Agenda-setting intelligence, analysis and advice for the global fashion community.

Beauty’s Slowdown Goes Global

While nowhere near as dire as luxury fashion, beauty is seeing consumer momentum wane globally.

Inside a Sephora store. — Sephora is still growing globally, but LVMH's last earnings call noted it is seeing "normalisation" in sales. (Getty Images)

Liz Flora

14 November 2024

The famous “Lipstick Index” theory of sales dictates that when consumers spend less on big-ticket handbags and jewellery, they’ll turn to beauty instead. By that logic, beauty should be in the midst of a boom period, considering that several major luxury players are in the midst of a historic downturn.

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Inside Luxury’s Slowdown

Economic headwinds, higher prices and a lack of novel design are all weighing on what was previously fashion’s most dynamic segment. LVMH’s quarterly results Tuesday will offer hotly-watched insights on the severity of the slowdown and how long it will last.

The Beauty Slowdown Has Come for Indie Retailers

Credo Beauty, Goop, and Thirteen Lune are among the smaller, independent beauty retailers responding to US market headwinds.

Inside Ulta Beauty’s Turnaround Plan

As Sephora and Amazon encroach on its territory and draw younger shoppers, Ulta Beauty’s investor day covered strategies to enhance physical stores and keep Gen-Z and Gen Alpha’s attention.

Every Fashion Label Wants a Beauty Brand. Is There Room for All of Them?

Amid a luxury fashion slowdown, brands are launching full beauty lines at a record pace as they jostle to find their position in a crowded market.

Inside the Search for the Next Cerave

The L’Oréal-owned skincare line grew its sales almost five times between 2017 and 2021, riding a wave of enthusiasm for straightforward, affordable, expert-approved skincare, and becoming an industry-shaping force in beauty. Other mass brands are hoping for their moment in the spotlight.

How Big Box Retailers Won Over Premium Beauty Brands

Mass retailers like Target and Walmart have invested heavily in their beauty offerings, attracting a fresh crop of indie brands – as well as increasing their overall basket size. For brands wanting a slice of the action, scaling up is necessary.

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