A spree of high-profile buyouts has made The Hut Group (THG) the largest online retailer of premium beauty products in Europe.
Over the past three years, UK-based THG has acquired RY.com.au, Australia’s largest haircare and skincare online store, Christophe Robin, the luxury French haircare brand, Illamasqua, the London-based cosmetics brand, ESPA, the prestige natural skincare company and Eyeko, the eye makeup specialist.
The company has reported full year 2019 sales of pounds 1.14 billion (AUD$2.08 billion). Close to half of all sales – 46 per cent – came from THG’s beauty division and 66 per cent of total revenues were international.
Just over a third of sales – 34 per cent- were centred on the UK. The second largest market was Europe (26%), followed by Asia/Pacific (24%) and North America (16%).
According to THG, Lookfantastic, which launched in Australia in October 2018, was one of its best-performing brands. Wellness sales were also a major highlight, delivering 36 per cent of revenues.
Gross profits also surged 20 per cent to AUD$937 million.