Majority Of "Hypoallergenic" And "Fragrance-Free" Moisturizers Not What Their Manufacturers Claim, Study Shows October 2, 2017: 12:00 AM EST Among moisturizers advertised by their manufacturers as hypoallergenic and fragrance-free, a larger number actually contain skin irritants and scents, according to researchers from Northwestern University in Chicago. Results of the study, which covered moisturizers that were top-selling from Amazon, Walmart, and Target, revealed these products are putting consumers with sensitive skin at risk of rashes. Moisturizers are considered cosmetics by the US Food and Drug Administration and, hence, are barely regulated before they are sold on the market. Danielle Zoellner , "Most 'hypoallergenic' creams contain skin irritants and half of fragrance-free moisturizers contain scents", Daily Mail, October 02, 2017, © Associated Newspapers Ltd

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Bulldog Skincare For Men Launches New TV Ad Campaign September 30, 2017: 12:00 AM EST Bulldog Skincare for Men has launched a new advertising campaign featuring a telepathic dog. Created by Adam&Eve/DDB, the TV advertisement, “Bank Robbery,” stars a telepathic dog that “truly understands men.” "Bulldog Skincare: Bank Robbery by Adam&Eve/DDB", The Drum, September 30, 2017, © Carnyx Group Ltd	Domains PERSONAL CARE BUSINESS Brands Market Segments Marketing Men's Grooming Skin Care Geographies Worldwide EMEA Europe United Kingdom

Lancome Names Actress Neelofa First Malaysian Brand Ambassador September 29, 2017: 12:00 AM EST Cosmetics brand Lancome has named Malaysian actress, TV host, and entrepreneur Neelofa, also known as Noor Neelofa Mohd, as official ambassador. This makes Neelofa the brand's first Malaysian ambassador, as well as the its first hijab-wearing representative. "Neelofa To Be The First Lancôme Ambassador Wearing The Hijab", malaysiandigest.com, September 29, 2017, © malaysiandigest.com

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P&G's Ex-CEO Opposes Activist Investor's Election To Board Of Directors September 28, 2017: 12:00 AM EST Procter & Gamble Co.'s former CEO A.G. Lafley said shareholders should not elect activist investor Nelson Peltz to the company's board of directors. According to Lafley, Peltz's proposal to reorganize the company, which includes turning P&G into a holding company, would be a “huge step backward” and a mistake. Peltz, who has acquired $3.5-billion worth of stock in P&G, said he wants to cut the company's corporate employees by 90 percent. Peltz is the CEO of hedge fund company Trian Fund Management, which has a history of purchasing a large stake in a company, securing a board seat, and pushing for company reorganization in order to raise the stock price. Barrett J. Brunsman , "EXCLUSIVE: Former P&G CEO Lafley says activist investor is ‘just plain wrong’", Cincinnati Business Courier , September 28, 2017, © American City Business Journals

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Wal-Mart Aims For High-End Market With Jet.com September 28, 2017: 12:00 AM EST Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is repositioning its Jet ecommerce unit toward the high-end market, as part of the retailer's efforts to compete with online rival Amazon. Acquired by Wal-Mart for $3.3 billion in 2016, Jet plans to sell apparel from online retailers bought by the retail giant in the previous year. Also, Jet plans to introduce a new line of private-label food and grocery items. Sarah Nassauer, "Wal-Mart Tries to Take Jet.com Upscale", The Wall Street Journal, September 28, 2017, © Dow Jones & Company, Inc.

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China's FMCG Market Grows 4.6 Percent In August 2017 Quarter September 28, 2017: 12:00 AM EST In China, sales of fast-moving consumer goods grew 4.6 percent during the 12-week period ending August 11, 2017, compared with the same period of the previous year, according to Kantar Worldpanel. Data from the market research firm revealed lower-tier cities saw faster growth at 4.9 percent compared with 4.1 percent for leading cities and provincial capitals. "Further recovery for China's FMCG market", Kantar Worldpanel, September 28, 2017, © Kantar Worldpanel

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Procter & Gamble Makes Advertising More Accessible For Blind People September 28, 2017: 12:00 AM EST Procter & Gamble has changed its advertising to expand diversity and inclusivity. Described by the company as an ongoing process, the changes include making most of its advertisements consumable by blind people. Sam Latif, a consultant and leader of the company's people with disabilities affinity group, has been a driving force for P&G's efforts to make its advertising more accessible for people with disabilities. Leonie Roderick , "P&G rethinks advertising to make it more accessible", Centaur Communications Ltd, September 28, 2017, © Centaur Communications Ltd

