Revolution Beauty has secured a licensing agreement with shareholder Debenhams Group to produce beauty and fragrance lines, marking a complete reset of relations years after a highly publicized boardroom dispute.
The new licensing arrangement allows Revolution to create products across Debenhams' portfolio of brands, complementing existing partnerships with retailers such as Boots and Superdrug. Initial collections are expected to arrive before Christmas and will include a selection of fragrance and gift items for brands PrettyLittleThing, Karen Millen, and BoohooMan. Additional launches are planned across Debenhams-owned labels and its own retail platforms.
Tom Allsworth, chief executive of Revolution Beauty, said: "Since returning to the business last year, our relationship with Debenhams Group has been completely reset, and it is gratifying to see that reflected in a formal partnership between the two businesses. By combining the strength of Debenhams Group's brands with Revolution's expertise, we believe these licenses can become a significant growth opportunity for both businesses." He noted that preliminary feedback on product concepts tested has been "exceptionally positive."
Under the arrangement, Revolution will handle development, manufacturing, and distribution, while paying Manchester-based Debenhams a royalty based on sales. Debenhams Group, rebranded from Boohoo Group last year, holds over a quarter of Revolution Beauty's shares. The two firms became embroiled in a public dispute in 2023 over demands to replace Revolution's leadership team. Tensions escalated when Revolution defied a shareholder vote and reinstated its executives, subsequently issuing share awards without investor approval. However, the company declared the matter resolved after the departure of former chief executive Bob Holt and chairman Derek Zissman.
Last year, the beauty business welcomed back co-founders Adam Minto and Mr. Allsworth, who had previously stepped down amid accounting issues, to lead a significant turnaround program. Revolution acknowledged that its financial performance under previous management fell short of expectations, with revenues declining sharply and losses deepening, though it expressed confidence in its ability to return to growth.
Dan Finley, chief executive of Debenhams Group, said: "Beauty is one of the most compelling category opportunities available to us, and Revolution Beauty has the capability and relationships to bring tailored collections to market across the full portfolio. We look forward to seeing the first launches come to life."
