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.
Packaging in 2022 – we need to talk about plastic
If there was one issue and one issue only that dominated packaging stories this year, it was sustainability. Packaging suppliers are working on reducing their impact on the environment.
Marketing in 2022 – all aboard the bandwagon
If there was one thing that defined marketing practices in both halves of 2022, it was not just jumping but positively leaping on the marketing bandwagon of the day.
Manufacturing in 2022 – grinding to a halt
At the start of the year, manufacturers were gearing up for growth. With the end of Covid restrictions in the west and omicron receding, it was back to business.
Ingredients in 2022 – the price is right
The supply chain disruption caused by the pandemic showed no signs of abating in early 2022. If anything, it got worse as inflation rose, leading to price rises across the board.
Finance in 2022 – inflation, inflation, inflation
Whether as a result of the pandemic, supply shortages or price gouging, inflation started rising worldwide in mid 2021 and was only exacerbated at the start of 2022 as Russia invaded Ukraine, sending fuel prices soaring.
Environment in 2022 – promises, promises
In the first six months of the year, we saw more and more targets set: Douglas published its global ESG goals, China’s Yatsen published its first ESG report and Christian Dior unveiled its eco strategy, while existing sustainability agendas were expanded or extended
Natura &Co works with Bank of America Corp and Morgan Stanley to sell stake in Aesop
Natura &Co is said to be working with the Bank of America Corp and Morgan Stanley in order to sell a stake in the Aesop brand, according to a report by Bloomberg.
Natura &Co Q3 2022: sales inch up 2.2 percent, EBITDA stable
Natura &Co has reported its results for the third quarter of fiscal 2022. The Brazilian cosmetics conglomerate saw revenue rise 2.2 percent yoy to R$9 billion in constant currency and stable adjusted EBITDA margin at 8.6 percent.
Avon to move R&D operations to Brazil and Poland
Natura &Co-owned Avon has announced that it will be establishing new Research and Development operations in Brazil and Poland, two of its largest markets, and closing its existing New York-based facility.
Grupo Boticário acquires men’s beauty brand Dr. Jones
Grupo Boticário has acquired Brazilian male beauty brand Dr. Jones for an undisclosed sum.
Now Natura &Co IS considering spin off of Aesop
Natura &Co may have rubbished rumors that it was mulling a sale or spin-off of select brands in its portfolio just weeks ago but now the Brazilian beauty behemoth is considering a possible IPO or spin-off of its successful Aesop brand.
Natura &Co: We have no plans to sell The Body Shop
Natura &Co has quashed rumors that it is considering the sale of The Body Shop or the spin off of its Aesop brand, according to a report published by Reuters.
Brazil wants research partners, da Silva tells EU
Brazil presidential hopeful, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is appealing to the European Union in a bid to find research partners in order to develop the Amazon region without damaging the ecosystem, according to a report published by Reuters.
Selling up shop? Natura &Co mulls future of The Body Shop
Natura &Co is rumored to be considering a sale of The Body Shop, according to a report published by This Is Money.
Natura &Co to expand presence in China in 2023
Fresh from the news that Aesop and The Body Shop are gearing up to open their first bricks and mortar locations in China later this year, Natura &Co has announced that the openings are part of a wider growth strategy, according to a report published by Nasdaq.
Natura &Co Q2 2022: sales stabilize as Natura and Aesop thrive
Natura &Co has reported its results for the second quarter of the current financial year. The Brazilian owner of The Body Shop saw sales rise 0.4 percent in constant currency to R$8.7 billion. Adjusted EBITDA margin was 8 percent (down 50bps).
Puig ups investment in Colombia’s Loto del Sur
Puig has announced that it has increased its investment in Colombian natural cosmetics brand, Loto del Sur.
Avon launches e-commerce platform for Mexican market
Natura &Co’s Avon has debuted an e-commerce platform for shoppers in Mexico, according to a report published by Retail & Leisure International.
Specialty chemicals provider Azelis expands foothold into South America with ROCSA acquisition
Specialty chemicals provider Azelis has expanded its foothold into the South American market with the purchase of ROCSA Colombia S.A., a specialty chemical distributor active in both life sciences and industrial chemical markets.
Natura &Co announces reorganization as Roberto Marques steps down
Natura &Co has announced a group reorganization whereby the company will transition to a simpler holding company structure.
Grupo Boticário to open an innovation hub in Portugal to search for tech talent
Grupo Boticário is to open an innovation hub in Portugal in a bid to search for technology talent, according to a report by Forbes.
L’Oréal Paris unlocks articles relating to sexual harassment to readers in Brazil
L’Oréal Paris has unlocked articles on sexual harassment to millions of readers in Brazil in a bid to help combat harassment in public spaces, according to a report by The Drum.
P&G Lima Plant gets US$400,000 rail grant
Procter & Gamble’s Lima plant has been awarded a US$400,000 grant by the Ohio Rail Development Commission, according to a report published by LimaOhio.com.
Natura &Co Q1 2022: revenue dips 4.6 percent as inflation bites
Natura &Co has reported its results for the first quarter of fiscal 2022. The Brazilian owner of Aesop and The Body Shop saw revenue drop 4.6 percent in constant currency top R$8.3 billion.
Dow completes mapping stage of Project Yba
Dow has announced that it has completed the mapping stage of Project Yba Conservation that Transforms, a critical milestone towards full implementation of the project.
Natura &Co named one of world’s most ethical companies
Natura &Co has been recognised as one of the world’s most ethical companies by the Ethisphere Institute. L’Oréal, Kao, Colgate Palmolive and Firmenich also made the 2022 list.