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Unilever Denies KJU Perfumed By Lux Shower Gels Named After North Korean Leader September 28, 2017: 12:00 AM EST Unilever has denied that the initials “KJU” from the brand KJU Perfumed by Lux of shower gels designed for the China market stand for Kim Jong Un, North Korea's leader. According to the company's head of personal care business, Alan Jope, the company realized there was an issue with the initials only after they had trademarked it. Thomas Mulier, "New 'KJU' Shower Gel Not Named After Kim Jong Un, Insists Unilever", Bloomberg, September 28, 2017, © Bloomberg LP

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Unilever Indonesia Launches Body Moisturizer For Hijab-Wearing Women September 27, 2017: 12:00 AM EST Unilever launched the Pureline Hijab Fresh, a body moisturizer designed for Muslim women who wear hijabs in Indonesia. According to Unilever Indonesia VP for personal care, Ira Noviarti, there are at least 20 million women who wear hijabs in the country. Muslim women who wear hijabs account for 68 percent of total sales of fast-moving consumer goods in the country, Noviarti added. Erwida Maulia, "Unilever Indonesia expands beauty products for Muslim women", Nikkei, September 27, 2017, © Nikkei Inc.

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Unilever Joins Better Than Cash Alliance's Push For Digital Finance September 26, 2017: 12:00 AM EST Unilever announced a collaboration with the UN-based group Better Than Cash Alliance, which promotes digital payment as a means of supporting women and smallholder farmers. Part of Unilever's Sustainable Living Plan, the consumer goods company's deal with the organization signals its commitment to move away from cash as a payment platform for its value chain. According to Better Than Cash Alliance, digital modes of repaying loans have enabled farmers to reduce payment losses and collections costs, as well as “improved transparency and efficiency.” "Unilever Joins Better Than Cash Alliance, Embraces Digital Finance Across Value Chain", Sustainable Brands, September 26, 2017, © Sustainable Life Media Inc.

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L’Oreal And Nestle To Face Ownership Options For French Cosmetics Group September 22, 2017: 12:00 AM EST The death of heiress Liliane Bettencourt, whose family owns 33 percent of L’Oréal, will likely force key investors to address the company’s ownership structure. Nestlé SA, which owns 23 percent, agreed with the Bettencourts not to increase stakes in L’Oréal, but this agreement expires in six months.  Nestlé could then purchase a controlling share in L’Oréal but is more likely to sell its stake, a move that would force L’Oréal to accept wider (and potentially hostile) ownership or opt to invest further funds in the company, boosting earnings per share but reducing funds available for acquisitions.  For Nestlé, the resulting 24 billion euro windfall brings a dilemma. It could payout funds to appease shareholders and especially its activist investor, Third Point, or use the funds to double down on its currently lackluster food and nutrition business. Andrea Felsted et al., "A Historic Moment for L'Oreal... and Nestle", Bloomberg Gadfly, September 22, 2017, © Bloomberg Finance L.P.

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More Women In US Prefer Facial Skincare Products With Natural Ingredients September 18, 2017: 12:00 AM EST In the US, 40‒50 percent of women who use facial skincare products prefer those with natural or organic ingredients, according to The NPD Group's Women's Facial Skincare Consumer Report 2017. Data from the market research group also revealed that women actively search for products that do not have harmful ingredients, such as fragrances, parabens, and sulfates. Also, 48 percent of women believe they have sensitive skin, compared with 44 percent in 2015. "For Nearly Half of U.S. Women Using Facial Skincare Products, Ingredients Determine their Purchases", NPD, September 18, 2017, © The NPD Group, Inc.

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Skincare Products Get A New Lease On Life Around The Globe September 8, 2017: 12:00 AM EST L'Oréal sees the skincare market reviving globally, especially in China, and that’s a “good phenomenon,” according to CEO Jean-Paul Agon. Skincare sales at the company are up by single-digit rates. Active Cosmetics was its second-biggest growth story in the first six months of the year, behind L’Oréal Luxe, which grew 15.4 percent. The consumer division, however, was its second-weakest in the first half of fiscal 2017, with sales up 3.8 percent to about $6.4 billion, hurt particularly by mass market makeup in the U.S. L'Oréal thinks the reasons might be “a certain transfer into higher-price items and maybe a reallocation of [consumer] spending" to different categories. Jamie Hammon, "L'Oréal Benefits From 'Skin-Care Comeback,' With Mass Makeup Slowing", Rose Sheet, September 08, 2017, © Informa plc.

