Saudi Arabia’s Nice One plans IPO
Saudi beauty retailer, Nice One is poised to list on the stock exchange. The online cosmetics seller is said to have invited banks to tender for the deal, although further details, such as the timing and size of the IPO are yet to be revealed.
An all-time record: Dubai Duty Free’s FY2023 sales surge 24.39 percent
Dubai Duty Free has announced an all-time sales record of DHS7.885 billion for 2023, up 24.39 percent over the previous year. Compared to pre-pandemic results in 2019, sales rose 6.4 percent.
Dubai Duty Free Partners Alipay+
Dubai Duty Free has partnered with Alipay+ to offer a seamless travel and checkout experience for international visitors at Dubai and Al Maktoum International airports.
Avalon Pharma Announces IPO Plans
Avalon Pharma, a Saudi-based pharmaceutical company, has announced its intention to list on the Saudi Exchange’s main market.
Wavemaker scoops L’Oréal MENA media duties
L’Oreal has appointed GroupM’s Wavemaker MENA to handle its media duties for the MENA region.
Clinique La Prairie’s Wellness Hub Opens in Dubai
The One&Only One Za’abeel, a new urban resort in Dubai, is opening Clinique La Prairie’s (CLP) first Longevity Hub in the UAE in March 2024.
P&G Halts Operations in Nigeria
Procter & Gamble (P&G) has decided to stop its on-ground operations in and move to an import-based model.
Huda Kattan: beauty has an inclusivity problem
Huda Kattan thinks that the beauty industry has a long way to go before it can consider itself inclusive. The owner of Huda Beauty said that representation is moving ‘at a snail’s pace’ and that the beauty industry is sexist.
Mary Kay Joins Global Shea
Mary Kay Inc., a global beauty brand, has joined the Global Shea Alliance (GSA), a non-profit focused on creating a sustainable and competitive shea industry.
UAE and South Korea Conclude Bilateral Trade Agreement
South Korea has reached a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), a form of free trade agreement (FTA), with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), marking South Korea’s first FTA with an Arab nation.
Dr PawPaw’s Your Gorgeous Skin range makes its debut in the UAE
Dr PawPaw’s Your Gorgeous Skin range has made its debut in the UAE. The natural and vegan skin care solutions have hit shelves at Life Pharmacy and Watsons across the region.
Shukran Korea Unveils Halal-Check Platform for Korean Products
Shukran Korea Inc., a Korean startup, has developed a platform that provides Halal and allergenic safety checks for Korean cosmetics and food products, targeting the Middle Eastern market.
La Bouche Rouge’s New Beginnings
French premium makeup brand La Bouche Rouge, has been sold to Dilesh Mehta’s Dubia-based holding company, Beauty Brands Global.
Qatar Duty Free announces two executive hires
Qatar Duty Free has named Grant Fleming as Vice President, Food & Beverage and Nuno Moreira as Vice President, Strategy & Commercial, effective immediately.
Inter Parfums elects new Board Member
Inter Parfums has announced that it has elected Gerard Kappauf to its Board of Directors. The company has also announced the retirement of Michel Dyens and Parick Choel, bringing the total number of board members to nine.
PZ Cussons to buy back Nigerian unit’s shares and delist
PZ Cussons has announced that it has made an offer to acquire the minority-held shares of its Nigerian unit. On completion, the UK manufacturer of St Tropez will de-list the business from the Nigerian stock exchange.
Israeli Court Rejects Trademark Claims Against Oil De Lamor
‘Oréal, Coty & Revlon have lost a lawsuit against Israeli company Oil De Lamor for allegedly selling perfumes resembling their scent and name brands.
EHRDC and L’Oréal Partner to Enhance Emiratisation Through Skill Development
An alliance has been formed between the Emirati Human Resources Development Council (EHRDC) and L’Oréal Middle East
Oddity Outdoes Itself: IPO Launch Rockets Firm’s Valuation to $2B!
Oddity Tech Ltd., a beauty and wellness firm, has raised a substantial $424 million through an initial public offering (IPO), surpassing expectations
Kendall Jenner Soars to New Heights as L’Oréal Paris’ Global Ambassador
Supermodel Kendall Jenner has been announced as the new global ambassador for L’Oréal Paris, with her debut campaign launching in September.
Taliban orders closure of all beauty salons in Afghanistan
The Taliban has ordered that all beauty salons in Afghanistan must close their doors for good next month, according to a report published by The Wall Street Journal.
Nivea Nigeria launches Radiant & Beauty range for melanin rich skin
Nivea Nigeria has launched a new body care range designed for melanin-rich skin, according to a report published by Business Day. The range comprises two products: Advanced Care for dry skin and Even Glow to even skin tone.
Henkel’s Chennai plant hits carbon neutral target
Henkel has announced that its plant in Chennai has become carbon neutral, according to a report published by The Week. The Indian factory is the company’s second facility to hit this milestone in the India, Middle East and Africa region.
Rwanda’s FDA recalls all talc-based Johnson’s Baby Powder
Rwanda’s Food and Drug Authority (FDA) has recalled all talc-based Johnson’s Baby Powder, according to a report published by Citizen Digital.
L’Oréal Israel opens SkinCare Campus for content creators
L’Oréal Israel has announced a new training program aimed at influencers and content creators, according to a report published by the Jerusalem Post. The free, six-week course will include classes from dermatologists, senior marketing managers and social media experts.
Qatar Duty Free marks World Environment Day with reusable bags
In honor of World Environment Day’s campaign to #BeatPlasticPollution, Qatar Duty Free is replacing single-use plastic bags with locally sourced, reusable cotton totes at its eight Hamad International Airport Day-to-Day Essential Stores, according to a report published at DFI online.
