Ulta Beauty Forecasts Annual Profit Below Estimates
Shares declined in after-hours trading as the beauty retailer expressed a cautious outlook for 2026.
innovation
Beauty
The Case for Lab-Grown Hair Extensions
Following a flurry of headlines alleging that synthetic hair extensions contain harmful chemicals, British company Ruka is launching a lab-made option using a complex formulation process, which it says is a safer alternative. Marketing and scaling its business could be just as complex.
The Case for Lab-Grown Hair Extensions
Following a flurry of headlines alleging that synthetic hair extensions contain harmful chemicals, British company Ruka is launching a lab-made option using a complex formulation process, which it says is a safer alternative. Marketing and scaling its business could be just as complex.
Partner Content
Elevating Physical Retail Strategies to Engage Brand Communities
Partnering with GGP, BoF explores how brands are reinvesting in retail to effectively communicate value to consumers and drive growth. In the third edition of this four-part series, BoF outlines key strategies for success — from training and empowering staff to creating meaningful, personalised in-store experiences and a sense of community.
Elevating Physical Retail Strategies to Engage Brand Communities
Partnering with GGP, BoF explores how brands are reinvesting in retail to effectively communicate value to consumers and drive growth. In the third edition of this four-part series, BoF outlines key strategies for success — from training and empowering staff to creating meaningful, personalised in-store experiences and a sense of community.
Technology
Hands On With the Most High-Tech Meta Ray-Ban Glasses Yet
The breakout eyewear’s next release comes with an internal display digitally overlaid on the wearer’s field of view that lets users read texts, watch video and get turn-by-turn navigation.
Hands On With the Most High-Tech Meta Ray-Ban Glasses Yet
The breakout eyewear’s next release comes with an internal display digitally overlaid on the wearer’s field of view that lets users read texts, watch video and get turn-by-turn navigation.
Technology
Ralph Lauren Launches AI Styling Bot, ‘Ask Ralph’
The new shopping experience, launching in the brand’s app to US users, will not only recommend products but offer guidance on how to style them into Ralph Lauren-approved outfits.
Ralph Lauren Launches AI Styling Bot, ‘Ask Ralph’
The new shopping experience, launching in the brand’s app to US users, will not only recommend products but offer guidance on how to style them into Ralph Lauren-approved outfits.
Beauty
‘GEO’ Is Beauty’s New ‘SEO’
As influencers and consumers turn to the ‘ChatGPT glow-up’ trend for AI-generated beauty advice, brands are rushing to generative engine optimisation in hopes of upping their chances of being recommended.
‘GEO’ Is Beauty’s New ‘SEO’
As influencers and consumers turn to the ‘ChatGPT glow-up’ trend for AI-generated beauty advice, brands are rushing to generative engine optimisation in hopes of upping their chances of being recommended.
Technology
How Investors Fell Back in Love With Fashion Tech
With the rise of AI, Silicon Valley is going all in on a new generation of startups that promise to radically change how products are made and sold. This time, they’re backing founders with tech chops and are more patient in helping them grow.
How Investors Fell Back in Love With Fashion Tech
With the rise of AI, Silicon Valley is going all in on a new generation of startups that promise to radically change how products are made and sold. This time, they’re backing founders with tech chops and are more patient in helping them grow.
Beauty
Why Hair Tools Still Haven’t Won Over Textured Hair Consumers
Hair tools have been thrust into the spotlight as brands try to create inclusive marketing campaigns that speak to the curly, coily and tight-textured consumers. But many are still falling short.
Why Hair Tools Still Haven’t Won Over Textured Hair Consumers
Hair tools have been thrust into the spotlight as brands try to create inclusive marketing campaigns that speak to the curly, coily and tight-textured consumers. But many are still falling short.
Retail
Explainer: How Retailers Can Fight a New Wave of Cyberattacks
A series of breaches at high-profile retailers like Victoria’s Secret and Marks & Spencer is putting cybersecurity back in the foreground. BoF examines what leaves fashion businesses vulnerable and how they can protect themselves.