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Acquisitions, Divestitures, Keep L'Oréal Growing September 1, 2017: 12:00 AM EST L'Oréal is rapidly gaining on household and personal products market leader Unilever in the international top 30 companies list compiled by Happi.com. Despite the company’s agreement to sell The Body Shop to Natura – “the best new owner we could imagine to nurture the brand,” said CEO Jean-Paul Agon – the company grew in size after acquiring CeraVe, AcneFree, and Ambi from Valeant for $1.3 billion. Last year, L'Oréal acquired IT Cosmetics for $1.2 billion and Atelier Cologne. The Active Cosmetics unit, parent of CeraVe and other product lines, saw sales rise 5.7 percent, driven by a 12 percent increase in La Roche-Posay sales. The division is also ramping up efforts to reduce skin cancer with an array of sun care products. [Image Credit: © L'Oréal ] "The International Top 30: An emerging trend", News release, Happi.com, September 01, 2017, © Rodman Media

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Americans Are Woefully Ignorant Of How To Properly Wash Their Faces September 1, 2017: 12:00 AM EST A national survey sponsored by L’Oréal’s CeraVe skincare brand found that 80 percent of Americans are not cleaning their faces properly, making mistakes like using bath wash or hand soap, water alone, or not washing at all. The survey of 1,000 adult Americans found that 60 percent feel uninformed about proper skin cleansing methods. Nearly two-thirds had no idea what ingredients to look for when purchasing a facial cleanser, and fewer than 10 percent had heard of the skin ingredients called ceramides – a key ingredient of the CeraVe line of products – that restore moisture and strengthen the skin barrier. A N.Y dermatologist said the results are “troubling” but not surprising. [Image Credit: © Dr. Cynthia Bailey ] "National Study Reveals Up to 80 Percent of Americans Wash Their Face Incorrectly", News release, CeraVe, September 01, 2017, © CeraVe

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L’Oreal Seeks U.S. Marketing Chief For CeraVe Products August 18, 2017: 12:00 AM EST L’Oreal is looking to hire a New York-based marketing manager for its CeraVe anti-aging cosmetics line. The company’s help-wanted ad describes a manager who will create and execute sustainable, consumer-centric plans involving all elements of the marketing mix; launch new products; coordinate U.S. marketing campaigns; and conduct routine business analysis, among other responsibilities. The company prefers someone with an MBA, but at least an undergraduate marketing degree, and several years’ experience. [Image Credit: © CeraVe ] "JOB POSTINGS: Manager, Marketing – CeraVe", L’Oreal, August 18, 2017, © L’Oreal

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The Body Shop Launches Natural Hair And Scalp Care Product In Sri Lanka August 17, 2017: 12:00 AM EST Beauty retailer The Body Shop has launched the Fuji Green Tea Cleansing Hair Scrub haircare product in Sri Lanka. Inspired by a combination of Japanese green tea, mint menthol, salt crystals, and Community Trade honey from Ethiopia, the product is designed to deal with scalpcare problems caused by exposure to heat, pollution, and other harmful external factors. Faithful to the company's “Enrich, not Exploit” corporate principle, the product's ingredients are fully vegetarian, free from parabens, and sourced from sustainable suppliers. "Refreshingly clean hair with The Body Shop’s Fuji Green Tea Hair Scrub", Daily Mirror, August 17, 2017, © Wijeya Newspapers Ltd.

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L'Oreal India Poaches Vodafone's Media Chief Neel Pandya August 11, 2017: 12:00 AM EST L'Oreal India has named Vodafone India's national media and digital head Neel Pandya as its new national head of media. Neel joined Vodafone in 2014 as media manager and was promoted to national media and digital chief in 2016. He managed the launch of the telecommunications company's launch of a Twitter Brand Emoji, India's first, for Vodafone's IPL Campaign in 2016. Satrajit Sen, "Exclusive: Vodafone’s National Media Head Neel Pandya Joins L'Oréal India", adageindia, August 11, 2017, © Times Internet Limited

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CeraVe Achieves Cult Status On Social Media August 5, 2017: 12:00 AM EST L’Oréal’s CeraVe is the drugstore skincare brand that is followed closely on Reddit’s huge Skincare Addiction thread patronized by dermatologists, experts, and full-blown skin care lovers. It has turned CeraVe into a “legit cult-favorite and desert-island necessity.” Launched in 2005 with a cleanser, moisturizing lotion, and moisturizing cream, the brand has expanded to include a full line of moisturizers, cleansers, body washes, and SPFs. Visitors to the Skincare Addiction thread on Reddit focus on CeraVe’s ability to get rid of stubborn breakouts and moisturize oily skin without aggravation. A key to the success is CeraVe’s low-cost, easy-to-find products that work with all skin types. Ruby Buddemeyer, "How CeraVe Became the Internet’s Cult-Favorite Drugstore Brand", stylecaster, August 05, 2017, © stylecaster

