An augmented reality (AR) mirror at the new Seoul flagship boutique of cosmetics powerhouse Amorepacific makes easy work of testing out beauty products virtually.

UK consumer confidence has risen again although it remains fragile as there are few signs of economic stability. And while intentions to purchase are improving, consumers are still generally very cautious.

More figures are emerging to show that UK retail sales have started to recover but remain well down on where they should be at this time. And fashion is still under heavy pressure.

Coty Inc on Thursday named former top executive of L'Oreal, Sue Nabi, as chief executive officer, its third CEO in this year, sending the shares of the cosmetics maker up about 4% in premarket trading.

Many retailers are taking the opportunity afforded them by the end of lockdowns to refresh aspects of their business and the latest to do so is Marks & Spencer, which is relaunching its loyalty programme, Sparks.

River Island has become the latest fashion retailer to move into the beauty sector with news that it has signed a seven-year deal to launch cosmetics, fragrances and toiletries for women, men and kids.

The debate is raging about how permanent consumers’ move to online shopping will be post-Covid-19. But a new report suggests it could have shifted the balance between retail and e-tail more durably than some believe. 

Primark had some good news on Thursday, saying that since its last trading update a month ago, its stores have reopened more quickly than expected, particularly in Ireland, and trading is on an upswing.

Fragrance house Interparfums announced on Wednesday that it has entered into an agreement with Divabox to acquire 25 percent of its ecommerce platform Origines-Parfums. 

Procter & Gamble said Wednesday that it will not make any announcements about its activities on advertising platforms, in response to the growing advertising boycott against Facebook.

Worldwide protests about the treatment of Black people will alter the global fashion and beauty industries by creating job opportunities and products catering for a broader range of consumers, the model said.

On what should have been a ‘normal’ day in the UK retail sector, John Lewis became latest company to announce negative news with the prospect of store closures and job cuts ahead.

Philip Green's giant fashion group Arcadia is planning to axe 500 jobs at its London head office, 20% of the HQ's total headcount, it said on Wednesday, blaming the coronavirus crisis for the move.

Harrods is believed to be cutting up to 700 jobs as the fallout from the coronavirus crisis continues to devastate the retail sector. That number would mean up to 14% of its workforce being made redundant.

As of June 26, while British Land had been able to collect 88% of the rent owed for its office properties, in retail, only 36% of the rent due for the June quarter had come in.

Major British retail landlord Hammerson issued an update on Wednesday that showed reopenings in England, Ireland and France are well under way, but it has been struggling to collect rents from some retail tenants.