Weekly Global Cosmetics Visual News Review

Jackson Turner 08/29/2026

The global cosmetics and personal care industry is not just moving—it’s accelerating. This week provided a vibrant snapshot of continued activity, showcasing massive retail expansion, strategic international bets, and dynamic investment across the sector.

Retailers remained central to the action, pushing boundaries in both performance and expansion. Major players demonstrated resilience while carving out new avenues for growth. For instance, Ulta Beauty raised its 2026 guidance following Q2 sales that hit US$3 billion. Meanwhile, retailers were aggressively broadening their offerings; Target launched Beauty Studio, bringing over 90 prestige, emerging, and global brands to more than 600 stores. Another major shift was seen as Old Navy expanded its footprint by launching a US-wide Beauty Co rollout. In the drugstore space, Kohl’s raised its outlook, demonstrating that improved Q2 margins were offsetting sales declines. Even giants like Walmart raised its FY27 outlook after achieving US$187.9 billion in second-quarter revenue.

The quest for global reach continued, with several brands making significant international jumps. Thirteen Lune initiated its international journey with a successful launch in South Africa. Simultaneously, major players are solidifying their presence in the US, as LG H&H expanded the Dr.Groot line across 424 Sephora stores. On the Asian front, Kiko Milano entered the Uruguayan market as part of an ambitious €8.55 million expansion plan.

Behind the retail front, the landscape of mergers, acquisitions, and investment remained intensely active. Strategic shifts are reshaping the industry, as KKR acquired the Japanese beauty platform Ci FLAVORS. In the personal care space, Regent agreed to acquire Avon North America, unifying business operations. Furthermore, the focus on specialized growth was evident as Essity agreed to acquire Kenvue’s feminine care business in Brazil for US$284 million, and APS Innovation acquired cosmetics automation equipment manufacturer Irae for KRW24.5 billion.

Leadership evolution was also a key theme, reflecting a focus on transformation and growth. Major corporations are making high-profile moves, including LVMH appointing Alexandre Oulès as Chief Operating Officer of its Beauty division. Coty continued its business transformation by naming Soraya Benchikh as CFO. In other sectors, Vacation appointed former Not Your Mother’s CEO Nelson Miranda to lead the next stage of growth. Meanwhile, positions were filled at Macy’s, where Maya Dukes was named Senior Vice President of Creative and Production, and Johnson & Johnson named Aviva Wein Global Vice President of Litigation.

Innovation and sustainability remain driving forces. Companies are heavily investing in the future through technology and research. Mary Kay accelerated its digital transformation by heavily investing in e-commerce, AI, and social commerce strategies. In research, Amorepacific funded research at Yonsei University to develop an ‘Inner Beauty’ index, pushing the boundaries of what beauty means. Furthermore, supply chain sustainability saw progress, with Henkel’s Shanghai Packaging RecycLab securing EU-recognised testing accreditation.

The regulatory environment continues to evolve, placing fresh pressure on supply chains and market access. India recently opened a second antitrust investigation targeting global fragrance giants, while the friction points in international trade intensified as US-Canada tariffs placed increased pressure on beauty supply chains and affordable cosmetics. Looking regionally, South Korea successfully passed landmark legislation designed to support and accelerate the growth of its highly influential K-beauty industry.

From major US retail initiatives and K-beauty acceleration to AI-enabled commerce and cross-border M&A, the cosmetics and personal care landscape is anything but static. Companies are clearly demonstrating their commitment to strengthening their global positions through strategic growth and forward-thinking innovation.