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Unilever snaps up eco-friendly deodorant brand as it seeks to boost beauty business

2025-11-02 06:26:29 By

Unilever has officially announced its acquisition of refillable deodorant brand Wild, as part of its strategy to expand its footprint in the premium beauty and self-care market.

The financial details of the transaction were not disclosed, but it is estimated that the deal values Wild at £230m, as reported by City AM.

Wild was launched in 2019 by business partners Charlie Bowes-Lyon and Freddy Ward and experienced significant growth during the Covid-19 pandemic, achieving its first profitable year in 2023. "Joining Unilever marks an exciting new chapter for Wild," said co-founder Charlie Bowes-Lyon.

He added: "Our mission to remove single-use plastic from the bathroom with desirable, innovative personal care products will be hugely strengthened by leveraging Unilever's expertise, scale and reach to further grow the brand and bring our vision to more consumers."

Bowes-Lyon told The Times that he hopes Unilever can assist Wild in moving some production, particularly its aluminium casings, from China to Unilever-owned factories in America.

The purchase of Wild aligns with Unilever's Growth Action Plan 2030, which aims to optimise its portfolio towards "premium and high growth spaces," according to the company.

In March, new CEO Fernando Fernandez identified approximately €1bn (£840m) worth of brands in its Foods Europe division that "don't fit well" with the company's portfolio. "[Wild is] a perfect complement to our Personal Care portfolio," stated Fabian Garcia, president of Unilever Personal Care.

Wild has primarily utilised digital advertising channels such as Instagram and TikTok to market its products. However, the news of Wild's acquisition has elicited mixed reactions from creators on these platforms.

For instance, some Instagram creators have begun suggesting alternatives to Wild for consumers who prefer supporting smaller-scale brands.

There are also apprehensions that Wild's environmental credentials may diminish, with many citing Unilever's history of plastic production. Dove, one of Unilever's brands, was criticised by Greenpeace last year for its use of plastic sachets, leading activists to blockade the entrance to Unilever's headquarters on 5th September.

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Retail sales fall as 'trade tensions' and 'autumn budget' hit high street

Retail sales in the UK saw a decline in March, with expectations of further drops as low consumer confidence exacerbates a decade-long downturn in retail. According to the latest trading survey by the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), sales volumes "markedly" fell in the year to March, as reported by City AM. This represents the steepest drop since July of last year and marks six consecutive months of decline, including five straight months of double-digit decreases. "Firms across the retail and wholesale sectors reported that global trade tensions and the Autumn Budget are weighing on consumer and business confidence, which is leading to reduced demand," said Martin Sartorius, principal economist at the CBI. These disappointing results pose a challenge for Chancellor Rachel Reeves, who is set to present the Government's Spring Statement on March 26. Sartorius added: "Tomorrow's Spring Statement is likely to focus on the persistent challenges facing the UK economy, reinforcing the need for policies that boost businesses' confidence to invest." He suggested measures such as reforming business rates, backing the British Business Bank's Growth Guarantee Scheme, and adequately funding the Growth and Skills Levy could bolster business investment plans and propel the government's growth ambitions. The findings from the CBI align with a survey conducted by KPMG, which revealed that Britons plan to reduce spending on everyday items. The survey, which polled 3,000 consumers, also indicated an increasing number of people feeling financially insecure. Analysts at AJ Bell have pointed out the twelve-month low for FTSE350 retailers, citing concerns over weak consumer confidence and unfavourable weather conditions impacting revenue. They also noted that rising costs from national insurance contributions, wages, utilities, and raw materials could further erode profits. The Centre for Retail Research (CRR) suggests that these recent challenges are exacerbating an issue that originated with the financial crisis in 2008.

