will provide the group with the best platform to support the next stage of business growth and deepen its penetration in key global markets. As a brand with a deep medical background, ISDIN has significant technical barriers and brand loyalty in the fields of sun protection and sensitive skin care. After gaining full control, Puig expects to invest more resources in product research and development, channel expansion, and digital transformation to improve operational efficiency and accelerate internationalization. Industry analysis points out that as consumers' attention to ingredient safety and scientific skincare continues to rise, leading beauty groups are increasing their investment in dermatological brands. Puig's acquisition of all equity this time not only eliminates the decision-making friction that may arise from the joint venture structure, but also provides more flexible strategic execution space in the fiercely competitive global skincare market. In the future, ISDIN is expected to leverage Puig's global distribution network to further expand its influence in the Asian and North American markets.

Puig acquires full ownership of dermatological skincare brand Isdin for 12 hundred million euros

Spanish fashion and beauty group Puig recently announced that it has reached an agreement with Corporación Químico-Farmacéutica Esteve (CQFE) to acquire the remaining 50% equity stake in the dermatological skincare brand Isdin held by CQFE for 12 hundred million euros (approximately 13.9 hundred million US dollars), thereby achieving full ownership of the brand. According to the transaction terms, Puig will pay 9 hundred million euros in cash after the completion of the transaction, which is expected to close in the first quarter of 2027; an additional 3 hundred million euros will be paid as fixed interest-free deferred payment in the first quarter of 2029. The transaction funds will be raised through own funds and financial debt. Puig stated that after the completion of the transaction, its ratio of net debt to adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) will remain below 2.0 times, in line with the company's previous financial guidance. Isdin was jointly developed in depth by Puig and the Esteve family five years ago, renowned for sun care, operating in the dermatological skincare segment at the intersection of health and beauty. Marc Puig, Executive Chairman of Puig, pointed out that this acquisition reflects the shared vision of both families over fifty years, thanked the Esteve family for their contribution and trust, and committed to continuing to dedicate itself to Isdin's scientific culture and long-term development. José Manuel Albesa, Chief Executive Officer of Puig, emphasized that expanding its presence in the dermatological skincare sector is a strategic priority for the group, and that Isdin possesses a unique market position, a strong management team, and a clear strategic direction. Currently, the category of dermatological skincare products, combining medical professionalism with cosmetic attributes, is experiencing strong growth. Through this full acquisition, Puig will further consolidate its position in the field of scientific skincare, integrating resources to drive Isdin's global expansion. This move also reflects…

Puig acquires the remaining 50% equity stake in Isdin held by Esteve for 12 hundred million euros, achieving full ownership.

Spanish beauty and fashion giant Puig Group recently announced that it has reached an agreement with Corporación Químico-Farmacéutica Esteve (CQFE) to acquire its 50% equity stake in the skincare brand Isdin for 12 hundred million euros. Upon completion of the transaction, Puig will achieve 100% full ownership of Isdin. According to the terms of the agreement, Puig will pay 9 hundred million euros in cash at closing, with the expected closing date in the first quarter of 2027; the remaining 3 hundred million euros will be paid as a fixed deferred payment without interest in the first quarter of 2029. The transaction will be funded through a combination of equity and debt financing and is subject to necessary antitrust regulatory approvals. Prior to the completion of the transaction, Isdin will continue to operate normally under its existing corporate governance structure. The cooperation between Puig and the Esteve family dates back 50 years, when they jointly established Isdin through a joint venture aimed at combining scientific research and development with beauty and skincare. Marc Puig, Executive Chairman of Puig, stated that this acquisition is a continuation of the shared vision of the past half-century, and the group is committed to the long-term dedication to Isdin's scientific culture, talent team, and future development. Juan Naya, CEO of Isdin, pointed out that this new chapter will provide a solid platform for the brand's future, continuing to drive science and innovation to serve medical professionals and consumers. Albert Esteve, Chairman of CQFE, emphasized that the agreement is based on full confidence in the future of Isdin under Puig's leadership, and CQFE will continue to focus on the protection and development of its industrial heritage in the health and pharmaceutical sectors. Industry analysis believes that this full acquisition marks Puig's further strengthening of its strategic layout in the field of dermatological skincare. Isd…

