Top 5 most-read stories September 2020: Watsons ME expansion, social media challenges and natural beauty

A round-up of CosmeticsDesign-Europe’s most-read news from September 2020 shows significant interest in Watsons expanding into the Middle East and experts discussing cosmetic claims, natural beauty and green chemistry.

Significant beauty retail move​

At the beginning of September, Asia-Pacific retail major A.S Watson Group announced plans to expand its Watsons beauty chain into the Middle East through an exclusive franchise agreement with regional conglomerate Al-Futtaim. Starting with a flagship store opening in Dubai, the move would see the group open 100 stores in the region.

Industry onlookers labelled the expansion immensely significant for the wider beauty retail market.

Social media, natural claims, green chemistry​

In an expert interview with a cosmetic claims specialist, the darker side of social media was discussed – portrayed as a space that gave voice and reach to misinformation in the beauty world.

With significant investments made in social media presence, it’s unsurprising this coverage racked up plenty of clicks.

In separate expert interviews focused on natural beauty, Euromonitor International noted that natural beauty claims may no longer be enough to draw in consumers and a green chemistry expert suggested industry ought to stretch efforts further.

Defending beauty formulations​

At the very beginning of September, the French Federation for Beauty Companies (FEBEA) denounced a ‘harmful cosmetics’ list published by National Consumer Institute-owned magazine 60 million de consommateurs.

The trade association questioned the methodology used to obtain such a list and reiterated that any cosmetic, personal care or beauty product on the French market was subject to strict EU regulations and every ingredient within a formulation safe. FEBEA said the report published in the consumer magazine was simply ‘anxiety-provoking’.

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