Garnier: Kenya wants green beauty and we will deliver
Garnier has launched its Pure Active AHA-BHA charcoal serum onto the Kenyan market, according to a report published by Capital FM. The L’Oréal-owned brand said that there was growing demand for environmentally conscious products in the East African market.
Unilever Arabia takes fleet electric
Unilever Arabia has added an electric vehicle to its fleet for the first time, according to a report published by Arabian Business. The UK-based FMCG manufacturer’s electric van can travel 300km on a single charge and has a payload capacity of 1400kg.
Henkel Nigeria launches ‘safe space’ for female entrepreneurs
Henkel Nigeria has launched a platform designed to give women the opportunity to discuss the issues that affect their day-to-day lives, such as business, health and wellness, finance, relationships and motherhood, among others, according to a report published by the Independent.
Shein cuts ribbon on EMEA headquarters
Shein has announced the official opening of its Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) headquarters in Dublin, Ireland.
Emirates teams up with Dior and Davines to create crew beauty hub
Emirates has announced the launch of a bespoke beauty hub for cabin crew in Dubai in collaboration with Dior Beauty and Davines.
Shiseido cuts ribbon on Shiseido Ginza store in Dubai
Shiseido has announced the opening of its first Shiseido Ginza Tokyo brand store outside of Japan. Operated in partnership with Majid Al Futtaim Lifestyle, the new Dubai location has been described as a ‘significant milestone’ for the J-beauty brand’s expansion plans.
War in Sudan prompts supply chain scramble for gum arabic alternative
Following escalating violence in Sudan, one of the world’s major gum arabic suppliers, FMCG manufacturers face yet another supply chain crisis, according to a report published by Reuters.
Unilever Nigeria partners with Wecyclers to expand plastic recycling
Together with Bridges Outcomes Partnerships, Unilever Nigeria has signed a US$2 million partnership with Wecyclers to help tackle plastic waste in the African country, according to a report published by Leadership.
Maybelline names Ayra Starr named as Sub-Saharan African spokesperson
Maybelline has named Ayra Starr as its new Sub-Saharan African spokesperson.
Maybelline debuts global Ramadan campaign
L’Oréal-owned Maybelline has debuted a campaign for Ramadan starring Chilean-Palestinian singer Elyanna, Egyptian actor Amira Addeb and Kuwaiti influencer Khattafya, according to a report published by Arab News.
Unilever Nigeria to pull out of home care, skin cleansing categories
Unilever Nigeria has announced that it is to exit the home care and skin cleansing markets by the end of the year, according to a report published by the Voice of Nigeria, quoting a regulatory filing.
Delta Brands signs franchise deal with Bath & Body Works Israel
Israel’s Delta Brands has signed an exclusive franchise deal to set up and run the Bath & Body Works brand in the Middle Eastern country, according to a report published by the Jerusalem Post.
L’Oréal Israel names TikTok star to sustainability influencer team
L’Oréal Israel has named Maya Dagan to its team of sustainability influencers, according to a report published by the Jerusalem Post.
Sunsilk eyes Ethiopian market with launch of bespoke haircare range
Unilever-owned Sunsilk is eyeing development in the Ethiopian haircare market with the launch of a new bespoke range.
LVMH teams up with Cosmetic Valley to fund new conservation effort in West Africa
LVMH has teamed up with beauty industry coalition Cosmetic Valley to fund a new conservation effort in West Africa, according to a report by Vogue Business.
L’Oréal names Manging Director for East Africa region
L’Oréal has named Yassine Bakkari as the Managing Director for the East African region. In his new role, Bakkari will oversee operations in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and Ethiopia, according to a report published by The Star.
PZ Cussons Nigeria appoints Board Chair
PZ Cussons Nigerian arm has named Ifueko Omoigui Okauru as Chair of its board. The former Chair of the Federal Inland Revenue Service replaces Gbenga Oyebode who retired, effective January 25.
Nivea appoints Power League Gaming to relaunch female gaming community in Middle East
Beiersdorf-owned Nivea has appointed Power League Gaming (PLG) as the gaming agency to relaunch its community of female games in the Middle East, named Girls Got Game (GGG) on social media.
Dubai Duty Free sales reach US$1.73 billion in 2022; travel retail continues pandemic recovery
Dubai Duty Free has reported an annual sales increase in 2022 of 78 percent to Dh6.34 billion ($1.73 billion), according to a report by National News.
Natura &Co takes The Body Shop to Kenya
Natura &Co’s The Body Shop brand has entered the Kentan market, according to a report published by Capital FM.
Tech in 2022 – can’t touch this
What were we expecting of technology in 2022? Well, after the dominance of internet shopping over the prior two years, more of the same, with bells on. All bets were on livestreaming, already a dominant trend in China, booming in the west.
Retail in 2022 – shopping around
After the ravages of 2020 and 2021, retailers could have been forgiven for hoping for a smoother ride at the start of 2022. Pandemic restrictions were lifted, IRL shopping was back and even travel was resuming. So far, so hopeful.
Regulation in 2022 – clampdown
Cruelty free cosmetics and product safety have long been the dominant regulatory issues faced by the cosmetics industry but, in 2022, we saw lawmakers turn greater attention to greenwashing and the environmental impact of the products on offer too.
Products in 2022 – cashing in
In our humble opinion, 2022 wasn’t a year of huge innovation. Launches were subdued compared to pre-pandemic but if there was one prevailing trend among the launches of the year it was celebrity, celebrity and a bit more celebrity.
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