Estée Lauder Companies

From Seoul to Melbourne, new cities are emerging as frontrunners in the beauty start-up space. The independent brands created in these hubs are fast becoming hot acquisition targets, but understanding the limits of their global appeal is key.

The pioneering beauty executive who built the Estée Lauder Companies into one of the world’s biggest cosmetics makers died on June 14 surrounded by family.

Following S’Young Group’s acquisition of US luxury brand Revive Skincare in 2024, Chinese companies are evaluating whether to snap up foreign brands to broaden their global reach.

The Estée Lauder-owned cosmetics label’s latest campaign casts Amelia Gray, Francesca Scorsese and Zaya Wade to promote “Lipglass Air,” a follow-up to MAC’s best-selling Lipglass.

The company’s latest results show progress in cutting costs, but projects a steeper slide in sales this year than previously anticipated.

This week’s round-up of global markets fashion business news also features Turkish high-street giant LC Waikiki, investment in India’s Pilgrim and the impact of the US-China trade war on factories in Bangladesh and Honduras.

Aware of the backlash other fashion and beauty players have faced, Estée Lauder is taking a slow and cautious approach to AI by putting restrictions on what it will — and won't — do with the technology.

The four biggest beauty conglomerates all recently reported disappointing sales, and consumers are tiring even of once white-hot brands like Cerave and Drunk Elephant. A rebound will require agility and adjusted expectations.

Tuesday’s second-quarter earnings detailed the conglomerate’s plans to streamline the business, with more job cuts and corporate restructuring to come. Getting the company back to growth will mean closing the intention gap.

In order to reverse its sales decline, the company is reportedly considering selling off poorer-performing, lower-margin brands and cutting other costs. Investors want to see the fat trimmed, and more room created for future growth.