Sourcing reimagined

Product development is the lifeblood of the beauty industry as innovation in this segment is the epicenter of brand building. But with an influx of new ingredients, evolving standards like MoCRA, and clinical claims becoming tablestakes, it’s becoming more complicated to operate in this space. How should brand leaders think about product development now and we discuss the ongoing question of what to outsource (or not).

Escalating marketing expenses are squeezing already tight margins as customer acquisition and retention hinge increasingly on pay-to-play social media and advertising tactics. Leading marketers share the ways they are adapting messaging to zero in on core customer segments and how they are optimizing and amplifying content to yield the highest returns in a crowded landscape.

If direct-to-consumer kickstarts the journey, then retail partnerships drive expansion and scale. Now, more than ever though, success hinges on cash infusion for inventory, store associate education, and marketing fuel. As the retail landscape is in flux–consolidations and bankruptcies abound– having a companion capital strategy is an imperative part of a retail strategy. Delve into the complexities of fundraising for this stage–when's the opportune moment? And post-capital injection, how does a brand strategically allocate resources for maximum impact in stores?

For brand founders, acquisition represents the pinnacle achievement. But, the journey to exit is rife with complexities—logistical and emotional alike. Three brand founders who have taken their brands through the finish line dissect the exit process, from strategic evaluation to execution and share insights into determining the optimal path for a brand and navigating life post-acquisition.