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L’Oréal Displays Beauty Innovations At Paris Technology Show August 3, 2017: 12:00 AM EST L’Oréal showcased its latest beauty innovations at Viva Technology Paris in June. Lancome, Kerastase, L'Oreal Paris, La Roche-Posay and L'Oreal Professionnel showed how they applied advanced digital technologies to create personalized services for consumers. The L’Oréal display area in the center of the Hall of Tech also included a startup corner highlighting partnerships with young companies in the area of human resources. Among other innovations, the company presented in Europe for the first time Lancome's Le Teint Particulier Custom Made Foundation that matches skin tone to a personalized foundation at the point of sale. [Image Credit: © L’Oréal  ] "L’Oreal presents its connected beauty innovations and partnerships with startups at Viva Technology Paris 2017 ", L’Oréal, August 03, 2017, © L'Oréal

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Procter & Gamble Cuts $140 Million From Digital Advertising Spend August 3, 2017: 12:00 AM EST Procter & Gamble reduced spending on digital advertising by $140 million in the second quarter of 2017. With the company reporting no adverse impact on revenue performance during the quarter, marketers have to ask their marketing and media agencies some questions, including how they are measuring the effectiveness of digital marketing spending. Also, clients need to understand the methods used by digital and publishing partners to measure the effectiveness of digital campaigns. George Popstefanov, "P&G'S $140 Million Lesson on Transparency", Advertising Age, August 03, 2017, © Crain Communications

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Active Cosmetics Are A Rising Star In L’Oréal’s Firmament August 2, 2017: 12:00 AM EST L’Oréal’s half-year financial results shed some light on the hot “active cosmetics” trend in the beauty industry. The company’s Active Cosmetics Division showed a sales growth rate of 11.1 percent through the end of June, and 4.6 percent like-for-like. Profit was 26.7 percent, compared with 27.7 percent a year ago. The division includes brands with derma/pharmaceutical profile and image, and are sold in healthcare outlets. They include Vichy, La Roche-Posay, and SkinCeuticals, “dermocosmetics” developed and endorsed by dermatologists, pediatricians, cosmetic doctors. North America is the number one contributor to the division's growth, reflecting the successful integration of CeraVe into the portfolio, and the dynamism of SkinCeuticals and La Roche-Posay. [Image Credit: © CeraVe ] Lucy Whitehouse, "Spotlight on active cosmetics: growth accelerating as trend becomes mainstream", CosmeticsDesign-Europe.com, August 02, 2017, © William Reed Business Media Ltd

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Proper Skin Cleansing Is Apparently Not An American Talent August 1, 2017: 12:00 AM EST A national survey or 1,000 American men and women found that facial cleansing – and skin cleaning in general – is not a major skill. Eighty percent err when cleansing their face, according to the CeraVe study, which also found that: 60 percent of Americans are generally unaware of how to properly cleanse their skin; more than half use bath wash or hand soap to cleanse their face (a third use only water); and nearly two thirds (65 percent) are clueless when it comes to ingredients to look for when shopping for a facial cleanser. Sixty-three percent don't know what those ingredients are for. The survey was conducted by the makers of skincare brand CeraVe to mark National Cleanse Your Skin Week. [Image Credit: © CeraVe ] "National Study Reveals Up to 80 Percent of Americans Wash Their Face Incorrectly", News release, CeraVe, August 01, 2017, © CeraVe

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L’Oréal CEO Says CeraVe Line Doing Well, Will Expand To Europe In 2018 July 28, 2017: 12:00 AM EST In a conference call with analysts in June discussing six-month sales and profit performance, L’Oréal CEO Jean-Paul Agon [left] commented on the progress of its newly-acquired CeraVe skincare product line. According to Agon, CeraVe is “already contributing with double-digit growth” in the U.S. market. And the company’s globalization strategy includes a plan to expand CeraVe to Europe beginning in mid-2018, “because we need some time to adapt the formulations for Europe, but it would be deployed next year.” CeraVe was acquired from Canada’s Valeant in March 2017 and is now part of the fast-growing Active Cosmetics division. [Image Credit: © L’Oréal ] "L'Oreal's (LRLCF) CEO Jean-Paul Agon on First Half 2017 Results - Earnings Call Transcript", Seeking Alpha, July 28, 2017, © Seeking Alpha

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Growth Returns To Asian FMCG Market July 27, 2017: 12:00 AM EST FMCG growth in Asia is accelerating, according to researcher Kantar Worldpanel, with the personal care care segment leading the way. The overall pace of growth reached 3.4 percent in the first quarter, up from 3.3 percent in 2016, due largely to the strong health & wellness and convenience sectors. Value growth in food was up about 0.8 percent over last year.  But beverage growth was flat, indicating that consumers are “rationalizing their spending.” Dairy growth was healthy (4,2 percent), as was homecare (3.2 percent), but both were slower than a year ago. Personal care grew 9.6 percent, a major spurt over a year ago. “Self-pampering and indulgence remained important to consumers,” the company said. "Asia Consumer Insights Q1 2017", Report, Kantar Worldpanel, July 27, 2017, © Kantar Worldpanel