Hays Travel smashes £3bn landmark and rewards staff with bonuses

Sunderland independent travel agency Hays Travel is celebrating a milestone £3bn in Total Transaction Value (TTV) for the first time in its history, leading to it sharing the success with its staff. The holiday firm achieved the landmark figure, which represents the total gross value of all sales or transactions for travel services or products, a month ahead of the end of its financial year on April 30. This has triggered bonus payments for the workforce. The TTV is the sum of all revenue generated from travel-related bookings, including airline tickets, hotel reservations, car rentals, and other travel-related services. The new figure is £500m higher than the one reported by the Sunderland business in its last accounts. In recognition of their contribution to Hays Travel's success and their loyalty to the company, Dame Irene Hays announced in a video message that each employee will receive £100 for every year they have worked at Hays Travel. This means some long-serving staff members who have been with the firm for decades stand to receive more than £3,000. Earlier this year, Dame Irene dismissed reports of an economic downturn in the UK after witnessing a significant increase in business at the end of 2024 and the beginning of 2025. She noted that people are now willing to spend more on their holidays than in previous years, reports Chronicle Live. Dame Irene Hays, the owner and chair of Hays Travel, has expressed her pride in the company's adherence to its core principles over its 45-year history, attributing its success to the dedication of its staff. "Since Hays Travel began trading 45 years ago, we have always remained true to our vision and values, and our strategic priorities: our people, our customers, and the communities where we operate. As I have said many times, our success is down to our people, which is why achieving this £3bn milestone is an opportunity to demonstrate just how much their excellent work and unwavering loyalty are appreciated." Lenore Mason, who oversees recruitment and people services at Hays Travel, shared her personal journey with the company, highlighting the firm's commitment to its workforce and values. "This is my 37th year with Hays Travel - I feel so fortunate to work alongside brilliant people, for a company that values me and has continued to grow in the region where I grew up. Although Hays Travel has seen many changes over the years it has always been totally committed to its values and people. Today's news is exciting for everyone and just shows how much we are appreciated!" The travel agency, which recently inaugurated a new branch in Dalton Park, County Durham, has experienced substantial growth over the past six years, marked by significant increases in Total Transaction Value (TTV) and turnover, partly due to a series of strategic acquisitions. For the year ending on 30 April 2024, Hays Travel reported a TTV of £2.55 billion, representing a 17% rise from the previous year, with a group pre-tax profit standing at £73.4 million. The company's growth trajectory saw it reach £500 million in TTV in 2012, £1 billion in 2018, and £2 billion in 2024. In a remarkable growth story, Hays Travel experienced unprecedented expansion in October 2019 when it took over the operation of all 555 branches of the defunct Thomas Cook holiday firm. The company continued its acquisition spree by taking over the Explorer Franchise in 2021, followed by Just Go's 45 North West branches, and Travel House's 16 outlets in South Wales in 2023. In addition, it acquired three Holiday With Us branches in Lincolnshire, and 19 Miles Morgan Travel shops across the South West and South Wales in 2024. As a result, Hays Travel is now the UK's largest independent travel agent, boasting nearly 500 branches nationwide and employing around 4,500 staff. The family-run business prides itself on its commitment to nurturing talent, with more than 700 apprentices and graduates being trained this year alone. Each branch is also given £500 annually to invest in local initiatives.

Co-op profit rockets ahead of supermarket 'trolley wars' as it reveals membership surge

The Co-op has announced a significant surge in profit for 2024, just as the grocery sector braces for potential 'trolley wars.' The Manchester headquartered group's revenue remained largely steady year on year, with a slight increase of 0.2 per cent to £11.3bn, while its underlying profit saw a substantial rise of 35 per cent to £131m, as reported by City AM. Operating profit more than doubled from £66m to £151m, and profit before tax experienced an almost six-fold increase from £28m to £161m. The Co-op attributed this profit boost to increased operating profits and improved returns on Funeralcare plan investments. The Co-op operates across various sectors including food retail through convenience stores, wholesale via Nisa, funeral care, legal services, and insurance. The number of active Co-op members, who collectively own the business, grew by 22 per cent to 6.2m, up from 5.1m in 2023, and is "on track" to reach 8m by 2030. Co-op chair Debbie White said: "These results show that our strategy on delivering for our member owners whilst also delivering long term financial and operational progress is working." She added: "I'm particularly delighted we have increased our active membership by 22 per cent. "We continue to focus on long term profitable growth, creating more value for all our member owners and the communities they live in," White further stated. Last month, the Co-op invested over £70m to match Aldi's prices on 100 everyday essentials for its members. Co-op, the UK's seventh-largest supermarket as per Kantar data, has not seen an increase in market share in recent years. It took 5.3 percent of the market in the 12 weeks to March 24, 2025, down 0.1 per cent year on year, according to Kantar. But it has been growing in the convenience space - its share of the quick-food market has grown 0.6 per cent year on year, according to Circana. The retailer's strategy to slash prices is aimed at drawing cost-conscious customers amid a challenging economic climate where brand loyalty is low. Yet, with major supermarkets, including a rejuvenated Asda management, prepped to cut prices, industry analysts are cautioning that intense competition, or 'trolley wars,' may soon intensify within the grocery market. Co-op CEO Shirine Khoury-Haq expressed optimism despite the tough times: "While broader economic challenges remain, our businesses are delivering strongly against the market and I'm proud that we continue to provide support to our colleagues, members, and their communities through the continued cost of living challenges they face."

