Fashion glossy Marie Claire and Speciality Stores, a subsidiary of Ocado Group, are to form a partnership to launch a new beauty and wellbeing business that will allow customers to purchase from both physical stores and online.
The new multi-million pound venture will be led by Amanda Scott, currently head of buying for beauty and accessories at John Lewis, who will work closely with Marie Claire’s publishing director, Justine Southall.
“I am delighted to have the opportunity to lead this new venture,” said Scott. “Marie Claire has extensive knowledge and influence in the world of beauty that is widely respected; the trust consumers have in this brand gives it natural leverage to move into retail, particularly within this category.
“Together with the multi-million pound investment and backing of Ocado, this partnership will combine to provide the consumer with a unique proposition and a seamless customer experience.”
Marie Claire, which first launched in France in 1937, currently has a circulation of 200,000, according to the latest Consumer ABCs.
Jackie Newcombe, managing director of Time Inc. UK’s luxury brands, which publishes Marie Claire, added: “Time Inc. UK’s strategy is to harness the incredible trust that consumers have in our brands and to offer new products and services to fulfil their needs.
“Marie Claire’s influence in the beauty sector is unparalleled, both with consumers and beauty companies, and especially now that the way that women are buying beauty products is changing rapidly. Our beauty proposition will reflect those changes and we will offer outstanding service, thanks to the partnership with Ocado, who have expertise in this area without equal.”