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Unilever Employs Accenture To Build Cloud Computing-Based Trade And Marketing Solutions July 25, 2017: 12:00 AM EST Unilever signed a contract with Accenture to deploy the Accenture Cloud Trade Promotion Management and Accenture Cloud Retail Execution to create a common system for the consumer goods company's trade and marketing operations. Based on the Salesforce cloud computing platform, the Accenture Cloud solutions integrate Accenture's expertise on front-office consumer goods industry and Salesforce's top customer relations management solution with native cloud, mobile, social, data science, and artificial intelligence capabilities. Also, Accenture will provide Accenture NewsPage, which would let Unilever create a single system for managing the company's network of third-party distributors. "Unilever to Enhance Trade and Sales Activities By Moving to Accenture Cloud Solutions for Consumer Goods Built on the Salesforce Platform", Business Wire, July 25, 2017, © Business Wire, Inc.

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RB Posts Lower Net Revenue In First Half Of 2017 July 24, 2017: 12:00 AM EST Reckitt Benckiser reported net revenue declined like for like to ₤5.017 billion in the first half of 2017, compared with the same period of the previous year. Operating profit for the period was ₤1.063 billion, an increase of 50 percent compared with the same period in 2016. Operating profit rose 16 percent to ₤1.19 billion on an adjusted basis. According to the company, net finance expense for the period was ₤47 million, the increase caused by the increased net debt cost related to its acquisition of Mead Johnson Nutrition. "Reckitt Benckiser Half Year Results 2017", Reckitt Benckiser, July 24, 2017, © Reckitt Benckiser Group plc

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Shiseido Recalls Body Wash Products July 21, 2017: 12:00 AM EST Shiseido Company, Limited, announced a voluntary recall of a number of body wash products manufactured in January to July, 2017. Made at the company's Kuki Factory in Japan, the 23 products covered by the recall announcement include Kuyura Body Care Soap H JB, Kuyura Body Care Soap H, and Kuyura Body Care Soap YJB. Some of the products are marketed in Japan, others in overseas markets, and others sold in both local and international markets. "Notice and Apology Regarding Voluntary Recall of Body Wash Products", Shiseido, July 21, 2017, © Shiseido Company, Limited

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Sephora Opens First Studio Store Concept In Boston July 21, 2017: 12:00 AM EST Beauty retailer Sephora opened its first Sephora Studio, the company's smallest store, in Boston, Massachusetts. Integrating various digital tools, the store concept aims to provide customers with optimized shopping experience during and after store visit. Also, the store offers the company's digital-enhanced beauty care services, including the Sephora Digital Makeover Guide. According to the company, the store's consultants are equipped with the highest levels of certification they can earn from Sephora. "SEPHORA Pioneers New Retail Innovation with Launch of First Small-Format Concept Store", Business Wire, July 21, 2017, © Business Wire, Inc.

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Unilever’s Tinkering With Marketing Spending Boosts 2nd Q Profits July 20, 2017: 12:00 AM EST Unilever’s second quarter financials mostly beat Wall Street expectations – sales growth fell three percent short – but the rise in profit came from cuts in marketing expenses. In April the company said about $2.3 billion of its planned three-year $7 billion cost-cutting program would come from marketing and overhead. During the first half of this fiscal year, however, nearly a third of the cuts came only from marketing; half were attributable to both marketing and overhead. The company is cutting ad agency and production spending, but marketing spending overall will rebound in the second half when 60 percent of Unilever's new-product launches for the year will take place. [Image Credit: © Unilever ] Jack Neff, "Unilever Cuts Agency Fees and Production Costs, but a Media Surge Looms", Advertising Age, July 20, 2017, © Crain Communications

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Aldi Says It Will Not Sell Flushable Toilet Wipes In Australia July 20, 2017: 12:00 AM EST Discount retailer Aldi has canceled plans to sell the Green Action line of bathroom cleaning wipes the company described as “flushable.” Aldi's action came following complaints by consumers and warnings by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission regarding how “flushable” wipes harm the environment when disposed of in toilet. In December 2016, the ACCC sued Kimberly-Clark Australia and Pental for making misleading claims by describing their products as biodegradable. Nic White, "Aldi withdraws 'flushable' toilet wipes from sale after customer backlash and water authorities warning they block drains", Daily Mail, July 20, 2017, © Associated Newspapers Ltd

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Unilever Posts Stronger Revenue Performance In 1H 2017 July 20, 2017: 12:00 AM EST Unilever said net profit rose to €3.11 billion, or $3.58 billion, for the six-month period ending June 30, 2017, compared with €2.51 billion in the previous year. According to the company, revenue grew to €27.72 billion from the previous year's €26.28 billion. Gross margin improved by 40bps to 43.1 percent, pushed by margin-accretive innovations and acquisitions, the company said. "Unilever 2017 First Half Results", Unilever, July 20, 2017, © Unilever