Watches of Switzerland share price dips as Peel Hunt slashes target amid economic uncertainty

City broker Peel Hunt has reduced its price target for Watches of Switzerland by 20%, attributing the decision to decreased spending and increased prices posing challenges for the retailer. The luxury watch company's target price was downgraded from 500p to 400p, as reported by City AM. As of midday on April 7, shares in the retailer were trading at 335p, marking a 2.8% drop on Monday and nearly a 20% decline since 'Liberation Day' on April 2. "With uncertainty so high, we are not attracted to the shares even after their fall," stated Peel Hunt. The broker cautioned that US watch prices could surge by 10 to 15%, spelling trouble for a sector already grappling with demand issues. "While there's not much price elasticity on Rolex and Patek products, other brands could see volumes impacted," the broker noted. Rolex and Patek Philippe watches account for approximately 60% of Watches of Switzerland's sales. The US market served as the company's primary growth driver in the second quarter, with revenue climbing 24% to £355m. "Our forecasts have most of the group's growth coming from the US. We will wait until the economic backdrop calms and see how the US consumer responds... but the risk is clearly to the downside," Peel Hunt commented. "The likelihood is that the US consumer, crucial to the growth story here, will remain nervous for some time," the broker added. Another concern is that many of the watches sold by these retailers are manufactured in Switzerland, which is subject to a 31 per cent tariff, although some products are sourced locally from American distributors. RBC analysts highlighted that the watch company has lower margins than its competitors, making it more challenging to respond to tariffs.

Michael Kors to cut prices as sales suffer huge hit amid cost-of-living crisis

The UK subsidiary of the esteemed fashion label Michael Kors has disclosed its intentions to reduce prices following a considerable decline in sales. During the year ending 30 March, 2025, the division's revenue plummeted by 20 percent. This drop occurred amidst widespread store closures and as a consequence of the cost-of-living crisis, as reported by City AM. Michael Kors notably shuttered outlets in Newcastle, Milton Keynes, and Manchester, along with a concession in Harvey Nichols, London. Furthermore, the company announced an expected reduction in prices "in the foreseeable future" aiming to align more appropriately with consumer demands and to strategically address competition in the market. This information was incorporated into the financial accounts of Michael Kors for the fiscal year up to 30 March, 2024, which were submitted belatedly to Companies House. According to the recently filed accounts, the company saw a decrease in turnover from £77.1 million to £70.8 million over one year. However, its pre-tax profit surged from £40.4 million to £66.1 million within the same timeframe. In reference to that fiscal year, the company observed: "The overall result of the period reflects sustainability of the global 'Michael Kors' brand, where despite the level of competition and the current challenges in the economic environment affecting the UK retail sector, Michael Kors continues to be a profitable business." Michael Kors is part of Capri Holdings which also encompasses luxury brands Versace and Jimmy Choo. In August 2023, the conglomerate was snapped up by Tapestry, the American fashion powerhouse behind high-end brands such as Coach and Kate Spade, in a deal worth $8.5bn (£6.6bn). Fast forward to December 2024, Versace's UK division reported a year-on-year turnover of £19.1m for the 12 months ending 31 March 2024, marking a decrease from the previous £23.8m. Simultaneously, its pre-tax profit also took a hit, dwindling from £314,862 to a mere £112,895.

