Cosmetics

As a result of the Covid-19 crisis, Rituals has had to (temporarily) completely change its plans for the future. The company is investing heavily in digitisation and personalisation and hopes to benefit once the crisis is over.

Skin care brand L'Occitane saw sales plummet by 15% due to the coronavirus crisis. Nonetheless, the French natural cosmetics chain was able to weather the storm with Asian growth and strong online performance.

In Amsterdam, lifestyle brand Rituals has opened a first flagship store that adds new services and products in a unique world of experience. If the concept is successful, branches in more capitals will follow.

Estée Lauder is yet another victim of the Covid-19 crisis: as consumers buy less cosmetics, the group feels forced to cut 2,000 jobs and close one in six stores.

Dutch retailer Rituals is going to close some of its stores in the United States and focus more on online, because Americans are "more digital-minded".

German Henkel saw its sales decline slightly because of the coronavirus crisis, as hair salons and automobile manufacturers were forced to close. The soap and washing powder category did perform well, so much so that the Persil manufacturer increased its soap supply by 30 %.

Now that 'normal' life is at a standstill, a real corona industry is emerging: distilleries, breweries and perfume makers are switching to the production of disinfectant alcohol. Even LVHM is replacing perfume bottles with hand gel.