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Asia Pacific Accounts For Over A Third Of Anti-Aging Beauty And Personal Care Products In 2016 July 20, 2017: 12:00 AM EST In 2016, 37 percent of new anti-aging beauty and personal care products were launched in the Asia Pacific region, up from 28 percent in 2014, according to Mintel. Data from the market research firm report, Mintel Global New Products Database, revealed the region is second only to Europe, which accounted for 40 percent of product launches. South Korea and Japan accounted for 23 percent each of total product launches in the APAC region, with China ranking third with 22 percent. Thailand and India, with 7 percent and 6 percent, respectively, round up the top 5 markets in Asia for product launches. "Over one third of the world’s anti-ageing beauty and personal care products were launched in Asia Pacific in 2016", Mintel, July 20, 2017, © Mintel Group Ltd.

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Reckitt Benckiser Divests Food Business July 19, 2017: 12:00 AM EST U.K.-based Reckitt Benckiser Group plc announced it is selling its food business (RB Food) to McCormick & Company for $4.2 billion. The RB Food (Chester, N.J.) condiments and toppings line includes French's, Frank's RedHot and Cattlemen's brands. The nutrition bar Tiger’s Milk will be included in the cash-free, debt-free deal. Divestiture of its food business marks another step in RB’s transformation into a consumer health and hygiene company. It acquired infant formula firm Mead Johnson Nutrition in February for $16.7 billion. "Sale of Food Business to McCormick", News release, Reckitt Benckiser, July 19, 2017, © Reckitt Benckiser Group plc

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Walgreens Adds UK Brand Sleek MakeUP To Beauty Lineup July 17, 2017: 12:00 AM EST Walgreens said it will start selling Sleek MakeUP brand of cosmetics at more than 150 stores and on Walgreens.com. One of the fastest-growing mass-market beauty brands in the UK, Sleek MakeUP was acquired by Walgreens Boots Alliance in 2015. Created by a local beauty entrepreneur in East London, the brand seeks to cater to the needs of women of color who were faced with limited choices in the cosmetics market. "Walgreens Continues to Differentiate its Beauty Offering with Sleek MakeUP", Walgreens.com, July 17, 2017, © Walgreens.com

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L’Oréal Uses Bioprinting To Create Live Skin Tissue For Cosmetics Testing July 8, 2017: 12:00 AM EST The FDA may not require it, but L’Oréal says it has ended live-animal testing of new cosmetics and has turned to alternatives such as EpiSkin, a lab-grown human flesh-like tissue available in more than 100,000 samples representing numerous ethnicities. And lately the company has partnered with biotech Organovo to apply advanced 3-D bioprinting technology (left) to create skin tissue with hair follicles. The technology would allow mass production of skin tissue for lab testing. It is not unlikely that the 3-D printed tissue will become, like EpiSkin, a profit center for L’Oréal. [Image Credit: © L’Oréal  ] Laura Goldman, "L’Oreal Grows Human Skin to Replace Animal Testing", Care2, July 08, 2017, © Care2.com, Inc.

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Vaseline Is World's Leading Brand Of Hand And Body Care Products, Nielsen Says July 3, 2017: 12:00 AM EST Unilever's Vaseline is the leading brand of hand and body care products in the world, according to Nielsen Retail Measurements. Data from the market research firm revealed the brand sold 470 million units in 2016, more than any other brand. Also, the brand's growth has been driven by several factors, including its Vaseline Healing Project initiative, and by strong sales in emerging markets, such as India, Indonesia, and Thailand. "Vaseline named the world’s No.1 hand and body care brand", Unilever, July 03, 2017, © Unilever

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Hain Celestial On The Block? June 30, 2017: 12:00 AM EST Organic and natural foods company Hain Celestial may soon be on the auction block. After successfully steering through an accounting review that worried investors and depressed stock value, top execs disclosed to a Jefferies Group analyst that they are open to takeover offers or other strategic changes. Shortly thereafter, Engaged Capital said it had accumulated a nearly ten percent stake in Hain Celestial and was prepared to jettison most of the board members and push for a sale of the whole company, or of part of it. Though the accounting review ended without any substantial changes being made, the Securities and Exchange Commission is continuing its own probe. Hain stock is down about 30 percent since the SEC investigation began. [Image Credit: © Hain Celestial ] Tara Lachapelle, "Organic Foodmaker Hain Looks Appetizing", Bloomberg Gadfly, June 30, 2017, © Bloomberg Finance L.P.

