US beauty titan Ulta has just acquired Space NK, a chain of 83 beauty stores in the UK and Ireland. The deal gives Ulta an immediate foothold in the market while Space NK, a long-time supporter of niche brands, will benefit from the scale, brand relationships and resources of its new owner. Could the deal provide the previous owner, Manzanita Capital, with funds to acquire new brands?

As the luxury sector encounters its biggest downturn in years, brands are embracing innovation in packaging to address consumer concerns. Beauty and sustainability are still important and with the soon to be standard Digital Product Passport (DPP), technology will allow the outer pack to communicate transparency, sourcing and the brand story.

It’s music festival season so why not take an olfactory trip down memory lane to the first mega-events and the smells that accompanied them? From the patchouli fueled era of psychedelic rock to the quest for clean smelling scents to counteract days of partying, this escapist article pairs many niche perfumes with moments at Glastonbury.

If, after our series on Soviet Perfume, you are hungry for more history about fragrance in Russia, here’s an interesting article that covers the relationship between luxury goods company Fabergé and fragrance. The brand history spans a product cycle from Imperial jewel-encrusted eggs to Brut fragrance.

Fragrance consumption – especially niche fragrance – continues to rise, and as seen before, Gen Z has been a key driver. They’re fueling their passion for scent on TikTok and in dedicated forums, gaining knowledge and some are even pursuing the craft. An interesting look at the historical context.

The latest IRL trend for fragrance lovers in the US is taking the form of perfume swap parties. Place you unloved scent on the table and go home with something new. The parties have gained traction through TikTok and are often hosted by perfume podcast hosts. Will the trend cross the Atlantic soon?

There’s a reimagined way to shop for fragrance, now available at the Thameem counter at Selfridges. Users select words that resonate with them while testing scent and then Kaorium, a high tech diagnostic tool powered by AI can recommend fragrances that align with their emotional response and sensory preferences. Check it out on your next trip to London.