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This week, Macy’s, Nordstrom, Harrods are rethinking their layouts and investing in experiences to recapture the luxury beauty customer, Bloomingdale's has partnered with Universal Pictures' upcoming movie, "Wicked", and more.
RETAIL NEWS
Vuori Picks London’s Regent Street for First International Flagship
Vuori has opened its first international flagship on Regent Street in London, and founder Joe Kudla can’t quite believe it’s happening. "The U.K. is a very important market," said Vuori's founder and chief executive officer Joe Kudla. "It's a fashion capital, and a gateway to the world."
Jacquemus Is Seeking a Minority Investor
Simon Porte Jacquemus, the charismatic French designer known for his sun-soaked, pop minimalist aesthetic, is seeking a minority investor to support his brand’s expansion. In a luxury market dominated by corporate mega-brands, the designer has decided he needs additional funding to take his business to the next level, notably by opening new stores. In its first retail push outside France, Jacquemus inaugurated a flagship store in New York’s Soho neighbourhood earlier this month, with openings in London’s New Bond Street and Los Angeles’ Melrose Avenue slated for November and February, respectively.
Simon Property Group misses quarterly funds from operations estimates
Commercial real estate investment trust Simon Property Group missed market expectations for third-quarter funds from operations (FFO) on Friday, hurt by softer leasing demand at its mixed-use shopping centers.
The artification of luxury fashion
The worlds of art and fashion are increasingly intersecting. It’s evident in the locations of brands’ marketing activations, the inspirations behind designers’ seasonal collections and the guest curators of art authorities’ exhibits. For fashion brands, depending on the play, aligning with the art world works to appeal to more interests of affluent consumers. Of course, it also makes it more feasible to position their products as investment pieces.
Inside Department Stores’ Plans to Bring Beauty Customers Back
This holiday season will see swells for beauty counter foot traffic and programming, with Macy’s, Nordstrom, Harrods and more rethinking their layouts and investing in experiences to recapture the luxury customer.
Blackstone In Talks to Acquire Retail Opportunity Investments Corp, Sources Say
The private equity firm is in advanced talks to acquire ROIC which owns over 90 shopping centres in the US, according to people familiar with the matter.
The Secrets to Aritzia’s Explosive Growth, According to Its Superfans
The retailer’s idiosyncratic approach, from its price point to its fitting rooms, has allowed the chain to rapidly scale in recent years.
Burberry Shares Jump on Report of Potential Moncler Bid
Shares in Burberry on a report that Moncler could be considering a bid for the U.K. trench coat maker, which is currently pursuing a turnaround. According to a report published in Miss Tweed, an independent Paris-based medium focused on fashion and luxury, the Italian maker of upscale puffer jackets could make an offer for the British group with an eye on creating a specialized outdoor giant.
The Future of Fifth Avenue’s Retail Transformation
Fifth Avenue’s transformation from an exclusive luxury destination to a hodgepodge blend of retail reflects a broader bifurcation within the fashion industry. On one side, high-end brands struggle to maintain exclusivity and relevance amid rising costs and shifting consumer values. On the other hand, discount retailers, fueled by the explosive growth of digital-first platforms like SHEIN and TEMU, are thriving by offering budget-conscious shoppers trendy, affordable options.
Tom Ford Buys £80 Million London Mansion in Year’s Top Deal
The transaction is one of this year’s rare high points for London’s property market that’s suffered a slump in luxury-home deals partly due to highly anticipated reforms affecting wealthy UK residents.’
Bloomingdale’s Gets Into ‘Wickedly’ Good Spirits for the Holidays
The retailer has partnered with Universal Pictures' upcoming movie, "Wicked," with immersive activations, exclusive products including an Aqua collection and the 59th Street window unveiling.
BEAUTY NEWS
Benefit’s Holiday Benemart Goes From Selfridges to Virtual World
Benefit Cosmetics’ grocery-themed beauty pop-up, Benemart, is going from physical reality at Selfridges to the immersive web to spread some holiday cheer to the virtual world.
In the age of TikTok, fast beauty isn't completely disappearing. However, many brands are taking a slower approach to product development due to regulatory and testing constraints, cost pressures, market crowding and sustainability measures. "The focus has moved from flooding the market with rapid-fire launches to making a significant impact with fewer, more meaningful products. This contrasts sharply with the 'fast beauty' mentality of the past, where speed was the main priority."
Estée Lauder’s New CEO Faces Tough Crowd as Investors Push for Change — Barron’s
Estée Lauder confirmed Wednesday it was naming company insider Stéphane de La Faverie its chief executive, snuffing out any investor hopes that the cosmetics company would bring on an outside hire to head up the company’s turnaround efforts.
US brands face rising consumer demand for sustainability, says Mintel report
Mintel’s 2025 Global Beauty and Personal Care Trends report reveals a rising demand among US consumers for beauty brands to lead in sustainability and environmental responsibility, driving companies to adopt innovative practices in sourcing, transparency, and product development.
Beauty Dupes & Aspirational Beauty: How to Capture Gen Z & Millennial Spending
Notably, 33% of surveyed consumers regret overspending on beauty; this skyrockets to 52% for Gen Z and 40% for millennials.
Inside Cassandra Grey’s 2025 plans for Violet Grey
Cassandra Grey has a renewed vision for Violet Grey after reacquiring the brand in September. With plans for retail expansion, international growth and a "white glove" e-commerce experience, Grey aims to establish Violet Grey as the ultimate destination for curated beauty.
How Big Box Retailers Won Over Premium Beauty Brands
Mass retailers like Target and Walmart have invested heavily in their beauty offerings, attracting a fresh crop of indie brands – as well as increasing their overall basket size. For brands wanting a slice of the action, scaling up is necessary.
U.K. and U.S. Beauty Transactions Continue to Decline in Q3
The losses are leveling off, while fragrance and younger consumers are bright spots in the business. Direct-to-consumer beauty transactions were down 7 percent year-on-year in the U.K. and 10 percent the U.S. during the third quarter of 2024, according to Consumer Edge’s most recent beauty digest.
The Global Wellness Industry Is Now Worth $6.3 Trillion
The global wellness industry was worth $6.32 trillion in 2023, according to a new report from the Global Wellness Institute, a leading industry group. That’s 25% larger than it was in 2019, making it bigger than the sports and pharmaceutical industries. The largest of the 11 sectors is personal care and beauty, which the report values at $1.21 trillion alone.
Despite recent layoffs, Gwyneth has found her groove in the food business and gotten serious (no more vagina candles) about her beauty brand. But can her wry, in-on-the-joke WASP aesthetic and celebrity icon status overcome C-suite troubles and find her an exit?
How Revolve is growing its beauty category
Revolve is evolving its beauty category six years after its launch. When expanding into beauty in 2018, Revolve began with a small curated assortment of beauty brands, eventually expanding to 35 brands in 2019. Now, Revolve carries over 350 brands across beauty categories.
COMINGS & GOINGS