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Big Companies Ponder How To Evaluate Nonfinancial Assets June 28, 2017: 12:00 AM EST The nonprofit Coalition for Inclusive Capitalism is leading an effort to establish a consistent framework for informing investors about nonfinancial activities that also give companies value. These may include such things as workforce training, environmental impact, and creation of intellectual property. Chief executives of more than 20 companies and investment funds, including PepsiCo and Nestlé, and asset managers Vanguard, Fidelity and Schroders, are involved in the project.  [Image Credit: © Coalition for Inclusive Capitalism] Chloe Cornish, "Global groups join forces to prove value beyond financial results", The Financial Times, June 28, 2017, © The Financial Times Limited

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Procter & Gamble, Unilever Spend Less On Digital Advertising June 26, 2017: 12:00 AM EST Procter & Gamble and Unilever reduced their digital advertising spend by 41 percent and 59 percent year-over-year, respectively, according to MediaRadar. Data from the advertising intelligence company revealed P&G ran ads on 978 websites in January to May 2017, a 33-percent drop from the same period in the previous year. Unilever ran ads on 540 sites in 2017, an 11-percent decline from the same period in 2016. Although P&G ran ads on 712 of the same websites in 2016 and 2017, the company cut its spending on 560 sites by 79 percent overall. Unilever cut its spending by 57 percent on 155 of the 268 sites it ran ads on during the period. Tanya Dua, "Two of the world’s biggest advertisers are cutting back on their digital ad spend", Business Insider, June 26, 2017, © Business Insider Inc

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Failure To Arouse Interest In The U.S. Drives L’Oréal To Pull Decléor Brand June 26, 2017: 12:00 AM EST French skincare brand Decléor, which L’Oréal acquired along with Carita from Shiseido three years ago, failed to make a dent within the professional channel in the U.S. After a year, the brand was carried at only 350 locations in the U.S., despite a brand refresh that included a new logo, new advertising and promotional materials, and a U.S. ambassador, celebrity facialist Mzia Shiman. L’Oréal pulled the plug on the aromatherapy-based face and body products in the U.S. market as of June 30. [Image Credit: © Decléor ] Rachel Strugatz , "L’Oréal Benches Decléor Brand in the U.S.", Women’s Wear Daily, June 26, 2017, © Penske Media Corporation

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Timely, Relevant – Very Short – Ads Are L’Oréal’s Social Media Holy Grail June 26, 2017: 12:00 AM EST Market research suggests that consumers using smartphones are swiping quickly past – i.e., ignoring – ads adapted from traditional 30-second TV spots. Enter a new ad standard, pushed by social media platforms like Facebook and Snapchat: the super short six-second spot. L’Oréal has partnered with Google on an initiative – dubbed “Media Bets” – that will analyze data on the fly on what content is currently engaging eyeballs on YouTube. L’Oréal will use the data to develop timely, relevant, responsive six-second ads to run just before videos. Company media chief Nadine McHugh says it’s all about “a value exchange with consumers” in a seriously “time-challenged environment.” [Image Credit: © L’Oréal / YouTube ] Mike Shields, "L'Oreal is changing its ads because you have no attention span", Business Insider , June 26, 2017, © Business Insider Inc

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Still Not Sure How To Measure The ROI Of It All, L’Oréal Pushes On With Digital June 23, 2017: 12:00 AM EST Despite a lack of evidence that its forays into the digital world are actually paying off, L’Oréal continues to do what it can to stay current with advanced technologies. In fact, it wants to do ”even better.” The latest of these technologies is voice search – think Amazon’s Alexa and Apple’s Siri – which the company believes will account for a fifth of all online searches within 18 months. The company wants to be at the forefront of that trend, a unique opportunity to tell consumers about brands and their stories. Lurking in the background of all this, however, is the ongoing “obsession” with the ROI of digital which, the company admits, it hasn’t quite figured out how to measure. [Image Credit: ©   L’Oréal] Leonie Roderick, "L’Oreal prioritises voice search as AR struggles to ‘ramp up’", Marketing Week, June 23, 2017, © Centaur Communications Ltd (a member of the Centaur Media plc group)

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Hain Celestial Reports Healthy Financial Numbers June 22, 2017: 12:00 AM EST Organic and natural products company Hain Celestial posted an adjusted profit of $192.9 million on net sales of $2.9 billion for fiscal 2016, an 11 percent increase over 2015, and 13 percent on a constant currency basis, compared to fiscal 2015 sales of $2.6 billion. Sales figures were buffeted by $69.2 million in foreign exchange fluctuations over the prior year. For the first nine months of fiscal 2017, the company reported flat net sales of $2.1 billion over the prior year, but a four percent increase on a constant currency basis. Sales were affected by $96.2 million from foreign exchange rate movements over the prior year. CEO Irwin Simon said the company accomplished “substantial cost-savings, enhancing customer-centric, go-to market initiatives and fueling innovation.” [Image Credit: © Hain Celestial] "Hain Celestial Announces Financial Results and Expands Strategic Plan to Deliver Enhanced Shareholder Value", Earnings release, Hain Celestial, June 22, 2017, © Hain Celestial

