Luxury Chinese beauty group USHOPAL acquired UK-based skincare brand Argentum Apothecary following an initial investment in the company last November.
WHO: Founded by Joy Isaacs in 2011, Argentum Apothecary consists of a luxury range of products from natural origins, delivering groundbreaking science to become a leader in modern skincare. After years of research in the field of dermocosmetics, the brand has formulated a globally patented fusion of two vital ingredients, silver hydrosol and DNA HP, based on the work of Nobel Prize-winning scientists.
The brand has a flagship store in West London's Notting Hill and is distributed in 26 countries, as well as in online stores Net-a-Porter and Bonnie&Clyde.
USHOPAL is a Shanghai-based luxury beauty brand group, developing and investing in the next generation of luxury brands in the beauty and wellness space. In 2021, the group completed a $100MM financing round with Fountain Vest and Cathay Capital and announced its upcoming IPO.
Its acceleration platform has built global luxury brands into Gen Z-loved category leaders in China. By leveraging unique content and community and an omni-growth approach, USHOPAL has successfully scaled brands like Chantecaille, Suqqu, Natura Bisse, Argentum, and Juliette Has A Gun.
Additionally, USHOPAL owns the retail chain Bonnie&Clyde, the only experiential omnichannel multi-brand luxury retail chain which notably boasts the highest average ticket price in luxury beauty retail.
WHY: The deal signals USHOPAL's readiness for global expansion. The group will continue to develop Argentum Apothecary's dominant position within the Asia market while expanding its presence across the Americas and Europe. Together through joint research and innovation they will co-develop the next generation of products.
IN THEIR OWN WORDS: "Unlike capital only partners, USHOPAL nurtures and inspires brand founders to focus and excel in strategy, branding and product excellence while also providing needed capital to ensure a precision scale-up that supports supply chain and ongoing R&D," said Joy Isaacs, Argentum Apothecary founder & CEO.
Lu Guo, USHOPAL founder and CEO, said, "We have observed in the past 12 months, Argentum Apothecary has not only maintained a top 5 position in Gen Z driven luxury beauty brands within China, but has quickly grown to market leader across Asia, particularly within the Gen Z consumer base."
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