New name for WH Smith shops revealed as High Street chain sold

WH Smith has agreed to sell its UK high street chain to Hobbycraft owner Modella Capital in a deal valuing it at £76 million, and will be rebranded. The sale does not include the retailer’s travel locations, such as shops in airports and train stations – nor the WHSmith brand. All the approximately 480 stores and 5,000 staff working for the high street businesses will move under Modella Capital’s ownership as part of the deal. The estate – not including the travel locations – are set to rebrand as TGJones, the company revealed. Group chief executive Carl Cowling said: “As we continue to deliver on our strategic ambition to become the leading global travel retailer, this is a pivotal moment for WHSmith as we become a business exclusively focused on travel. As our travel business has grown, our UK high street business has become a much smaller part of the WHSmith Group. “High Street is a good business; it is profitable and cash generative with an experienced and high-performing management team. However, given our rapid international growth, now is the right time for a new owner to take the high street business forward and for the WHSmith leadership team to focus exclusively on our travel business. I wish the High Street team every success.” WHSmith was founded in 1792 by Henry Walton Smith and his wife Anna as a small news vendor in Little Grosvenor Street, London. After Henry's death, his son William Henry Smith took over, and the company became WHSmith & Son. By 1848, WHSmith opened its first railway bookstall at Euston Station, pioneering book retailing at train stations across the UK. The railway bookstalls made WHSmith a household name and expanded its presence nationwide. The company continued to grow, opening more high street stores and railway stalls. In 1929, WHSmith became a publicly traded company. WHSmith introduced the first-ever self-service bookshops in the 1970s. The company expanded internationally, opening stores in Europe, Canada, and the USA. In 2006, it split its high street and news distribution businesses, selling the wholesale division. The company acquired Funkypigeon.com, an online greeting card retailer, in 2010. It expanded internationally, opening stores in airports across the Middle East, Asia, and North America.

Pizza Express lands £55m chunk of extra dough after refinancing deal

Pizza Express has secured a significant financial uplift of £55m following a refinancing agreement that will substantially reduce its debt. The popular restaurant chain has successfully arranged a £55m par debt paydown, which will bring its debt level down to £280m, as reported by City AM. Additionally, as part of the refinancing strategy, shareholders including Bain Capital Special Situations are set to contribute £20m in equity to the firm's parent entity, Wheel Topco. The company has also confirmed "strong support" for extending the maturity of its senior secured notes from July 2026 to September 2029. More than 97% of existing bondholders have endorsed Pizza Express's refinancing deal, indicating widespread backing. The brand has reported a positive start to its financial year, with like-for-like sales up by 1.3% in the first two months compared to the same period in the previous year. In a statement, Pizza Express highlighted that it now possesses "a robust liquidity position on completion, supported by its strong track record of cash generation." CEO Paula MacKenzie expressed satisfaction with the company's performance at the beginning of the year and emphasised the significance of the refinancing: "We are pleased with our start to the year, and completing a landmark refinancing ends Q1 strongly." As Pizza Express approaches its 60th anniversary, MacKenzie reaffirmed the company's commitment to customer satisfaction: "This year we celebrate being 60 years young with Pizza Express fans up and down the country, and our focus remains unchanged as ever...delighting each and every one." The refinancing agreement arrives just over 18 months after the firm contemplated a takeover bid for The Restaurant Group, which encompasses Wagamama. However, a deal was not ultimately pursued.