SpaceNK appoints Emma Simpson-Scott as Chief Executive Officer

Premium beauty retailer SpaceNK has officially announced the appointment of Emma Simpson-Scott as its new Chief Executive Officer. This personnel change marks a new phase of development for SpaceNK under its parent company, Ulta Beauty. As a globally renowned premium beauty vertical retailer, SpaceNK has been integrating resources to strengthen its market position since being acquired by the U.S. beauty giant Ulta Beauty. Emma Simpson-Scott's appointment is seen as a key step in deepening the company's strategy. According to officially disclosed information, the new management will focus on three core areas: driving business innovation, optimizing the omnichannel retail experience, and ensuring sustained business growth. Industry analysis points out that this appointment reflects Ulta Beauty's emphasis on SpaceNK's brand independence and its unique value in the global premium beauty market. In the current retail environment, consumer demand for personalized services and immersive shopping experiences is growing. Under the leadership of the new CEO, SpaceNK is expected to further integrate Ulta's scale advantages with its own professional expertise in the field of curated beauty. Emma Simpson-Scott possesses extensive retail management experience, and her past track record demonstrates significant success in enhancing brand loyalty and driving digital transformation. The market expects her to lead SpaceNK in consolidating its leading position in the premium segment and creating long-term value for shareholders through differentiated product selection strategies and excellent customer service within the fiercely competitive global beauty retail landscape. Currently, SpaceNK has not disclosed specific details of short-term strategic adjustments, but emphasizes its continued commitment to providing consumers with cutting-edge beauty products and...

Space NK appoints Emma Simpson-Scott as new Chief Executive Officer

UK premium beauty retailer Space NK officially announced on 2026 year 9 month 13 day the appointment of Emma Simpson-Scott as the company's new Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. Simpson-Scott succeeds Andy Lightfoot, who stepped down after leading the company through a period of significant growth and transformation and completing the major strategic adjustment of being acquired by Ulta Beauty. Andy Lightfoot served at Space NK for ten years, during which he not only drove the brand's business expansion and market transformation but also led the merger transaction with US beauty giant Ulta Beauty. Space NK expressed sincere gratitude for Lightfoot's service over the past ten years and wished him all the best in his future career. This senior leadership change occurs during a critical integration period following Ulta Beauty's completion of the acquisition of Space NK. As a globally renowned premium beauty specialty retailer, Space NK is known for its curated portfolio of niche and luxury brands. Through this acquisition, Ulta Beauty has further strengthened its global presence and supply chain capabilities in the premium beauty sector. Emma Simpson-Scott's appointment is seen as an important step for both parties to deepen integration, optimize operational efficiency, and expand into international markets. Industry observers point out that the new CEO will face the challenge of leveraging Ulta's vast retail network to achieve synergies while maintaining Space NK's unique brand identity. This personnel change marks Space NK's entry into a new management phase in the post-acquisition era, and its subsequent strategy execution will have a lasting impact on the global premium beauty retail landscape.

Khloé Kardashian’s fragrance brand enters Sephora and expands into the Canadian market

On 2026 year, 9 month, 14 day, the fragrance brand founded by reality TV star Khloé Kardashian and developed in partnership with Luxe Brands officially announced a retail collaboration with global beauty retailer Sephora. Starting this Monday, three of the brand’s fragrances—XO Blue, XO Khloé, and Almost Always—are available at 1300 Sephora stores and Sephora at Kohl’s counters across the United States. At the same time, the brand is entering the Canadian market for the first time, exclusively through Sephora Canada stores. Tony Bajaj, CEO of Luxe Brands, stated that this expansion validates the brand’s genuine momentum and long-term viability. He emphasized that Sephora is not the end goal, but another milestone in building a globally significant fragrance brand. Currently, the team’s focus is on execution and continuing to earn consumer loyalty. In less than two years, the brand has successfully entered multiple international retail channels, including Ulta, Harrods, Boots, Superdrug, The Perfume Shop, and Myer, and has established exclusive partnerships with European premium retailer Douglas in 19 countries. Industry insiders note that the brand’s global retail sales are expected to exceed 5000 ten thousand US dollars this year. Addressing the highly competitive celebrity fragrance market, Noreen Dodge, Chief Marketing Officer of Luxe Brands, pointed out that the brand’s differentiated advantage lies in Khloé Kardashian’s deep involvement. This is not a simple endorsement relationship, but a combination of cultural influence, an aspirational lifestyle, and a highly interactive consumer community. Khloé herself is directly involved in the creative process, while Luxe provides the means to turn concepts…