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Unilever's Lifebuoy Brand Launches Campaign To Reduce Child Mortality In Kenya June 22, 2017: 12:00 AM EST Unilever's Lifebuoy bath soap brand launched a public information campaign aimed at reducing child mortality in Kenya. Part of the company's Lifebuoy Help a Child Reach 5 program, the 21-day campaign focuses on raising awareness and changing personal hygiene habits of 12 million people in the country by 2020. To achieve these goals, the campaign promotes handwashing with antibacterial soaps and supports a continent-wide campaign to encourage behavior change for more than 1 billion people across Africa. "Lifebuoy targets 200,000 children in a campaign ", Standard Digital, June 22, 2017, © Standard Group Limited

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Langrock Named CFO At Hain Celestial June 22, 2017: 12:00 AM EST Organic and natural products company Hain Celestial has named James M. Langrock as executive vice president and chief financial officer to succeed Pasquale Conte, who is leaving to pursue other opportunities. Langrock, who joined the company in November 2015 as senior vice president, finance and treasurer, has more than 25 years’ experience at companies like Monster Worldwide, Motorola's Enterprise Mobility Division, Symbol Technologies, and Citibank. [Image Credit: © Linked In ] "Hain Celestial Appoints James M. Langrock Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer", News release, Hain Celestial, June 22, 2017, © Hain Celestial

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Unilever Continues To Realign Agency And Ad Tech Relationships June 21, 2017: 12:00 AM EST Unilever and British advertising/PR firm WPP announced they are investing in mobile creative management platform Celtra. The move furthers Unilever’s goal of boosting and applying creative technology innovation while reducing associations with ad agencies. As Unilever gets more involved in data and ad tech it has cut the costs and complexities of advertising across its 400+ brands. Celtra has been providing top brands with the ability to connect operational data, creative, advertising and analytics. The company has worked for several years with Unilever and with WPP’s Mindshare. [Image Credit: © Celtra ] Alison Weissbrot , "Unilever And WPP Stake A $15 Million Claim In Celtra – A Clear Sign Of The Agency/Client Relationship In Flux", AdExchanger, June 21, 2017, © AdExchanger.com

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Shiseido Partners With Microsoft Japan To Develop Virtual Makeup App For Teleworking Women June 18, 2017: 12:00 AM EST Shiseido worked with Microsoft Japan to develop TeleBeauty, an application designed to make a person appear on computer monitors as if he or she is wearing makeup. According to the cosmetics company, the app is aimed at women who telework and use computers to teleconference with their employers, clients, or coworkers. Offering users four basic patterns, natural, trend, cool, and feminine, the app can also correct skin tones and “de-focus other parts than face.” Motokazu Matsui, "Shiseido aids working women with virtual cosmetics app", Nikkei, June 18, 2017, © Nikkei Inc

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Amazon-Whole Foods Merger Shakes And Rattles The Retail Industry June 16, 2017: 12:00 AM EST Drug Store News outlined several key points to keep in mind now that Amazon plans to acquire Whole Foods Market. The $13.7 billion acquisition, awaiting approval by regulators and shareholders, will have major repercussions for retailers that sell groceries, beauty products and health products. A few of the key takeaways: both companies benefit from a merger. Amazon extends its beachhead into grocery sales, while Whole Foods gets a rich uncle. The entire retail industry knows now that it’s no longer business as usual: witness the stock slides of Target, Walmart, Kroger, Costco, and Supervalu. The acquisition furthers Amazon’s metamorphosis into a true omnichannel business, thanks to the addition of 460 brick-and-mortar stores. [Image Credit: ©   Amazon.com] David Orgel, "Amazon and Whole Foods: 5 things to know about the blockbuster deal", Drug Store News, June 16, 2017, © Drug Store News

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L’Oréal Takes An Expensive Flier On Virtual Reality Technology June 16, 2017: 12:00 AM EST L’Oréal’s Beauty Lab (left), located at the company’s year-old west-side Manhattan headquarters, serves as an experimental virtual reality center to explore a technology some industry observers call “the next frontier of fashion and beauty.” Though virtual reality has taken baby steps in fashion and cosmetics, it has yet to make significant inroads, and has had almost no impact on sales. Skeptics note that researchers aren’t even sure what to do with test data that are collected. L’Oréal, however, has invested a lot of money in its VR glasses, floor-to-ceiling VR screen, and additional 3-D modeling screens. Not so much to wow consumers, but to advance and enhance internal research. [Image Credit: © L’Oréal ] Hilary Milnes , "How L’Oreal uses virtual reality to make internal decisions at its New York HQ", Digiday, June 16, 2017, © Digiday Media

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