Cresco Labs set to acquire Columbia Care Inc to become the top US cannabis producer
Cresco Labs is set to become the biggest cannabis producer in the US with the acquisition of rival Columbia Care Inc in a US$2 billion deal – one of the biggest in the industry, according to Reuters.
Natura &Co presses pause on NYSE stock listing move amid market mahem
Natura &Co has decided against a move for its primary stock market listing from Brazil to the US, according to a report published by Bloomberg, amid market volatility due to impending interest rate rises and the war in Ukraine.
Kao, L’Oréal and Natura &Co are named on World’s Most Ethical Companies list 
Kao, L’Oréal and Natura &Co are just some of the cosmetics companies named on the 2022 World’s Most Ethical Companies Honoree List
Natura &Co Q4 2021: income more than triples, despite sales dip
Natura &Co has reported its results for the final quarter of fiscal 2021. The Brazilian owner of The Body Shop, Aesop and Avon saw net income more than triple, hitting R$1 billion for the full year, and posted an EBITDA margin gain of 90 basis points in the last three months of the financial year.
The EcoBeautyScore Consortium goes live with 36 industry players
Some 36 cosmetics companies and industry bodies have joined forces to form The EcoBeautyScore Consortium, which aims to develop an industry-wide environmental impact assessment and scoring system for beauty products.
Dufry bags Recife duty-free contract for a further 8 years
Dufry has announced that it has won the tender for the duty-free and duty-paid concessions at Brazil’s Recife International Airport for eight years.
Coty backtracks on Brazil IPO
Coty has announced that it will no longer be proceeding with the planned IPO for its Brazil unit, according to a report published by Reuters.
Betterware de Mexico buys JAFRA’s Mexico and US branch
Betterware de Mexico has announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire 100 percent of JAFRA’s operations in Mexico and the US from the Vorwerk group for US$155 million.
2021 Resilience: Finance
If ever there was a test designed to sort the wheat from the chaff, it was 2020. Some emerged from the pandemic’s salient year bigger and better (looking at you Amazon, LVMH), others, not so much. Indeed, 2021’s results provided an instant litmus test into the health of a given company after 2020 had done its worst. From Q1, we could see those who were bouncing back bigger and better and, in contrast, those who were still struggling.
2021 Resistance: Environment
While most companies pay at least lip service to sustainability, even as planet-friendly has become essential for CPG success, there are those continuing to resist – and that resistance comes in one of two forms: either everything goes suspiciously quiet or, worse, companies shout loudly but their claims don’t stand up to scrutiny.
2021 Resistance: Technology
Pre-pandemic, North America’s digital channel was under developed, especially compared to China and, in some cases, not much has changed. While some have adopted a more sophisticated approach to digital engagement, others have continued to dictate, not engage. This dogged determination to market at, not converse with, their audience won’t wash for long and shoppers have started to scroll on by.
2021 Resistance: Retail
As the COVID-19 pandemic categorically failed to be ‘all over by Christmas’ and rolled on and on into 2021, one thing became clear; those retailers who had hoped to ‘ride it out’ had some catching up to do….
2021 Resistance: Manufacturing
The pandemic killed the global supply chain as we knew it and several suppliers, manufacturers and retailers have struggled to come to terms with that in 2021. The result? Empty shelves, rising inflation and a stark choice between passing on the rising costs to consumers or taking a hit on margin to come.
2021 Resilience: Environment
Throughout 2020, there was much talk of ‘building back better’ and we expected our post-pandemic world to be a green, eco-friendly utopia. However, as 2021 bought renewed lockdowns and restrictions, has our ‘happy ever after’ transpired? Certainly, sustainable beauty is evolving, new targets have been set and we are asking more. We want products with soul and that comes hand in hand with planet-friendly.
2021 Resistance: Finance
Cast your mind back to early 2020. Did you think COVID-19 would be ‘all over by Christmas’ or were you more inclined to dig in for the long term? Two years on, with several countries grappling with a fourth wave and Omicron surging, the doomsayers aren’t looking so ridiculous and those who decided to ‘wait it out’ rather than pivot are struggling still as restrictions persist far longer than anyone predicted and the end of the pandemic proves elusive.
2021 Resilience: Technology
With digital in continual demand, those who invested early continued to reap the rewards in 2021. However, with all the online wizardry at our disposal today, we’d do well to remember that personal connection is still important to consumers. Digital will only secure a permanent spot in shoppers’ hearts if it evolves to scratch that itch; a functional, faceless online shopping platform will take you so far, consumers expect seamless service and a personalized approach.
2021 Resilience: Retail
Retailers faced some almost insurmountable challenges in 2021 – from renewed lockdowns shuttering bricks and mortar locations to the ongoing supply chain crisis and labor shortages, it’s a wonder any survived.
2021 Resilience: Manufacturing
Supply chain disruption prompted by pandemic shutdowns has persisted throughout 2021 and only those able to think on their feet and come up with workarounds can thrive in this environment. Investment in local sourcing, safeguarding raw materials supply, local manufacturing hubs, a flexible approach to logistics and the ability to generate power on site have all been crucial for success in the past 12 months.
Avon challenges domestic violence with charity partnership and education portal
Avon has announced the launch of a new campaign in collaboration with the NO MORE foundation to speak out against verbal abuse, as well as launching an online educational portal and offering training for customers, representatives and associates.
L’Occitane acquires stake in Brazilian premium beauty brand Sol de Janeiro
L’Occitane has acquired a majority stake in Brazilian premium beauty brand Sol de Janeiro, taking an indirect equity interest of 83 percent.
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