Explainer: How Retailers Can Fight a New Wave of Cyberattacks
A series of breaches at high-profile retailers like Victoria’s Secret and Marks & Spencer is putting cybersecurity back in the foreground. BoF examines what leaves fashion businesses vulnerable and how they can protect themselves.
Partner Content
How Getty Images Is Evolving for a New Era of Content
The visual media company is expanding its offering beyond news, stock and archival content to become a strategic partner to the likes of, L’Oréal, Dior, the Met Gala and amFAR gala. Now, BoF sits down with Getty Images’ senior director of entertainment content and partnerships, Lisa Marie Rae, to learn more about how the company is co-creating cinematic campaigns and helping brands craft compelling narratives.
How Getty Images Is Evolving for a New Era of Content
The visual media company is expanding its offering beyond news, stock and archival content to become a strategic partner to the likes of, L’Oréal, Dior, the Met Gala and amFAR gala. Now, BoF sits down with Getty Images’ senior director of entertainment content and partnerships, Lisa Marie Rae, to learn more about how the company is co-creating cinematic campaigns and helping brands craft compelling narratives.
Partner Content
How Maesa Creates and Scales Beauty Brands in a Saturated Market
As a global incubator and operator for beauty and personal care brands, Maesa is growing its presence across new and existing categories — putting unmet customer needs at the centre of its own brands’ strategy. BoF hears from chief executive officer Piyush Jain and chief financial officer Zaheer Ferguson on its goals to disrupt the beauty and wellness space.
How Maesa Creates and Scales Beauty Brands in a Saturated Market
As a global incubator and operator for beauty and personal care brands, Maesa is growing its presence across new and existing categories — putting unmet customer needs at the centre of its own brands’ strategy. BoF hears from chief executive officer Piyush Jain and chief financial officer Zaheer Ferguson on its goals to disrupt the beauty and wellness space.
Retail
As Foreign Tourists Stay Away, US Retailers Dust Off Their Covid Playbooks
International visits to the US are falling fast due to tariffs and growing tensions between America and the rest of the world. The silver lining for retailers: they’ve been down this road before.
As Foreign Tourists Stay Away, US Retailers Dust Off Their Covid Playbooks
International visits to the US are falling fast due to tariffs and growing tensions between America and the rest of the world. The silver lining for retailers: they’ve been down this road before.
Retail
Exclusive: Inside Adidas’ Running Strategy
The company’s new supershoe for elite runners, the Adizero Adios Pro Evo 2, has arrived, and with a revamped running portfolio, Adidas aims to get more casual runners in its sneakers, too.
Exclusive: Inside Adidas’ Running Strategy
The company’s new supershoe for elite runners, the Adizero Adios Pro Evo 2, has arrived, and with a revamped running portfolio, Adidas aims to get more casual runners in its sneakers, too.
The News in Brief
Exclusive: Brita Invests in Shower Filter Firm Hello Klean
The German water filtration firm has acquired a minority stake in Hello Klean, which sells shower heads it claims mitigate the effects of hard water.
AII Launches Industry-First Tool Standardising Measurement of Carbon Emissions
The new tool published by the climate-focused nonprofit aims to create a standardised benchmark across textile facilities to accelerate fashion’s efforts to decarbonise.
Marco De Vincenzo Exits Etro
The creative director’s departure after four years was a decision of ‘mutual agreement’ according to the Italian label.
Exclusive: Akt London Enters Sephora
The UK label will roll out its hero deodorant to Sephora US doors and launch its full assortment online as the LVMH-owned retailer expands its body care offering.
Zalando Forecasts 2026 Profit Jump Driven by AI Boost
The European retailer forecast a rise in full-year adjusted operating profit and announced a share buyback, citing the productivity and cost-saving benefits of AI.
Lululemon Founder Warns CEO Candidates That Board Needs Overhaul
Chip Wilson wrote an open letter to potential candidates for the activewear brand’s next chief executive warning them of problems at the company.
Estée Lauder Sues Jo Malone, Zara UK for Trademark Infringement
The US cosmetics giant said on Thursday said it filed a lawsuit against perfumer Jo Malone, her fragrance brand ‘Jo Loves’ and Zara’s UK business for the use of Malone’s name on certain products.