Tesco recently overtook Boots as the largest retailer of personal care and toiletries in the UK.
The supermarket giant increased its share of the beauty market by 3 per cent over the year to September to 20.8 per cent, as Boots suffered a decline of 10 per cent over the same period to 20.5 per cent.
The Covid-19 pandemic has shaken up the supermarket and drugstore/pharmacy cosmetics business worldwide as both sectors remained open as essential businesses in major markets, including Australia.
With mass beauty and personal care brands looking to become even more important to consumers tightening their belts. Reckitt Benckiser is reportedly in sales talks for its portfolio of power personal care brands, including Clearasil, Veet, Scholl and E45.
A tight band of private equity firms, including Clayton Dubillier & Rice (CD&R) are looking to buy the stable for a rumoured AUD$1.81 billion.
CD&R sold off High Ridge Brands, the maker of Alberto VO5, Zest, Reach and Dr Fresh, to Tengram and Perrigo earlier this year.
In 2016, the private equity major paid US$415 million for the haircare, skin cleansing and oral care manufacturer.
The rise of maskne – acne caused by mask-wearing – and at-home pedis has increased the attraction of iconic brands such as Clearasil and Scholl as we wait for a vaccine for Covid-19.