L’Oréal 2017 profile: changes, challenges and strengths

Digital​

To start with an overarching theme for the company, market research firm Euromonitor International​ pointed out earlier this year that L'Oréal's primary focus of late has been aligning itself closely to digital innovation.

“As it faces dynamic niche brands, the company is stepping up acquisition activity and alliances with beauty tech start-ups to renew its portfolio and innovation strategy,​” confirms Euromonitor.

“As smart diagnostics, healthy living and experience take hold in the industry, L'Oréal needs to steer its future course to these consumer megatrends. Mass beauty also requires a focus on reinvention and premiumisation as quality is no longer confined to premium labels.​”​

An eye on the microbiome?​

The skin care sector has been quick to start working out how to tap into the potential of the microbiome in recent months, but L’Oréal’s ongoing research suggests it is time for the hair care segment to start innovating in this space too.

Find our exclusive interview with Cécile Clavaud, research engineer, Open Research, for L’Oréal Research & Innovation, on the topic here​.

Animal testing alternatives success​

Sticking with the area of research and innovation, L’Oréal made headlines recently during this year for its launch of two new animal testing alternative methods, approved by the OECD.

The two methods assess for skin allergy and eye irritation, the company says, and both are able to be used in place of animal testing. Find our full report here​.

People: appointments and a death​

The global beauty giant recently announced ​that Lucia Dumas will be joining its executive committee as executive vice president of communication and public affairs.

The appointment is effective from the start of next year, with Dumas coming to the role as successor to Isabel Marey-Semper, who is stepping aside to ‘pursue her professional career outside the company’.

In sad news for the company, Liliane Bettencourt, L’Oréal’s founder’s daughter​, died aged 94, following a lifelong commitment to the company.

Environmental efforts: world leading​

Along with Unilever, L’Oréal was picked out as one of the two ‘best companies in the world’​ for sustainable practices by sustainability indexing company, CDP.

L’Oréal and Unilever were given an A grade for efforts across the three CDP programmes of climate, water and forests.