Beiersdorf CEO warns that tightening EU regulations may weaken industry competitiveness

Vincent Warnery, CEO of Beiersdorf, the parent company of Nivea, recently stated in an interview with the German Press Agency that increasingly strict regulatory requirements could "overburden" the European cosmetics industry, thereby jeopardizing the region's leadership position in the global market. Warnery emphasized that while European skincare products already adhere to the world's most stringent quality standards, regulators continue to demand the removal of ingredients that pose no risk under normal use. He warned that such overregulation could cause the European beauty industry to repeat the mistakes of the automotive sector, losing its innovative vitality and market competitiveness. Warnery contrasted this with competitors in major markets such as the United States, China, and South Korea, who face relatively lighter regulatory burdens, putting European companies at a disadvantage in terms of cost and compliance pressure. He specifically criticized the draft revision of the EU Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive, which proposes requiring cosmetics and pharmaceutical manufacturers to bear pollution control costs. Warnery argued that although the cosmetics industry contributes minimally to environmental pollution, this policy would force companies to pay substantial fees, constituting an unfair economic burden. This statement is not an isolated case. Earlier this year, Warnery joined giants such as L'Oréal in calling on EU policymakers to transition from being "global primary regulators" to "primary innovation drivers" to protect the beauty industry, valued at 1800 hundred million euros. The "Beauty Value Alliance," composed of executives from 17 beauty and personal care companies, also issued a similar warning in 3 month, pointing out that if regulatory directions are not adjusted in time, one of Europe's most competitive industries will face the risk of decline. This series of high-level statements reflects the deep concern of multinational beauty groups regarding changes in the EU regulatory environment, and it is expected that industry lobbying efforts will further intensify in the future to seek a balance between regulation and innovation.

LVMH CEO Bernard Arnault has fallen out of the global top ten richest people list for the first time since 2017.

According to the latest data from the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, Bernard Arnault, chairman and CEO of luxury giant LVMH Group, slipped to the 11 position last week, trailing behind investor Warren Buffett. This marks the first time since 2017 that Arnault has failed to enter the ranks of the world's top ten wealthiest individuals, signaling a further consolidation of the dominance of U.S. tech industry leaders on wealth rankings. Data shows that since the beginning of 2026, Arnault's personal wealth has shrunk by approximately 650 hundred million US dollars, currently standing at about 1430 hundred million US dollars. Despite fluctuations in net worth, documents filed by LVMH with regulators show that Arnault's fixed annual salary for 2026 remained at 110 ten thousand euros (approximately 113.8 ten thousand euros), flat with 2025. As the controlling shareholder of LVMH, Arnault and his family hold 50.01% of the group's shares, with businesses covering well-known beauty brands such as Guerlain, Benefit Cosmetics, and Fenty Beauty. This change in ranking reflects the broader context of slowing growth in the global luxury goods market. Since the beginning of this year, the impact of geopolitical conflicts, particularly the situation in the Middle East, on the business environment, as well as weak consumption against a high base, have exerted certain pressure on valuations in the luxury goods industry. In addition, earlier this year, Arnault was required to pay an additional 2250 ten thousand euros in taxes due to a long-standing tax dispute with French authorities, which also had a short-term impact on his personal financial situation. Although dropping out of the top ten list, Arnault remains firmly among the world's top-tier wealthy individuals. This change more reflects the redistribution of wealth brought about by the recent strong performance of tech stocks, rather than a fundamental deterioration in LVMH's fundamentals. For the beauty and luxury goods industry, while wealth fluctuations among leaders of leading companies do not directly change operational strategies, they can...