Potato chips giant McCain doubles profit to nearly £100m in just three years

The UK division of potato giant McCain Foods has seen its profits soar to nearly £100m in its most recent financial year. The North Yorkshire-based UK branch of the Canadian behemoth reported a pre-tax profit of £98.7m for the 12 months ending on 30 June, 2024, as reported by City AM. This figure, disclosed in new accounts submitted to Companies House, is an increase from the previous year's pre-tax profit of £77.3m. This latest total indicates that McCain has almost doubled its pre-tax profit since June 2021. The newly released results also reveal that the company's revenue leapt from £712.5m to £799.1m during the same period. While McCain's UK revenue increased from £692.4m to £781.1m over the year, sales in the rest of Europe fell from £18.6m to £15.6m. However, in other parts of the world, revenue rose from £1.5m to £2.2m. A statement approved by the board read: "The business had to manage multiple challenges across the supply chain impacting costs and supply." It added: "Farmers faced weather-related challenges throughout the season due to wet weather as well as increased pressure from rising input costs including fuel and fertilisers." Despite these obstacles, the statement noted that sales growth was positive in both retail and food service sectors, and the business continued to support long-term agricultural sustainability through higher contract pricing in line with indexation and supplementing high energy costs for storage growers. "The company continued to make significant investments throughout the year in both capital, including the renewal of the Scarborough facility, and the brand, including media advertising." On its future strategy, McCain commented: "As a brand leader, the company believes it can continue to stimulate growth in a planet-friendly way, through innovation, quality and service and continues to invest in capacity to support this growth." "The company has a crisis management plan in place to respond to risks, including Covid-19 and the Russia-Ukraine crisis." An interim dividend of £8m was addressed for the fiscal year ending 30 June, 2024, but the board has not proposed a final dividend.

Pets at Home says profit fell in line with expectations and warns of struggles ahead

Pets at Home has reported that its profit has fallen in line with expectations, according to its latest performance update. However, the company has also warned of potential challenges ahead, as reported by City AM. The group anticipates a pre-tax profit of £133m for the year, which aligns with previous forecasts. Despite a "challenging and volatile UK consumer backdrop", the company stated that trends in the final quarter of the year developed as expected across both its Retail and Vets divisions. The firm highlighted record numbers of Pets Club members and continued growth in its Vets business. It expects to conclude the full 2025 financial year in a net cash position, having returned approximately £85m to investors throughout the year. Over the past year, Pets at Home has completed its new digital platform and network optimisation. With the introduction of this new platform, the company now has two "major strategic programmes" aimed at facilitating business growth in the coming year. Looking ahead, the group expects current market conditions and consumer backdrop to persist into the new financial year. However, it predicts further profit growth following the "exceptional levels" achieved in the past two financial years. In its Retail division, the group expects to outperform the market as its investments in digital start to pay off. Nevertheless, the company anticipates an £18m hit due to increased employers' national insurance contributions. The firm has forecasted a dip in profit for the 2026 financial year to an estimated £115m to £125m, due to rising expenses. Shore Capital analyst David Hughes remarked: "The continued decline in the Retail arm is likely a cause for concern for investors, however the ongoing growth in the higher margin Vet business is encouraging and if the business does gain market share, it does have the potential to emerge stronger as and when the consumer does recover."

Morrisons sales jump days after announcing 365 staff face redundancy

Morrisons has announced a surge in sales to £4 billion in its latest quarter, just days after the supermarket revealed that hundreds of jobs are at risk. The grocery behemoth reported a 2.4% increase in sales for the quarter ending January 26 compared to the same period last year, while also raising its savings targets. The firm disclosed that it achieved £56 million in savings during this period and upped its long-term savings goal from £700 million to £1 billion. CEO Rami Baitieh acknowledged that Morrisons was operating in "a challenging environment" and that the revised savings target would "help us offset cost headwinds, invest for customers and remain competitive in a fast-changing market". Earlier this week, Morrisons declared that 365 jobs were under threat due to plans to shutter some of its cafes, convenience stores, florists and fresh food counters. The supermarket chain explained that the cost of running these services exceeded the revenue generated from customer spending. The planned closures will result in the shutdown of 52 cafes, all 18 market kitchens, 17 Morrisons Daily convenience stores, 13 florists, 35 meat counters, 35 fish counters and four pharmacies. According to Kantar's data, Morrisons is the UK's fifth largest supermarket and employs approximately 95,000 staff nationwide. Mr Baitieh praised the supermarket's swift advancement, attributing it to the dedication and customer-oriented approach of the staff across various sectors, saying: "has made exceptional progress in a very short time and that is entirely down to the hard work, positivity, talent and customer focus of the colleagues in our stores, in our food-making sites and in our operations across the country". This growth in sales has been achieved notwithstanding a significant cyber attack before Christmas, which continued to disrupt product availability well into January.