Circana is predicting a merry and bright holiday season, reporting positive expectations for Q4. “U.S. consumer sentiment for the upcoming holiday shopping season is more optimistic than in the past two years, according to Circana’s 2024 Holiday Purchase Intentions Report,” writes CEW’s Andrea Nagel, who breaks down sales performance by category in our report. “Shoppers plan to spend an average of 2% more than they did last year, Circana data reveals, with Black Friday expectations reaching a four-year high as consumers anticipate the best holiday deals.”

Which skin care skin care ingredients should you have on your radar right now? At CEW, we reveal eight award-worthy contenders, as identified by the experts reviewing the finalists of this year’s Supplier’s Award, part of CEW’s 2024 Beauty Awards. “CEW and The New York Society of Cosmetic Chemists (NYSCC) have collaborated since 2017 to spotlight the most innovative beauty ingredients,” writes CEW reporter Genevieve Monsma.

Also at CEW, Mary van Praag, Global CEO, Milani Cosmetics, tells reporter Faye Brookman about how she has energized the 23-year-old brand since joining in 2020, boosting sales more than 50% to $200 million-plus. “With our great team of industry leaders, we’ve moved from 10th in the mass industry to seventh, and we just celebrated 12 straight quarters of growth,” said van Praag.

In wellness, CEW reports on the Eudēmonia Summit, held earlier this month in West Palm Beach, Florida, drawing over 2,000 wellness and longevity enthusiasts over three days. “Extensive programming featured a mix of movement, mindfulness, and learning,” writes CEW reporter Paige Herman-Axel. Meanwhile, Andrea Nagel goes behind the scenes at Canyon Ranch’s new Enchant program, where luxury beauty meets wellness.

On the fragrance front, Khloé Kardashian has partnered with Luxe Brands to create her first solo scent, XO Khloé, which launches at Harrods on November 25, and Ulta Beauty on December 1. Meanwhile, Alexander Mohr has been appointed President of the International Fragrance Association. And in other celebrity news, Grammy-awarding winning artist Olivia Rodrigo has been tapped as Lancôme’s newest Global Brand Ambassador.

In international news, Sephora plans to open 20 UK stores by 2027. “I know that sometimes we say that retail, and especially retail in the UK, has been doom and gloom,” said Guillaume Motte, Sephora’s Global President and CEO. “My answer to this is always, ‘boring retail is dead, but exciting retail is alive and really thriving.’” And in investments, Shiseido has invested in Apothékary, Ulta Beauty’s newest brand, via a pre-Series A funding round, bringing the total to $8 million.

Catch up on these and other stories at the links below. 

Circana Predicts A Positive Q4. Circana’s 2024 Holiday Purchase Intentions Report shares that consumers plan to spend an average of 2% more than they did last year, Circana data reveals, with Black Friday expectations reaching a four-year high. (CEW)

8 Award-Worthy Skin Care Ingredients To Have On Your Radar. You Need to Know Experts review the finalists of this year’s Supplier’s Award. These ingredients have been identified by the experts reviewing the finalists of this year’s Supplier’s Award, part of CEW’s 2024 Beauty Awards. (CEW)

Five Minutes With Mary van Praag, Global CEO, Milani Cosmetics. Van Praag tells CEW how she has energized the 23-year-old brand since joining in 2020. (CEW)

Behind The Scenes at the Eudēmonia Summit. The spotlight was on the far-reaching benefits of wellness and longevity. (CEW)

Beauty Enchants Canyon Ranch. More than 30 beauty brands participated in Enchant, a new program blending luxury beauty with wellness. (CEW)

Khloé Kardashian Drops First Solo Scent. XO Khloé launches at Harrods on November 25, and Ulta Beauty on December 1. (WWD)

IFF Taps Alexander Mohr As New President. Alexander Mohr has been appointed president of the International Fragrance Association (IFF). (GLOBAL COSMETICS NEWS)

Lancôme Appoints Olivia Rodrigo As Global Brand Ambassador. The Grammy-awarding winning artist is the latest to join the brand’s celebrity line-up. (IN STYLE)

Sephora To Open 20 UK stores by 2027. “Exciting retail is alive and really thriving,” said Guillaume Motte, Sephora’s Global President and CEO. (COSMETICS BUSINESS)

Shiseido Invests In Apothékary. The wellness company is Ulta Beauty’s newest brand. (BEAUTY INDEPENDENT)

Chanel Lights Up Bond Street. Inspired by the iconic Chanel No 5 fragrance bottle, Bond Street’s Christmas lights were switched on in London by actress and Chanel ambassador Lucy Boynton last Thursday. (LUCY BOYNTON, VIA INSTAGRAM)