European Beauty Transactions Lead Global Market in 2025
Europe held a 47 percent share of global beauty sector deals during 2025 as the industry saw a rise in overall transaction volume.
Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Beauty
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The global beauty and personal care industry recorded 384 transactions in 2025, marking an 8 percent increase in deal volume compared to 2024. During this period, Europe remained the primary hub for activity, accounting for 47 percent of all global beauty transactions.
Why it matters
Major beauty conglomerates are currently prioritizing the reorganization of existing portfolios and the integration of past acquisitions over new deal-making. Buyers are specifically focusing on target brands that demonstrate proven profitability and strategic fit rather than pure growth.
The average value of reported beauty deals fell from $26 million in 2024 to $22 million in 2025. Furthermore, deals valued under $100 million represented 86 percent of acquisitions with disclosed values during the first half of 2026.
The details
While Europe maintained its dominance, market dynamics shifted elsewhere, with North America capturing 31 percent of transactions in the first half of 2026. Financial buyers have become increasingly active, representing 56 percent of deals during that same six-month window.
Timeline
In 2024, fast-growing brand acquisitions accounted for 30 percent of total transactions.
During 2025, Europe secured a 47 percent share of all global beauty deals.
Financial buyers were responsible for 56 percent of sector transactions in the first half of 2026.
Conglomerate restructuring is expected to yield increased acquisition opportunities starting in 2027.
Culture Shift
This activity follows the broader corporate trend of prioritizing portfolio consolidation over the rapid, debt-fueled expansion seen in previous years. It highlights a shift in consumer and investor focus toward stable, profitable legacy brands over the high-growth, celebrity-backed startups that once dominated the headlines.
Consumers may notice a transition toward more established, reliable products as major companies focus on integrating smaller brands into their core offerings. Shoppers should expect fewer high-profile new brand launches in the short term as parent companies streamline their existing catalogs for greater profitability.
The takeaway
The beauty industry is currently in a phase of strategic consolidation that favors operational efficiency over rapid acquisition. Investors and brand loyalists should anticipate a period of stability while conglomerates focus on optimizing their current product lineups through 2026.
Further reading
For more information on market trends, visit our Beauty section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Modaes.
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