Key takeaways on potential Barry M sale
- Barry M is seeking a buyer after entering a temporary moratorium due to increased manufacturing costs.
- The colour cosmetics brand has appointed Begbies Traynor to advise on restructuring options.
- Despite rising turnover and improved profitability in its latest accounts, the business cited geopolitical pressures affecting costs.
- The family-owned brand, founded in the 1970s, recently rebranded to appeal to younger consumers.
- Restructuring experts appointed as cost pressures escalate
- Accounts show rising turnover despite challenging conditions
Heritage colour cosmetics brand Barry M is seeking a buyer after moving toward administration due to heightened manufacturing costs.
The business is said to be working with restructuring experts at business recovery specialist firm Begbies Traynor.
The UK-based brand, which is known for its bright colours and mass‑market price point and is sold in major retailers such as Boots and Superdrug, recently warned that geopolitical issues were affecting its costs.
Its latest available accounts, which were filed on 29 February 2024, showed a rise in turnover from £15 million to £17.4 million, while pre‑tax profits increased from £36,851 to £172,197.
Rebranded to appeal to younger consumers
The family‑owned business was founded by entrepreneur Barry Mero on a market stall in East London in the 1970s. Mero’s son Dean took over the business in 2014 when his father passed away.
In 2024, Barry M rebranded in a bid to appeal to a younger audience. At the time, it said that people were “moving away from airbrushed ideals and embracing individuality, whether that means unretouched skin, unconventional features or self‑expression through tattoos and piercings”.
The brand’s potential administration reflects wider difficulties across the UK retail and beauty sectors. Over the past year, several well-known brands have entered insolvency processes or reduced footprints as consumer spending slows down.
