Financial focus

UK natural products market latest: competitive

UK natural products market latest: competitive

By Lucy Whitehouse

Naturals in the UK beauty market have seen sales increase by nearly 30% since 2012 and now the market is facing an  increasingly competitive landscape, according to new research.

Symrise enjoys strong half-year showing

Symrise enjoys strong half-year showing

By Lucy Whitehouse

Symrise has released its half-year results, and notes that it has increased sales in all segments and regions, and is one of the fastest-growing companies in the industry.

Avon struggles continue as losses mount

Avon struggles continue as losses mount

By Lucy Whitehouse

In a continuation of its recent poor performances, Avon again announced a quarterly loss with its most recent, second-quarter statement.

Beiersdorf resilient in face of cyber attack

Beiersdorf resilient in face of cyber attack

By Lucy Whitehouse

Nivea's parent company has released its second quarter results, which show that although growth was slightly held back by a cyber attack, it still reported a 3.3% rise in underlying first-half sales.

Novacap acquires specialty chemicals player Chemoxy

Novacap acquires specialty chemicals player Chemoxy

By Lucy Whitehouse

Novacap, a worldwide player in the pharmaceutical and chemical industries, announced today that it has signed an agreement to acquire Chemoxy International Ltd, a leading contract manufacturer for specialty chemicals and environmentally friendly solvents.

Unilever is keeping ahead of its markets

Unilever is keeping ahead of its markets

By Lucy Whitehouse

In its half-year results, Unilever has revealed that it is enjoying profitable growth, keeping it ahead of its market with its profits jumping by a fifth.

Avon Products says this is the last leadership change, for now

Avon Products says this is the last leadership change, for now

By Deanna Utroske

This week the direct sales beauty company announced the appointment of a new chief operating officer. And in making the announcement, Avon Products assured investors, the industry, and the public that the company is now moving full speed ahead toward...

Hourglass will become Unilever’s first color cosmetics brand

Hourglass will become Unilever’s first color cosmetics brand

By Deanna Utroske

The personal care company announced on Tuesday that a deal has been struck to acquire the makeup brand Hourglass. It’s the latest in a string of Unilever acquisitions to bring prestige personal care and beauty brands onboard.  

Dr. Straetmans GmbH acquired by Evonik

Dr. Straetmans GmbH acquired by Evonik

By Lucy Whitehouse

Evonik has acquired Hamburg-based cosmetics ingredients manufacturer Dr Straetmans GmbH for reportedly just under 100 million euros ($107 million).

Safic-Alcan Poland acquires personal care distributor

Safic-Alcan Poland acquires personal care distributor

By Lucy Whitehouse

Safic-Alcan Poland, distributor of specialty chemicals and subsidiary of the Safic-Alcan Group, has announced the acquisition of Cosmetics Partner, a Polish distributor specialized in the personal care sector.

Symrise enjoys ‘seamless’ first quarter results

Symrise enjoys ‘seamless’ first quarter results

By Lucy Whitehouse

Symrise, a major flavours, fragrances and ingredients player, has released its Q1 results for 2017, and described itself as having “seamless continued its strong performance from the previous year”.

Groupe GM’s global distribution deal for SAMPAR

Groupe GM’s global distribution deal for SAMPAR

By Lucy Whitehouse

A leading amenities player in the hospitality industry, Groupe GM, has announced a continued collaboration with a leading Spanish hotel chain with a specially created SAMPAR Paris range.

Birkenstock ready for skin care expansion

Birkenstock ready for skin care expansion

By Lucy Whitehouse

German manufacturer most famous for its cork sandals, Birkenstock, is taking the plunge into skin care, hoping to maximise on its ‘wholesome’ brand image to court consumer demand for naturals.

Firmenich appoints new head of fine fragrance

Firmenich appoints new head of fine fragrance

By Lucy Whitehouse

Firmenich, one of the global leaders in the fragrance and flavour space, has announced the appointment of Jerry Vittoria as its new head of fine fragrance worldwide.

Packaging: Silgan acquires WestRock division

Packaging: Silgan acquires WestRock division

By Lucy Whitehouse

Silgan Holdings Inc., a leading supplier of rigid packaging for consumer goods products, has announced that it has completed its acquisition of the dispensing systems business of WestRock Company.

What will it take to turn around The Body Shop? Part II

What will it take to turn around The Body Shop? Part II

By Simon Pitman

Once the darling of the cosmetics world, The Body Shop has lost its sparkle in recent years. So what will it take to reinvigorate the business and who is best positioned to take on the challenge?

Kraft Heinz hostile Unilever bid sparks UK debate

Kraft Heinz hostile Unilever bid sparks UK debate

By Simon Pitman

Following on from the failed attempt by Kraft Heinz to acquire consumer giant Unilever, a UK politician has argued that there needs to be greater protection from foreign takeover bids.

Brexit and beauty: the current situation

Brexit and beauty: the current situation

By CTPA

A guest article on the current situation for the beauty and personal care industry in the face of Brexit uncertainty from the Cosmetic Toiletry & Perfumery Association, the UK's major trade group. 

Could Unilever’s personal care unit dominate alone?

Could Unilever’s personal care unit dominate alone?

By Lucy Whitehouse

Following the bid for a Unilever takeover by Kraft Heinz last month, Unilever is undergoing a comprehensive internal review. We take a look at the case for splitting up its business units, and whether personal care could dominate alone.