Jenni Baden HowardAt CEW today, we take a look into the strategy behind Shiseido’s new corporate venture capital fund. Announced in December 2023, Shiseido Long Term Investments for the Future (LIFT) Ventures — has its sights set on young, up and coming companies in the beauty and wellness arena. A first for the company, the fund has a Western lens. “Our mission statement is beauty innovations for a better world,” said Ron Gee, President & CEO, Shiseido Americas, and Global M&A Leader, Shiseido Company, Limited. “We have established this fund so that we can access early stage and truly novel innovations, novel platform technology, novel brands, and really invest and then follow them on that journey as they grow.” LIFT’s first two investments at launch were Phyla, the U.S. probiotic skin care brand, and Patricks, an Australian male grooming brand.
In executive news, Sephora has appointed Xia Ding its Managing Director of Greater China, reporting to Alia Gogi, its Asia President. Ding, who is based in Shanghai, was formerly at Nike. The announcement comes as Sephora’s parent company, LVMH, has reported “remarkable growth” at the retailer, after sales rose 11% in its first-quarter. Meanwhile, across the pond, Harvey Nichols has tapped Julia Goddard, the former President of Alexander McQueen, as its new CEO. Goddard will head up the beauty and fashion retailer’s strategy beginning in June.
In breaking skin care news, celebrity Dermatologist Dr. Ava Shamban has launched Althaea Skin, a range of products and a skin care device designed to work with the skin’s circadian rhythm. “I’m so excited that for the first time in dermatological research, we’ve been able to harness the power of the skin’s own circadian rhythm to help it function at its peak,” said Dr Shamban. Speaking of skin care innovation, Westman Atelier has unveiled its second skin care launch, Suprême C, a Vitamin C brightening and firming serum containing 100% THD Ascorbate. “We saw strong continued growth year to date fueled by core and [our] new lipstick launch,” commented co-founder David Neville. “With the launch of Suprême C, we anticipate our skin care business driving upward of 10 percent penetration.” The new serum will be available from Friday.
Read more about these and other stories at the links below.
The Strategy Behind Shiseido’s New Corporate Venture Capital Fund. Shiseido Long Term Investments for the Future (LIFT) Ventures has its sights set on young, up and coming companies in the beauty and wellness arena. (CEW)
Sephora Taps Xia Ding As Managing Director of Sephora in China. Ding has spent the last five years as Vice President & General Manager of e-commerce Asia Pacific and Latin America at Nike. (PREMIUM BEAUTY NEWS)
LVMH Reports Strong Growth At Sephora. The retailer’s sales rose 11% in its first-quarter. (BUSINESS OF FASHION)
Harvey Nichols Names Julia Goddard CEO. The former President of Alexander McQueen, Goddard joins the UK fashion and beauty retailer in June. (COSMETICS BUSINESS)
Dr. Ava Shamban Launches Althaea Skin. The celebrity dermatologist has created a range of skin care products and a device designed to work with the skin’s circadian rhythm. (HAPPI)
Westman Atelier Brightens Up. The company’s second skin care product, Suprême C serum, launches this Friday. (WWD)
Sally Hansen Signs College Basketball Star As Brand Ambassador. The company has named Duke University player Jared McCain as its new Brand Ambassador. The collab marks the company’s first NIL sponsorship deal with an athlete. (MARKETWIRE NEWS)