Amway sues Amazon seller for alleged unauthorized sales of products

On 2026 year 9 month 14 day, direct selling giant Amway filed a lawsuit in the U.S. federal district court, accusing Florida e-commerce seller Bregener Store and its operator of trademark infringement, on the grounds that the seller sold Amway-branded products on the Amazon platform without authorization. Amway pointed out that a large number of products bearing the Amway trademark sold by the seller involved in the case have substantial differences from genuine products because they have not gone through the company's strict quality control and customer service processes. As a company adopting a direct selling model, Amway sells products to U.S. consumers only through its official website and authorized distributors. The company emphasized that unauthorized sales on third-party market platforms may cause consumers to come into contact with damaged, tampered, expired, or improperly packaged products, thereby causing safety hazards and damaging brand reputation. According to the lawsuit documents, Amway sent a cease and desist letter and subsequent notices to Bregener Store in 2025 year, but the relevant sales activities are still continuing. At present, Amway is seeking a permanent injunction from the court to prohibit the seller from continuing to provide related products, and is asserting other legal remedies. This case highlights the channel control challenges faced by cosmetics and personal care companies in the digital retail environment. As e-commerce platforms become important sales channels, brands face greater pressure in maintaining product quality consistency, ensuring supply chain traceability, and safeguarding consumer experience. Unauthorized parallel imports or resale activities may not only disrupt the established price system, but may also bring compliance risks due to the difficulty in distinguishing the authenticity of products. Industry observers believe that this lawsuit reflects the determination of brand owners to strengthen intellectual property protection and purify the online distribution environment, and is expected to have a demonstrative effect on regulating third-party platform sales behavior in the beauty industry.

Barington Capital takes a stake in Bath & Body Works and pushes it to explore a sale

On 2026 year, 9 month, 14 day, activist investor Barington Capital announced that it holds more than 100 ten thousand shares of the U.S. personal care and fragrance retailer Bath & Body Works, and formally wrote to the company's management, urging it to explore potential options for a full sale. Barington Capital pointed out that, given the frequent changes in management and weak financial performance in recent years, the company's current market value is severely undervalued. The firm advised Bath & Body Works to immediately engage advisors to assess the possibility of a sale, believing that this move is likely to attract strong interest from private equity and other buyers. In addition, Barington Capital called on the company to implement a share buyback program and consider seeking board seats to effectively enhance shareholder value. Since 2021 years ago, when its former parent company L Brands spun off Victoria's Secret and renamed itself Bath & Body Works, the company's stock price has cumulatively fallen by approximately 78%, and its net profit has also declined by nearly 50%. Currently, Bath & Body Works operates approximately 1900 stores in the United States and Canada, and has approximately 550 stores in international markets. The intervention by this activist investor has significantly increased the pressure on the company to accelerate business transformation or engage in strategic transactions, potentially making this global leading specialty fragrance and personal care retailer a focal target in the mergers and acquisitions market. Industry observers believe that if the sale process is initiated, it may trigger significant structural adjustments in the beauty retail sector, while also reflecting the valuation challenges and urgency of transformation faced by traditional brick-and-mortar retail in responding to market changes.

Beiersdorf CEO warns that EU regulatory costs may weaken the industry's global competitiveness

[YAN BEAUTY REVIEW] Beiersdorf Chief Executive Officer Vincent Warnery recently issued a warning, pointing out that increasingly stringent EU regulatory measures may weaken the global competitiveness of European cosmetics manufacturers, placing them at a disadvantage in competition with international rivals. Warnery pointed out that, compared with peers in major markets such as the United States, China, and South Korea, European cosmetics companies face a heavier regulatory burden. He emphasized that European skincare products are already implementing some of the strictest quality standards in the world, yet new regulatory requirements continue to increase. He specifically questioned the requirement to remove certain ingredients that pose no risk under normal conditions of use, arguing that this move lacks scientific basis. In addition, Warnery criticized the EU's plan to amend rules on urban wastewater treatment. The new regulations require cosmetics and pharmaceutical companies to contribute to pollution control costs. Warnery stated that although companies such as Beiersdorf account for a very small share of overall pollution emissions, they will still face huge compliance costs, and this mechanism of liability allocation is clearly unfair. This statement reflects widespread concern within the industry about the rising cumulative costs of EU regulation. Analysts believe that excessive regulatory pressure may suppress enterprises' motivation for innovation and willingness to invest, thereby affecting the long-term competitiveness of European cosmetics manufacturers in the global market. As competition in the global beauty market intensifies, how to strike a balance between ensuring consumer safety and maintaining industrial vitality has become an important issue facing EU policymakers. Industry players call on regulators to fully assess the potential impact of new policies on industrial economics and the innovation environment when introducing them, so as to avoid unnecessary compliance burdens hindering industry development.