Business · Companies · 8 hrs ago
Douglas faces slowing growth as new CEO prepares to take over
Douglas is losing ground as competitors grow in Europe’s beauty retail market, despite remaining the region’s largest seller of fragrance, cosmetics and personal care products.
The Düsseldorf-based company operates about 1,970 stores across 22 countries and says it has a 22% share of the European market.
Jean-Marc Bellaiche is due to take over as CEO on November 1, replacing Sander van der Laan, who has led the company since 2022.
The change comes as shoppers look for cheaper products and shop more online, putting pressure on premium-focused retailers.
Rising living costs have also encouraged some consumers to replace luxury products with drugstore brands or cut beauty spending.
Douglas has lowered its forecast twice and expects sales to grow by only 0% to 1% in the financial year ending October 31; revenue fell 2% in the April-to-June quarter.
The company’s shares have fallen 71% since it returned to the stock market in 2024, and Bellaiche will take charge as rivals gain ground.
Douglas expects revenue growth of only 0% to 1% in the financial year ending October 31, after lowering its forecast twice this year.
The company’s revenue fell 2% in the third quarter, from April to June 2026.
Jean-Marc Bellaiche is due to take over as CEO on November 1, 2026, succeeding Sander van der Laan.
Douglas remains Europe’s largest retailer of fragrances, cosmetics and personal care products, but competitors are growing as shoppers increasingly seek online, trend-driven and lower-priced products.
Douglas shares have lost 71% of their value since the company returned to the stock market in spring 2024.
- Who
- Douglas, the European cosmetics retailer, and its incoming CEO, Jean-Marc Bellaiche.
- What
- Douglas faces slowing growth and stronger competition as Bellaiche prepares to take over from Sander van der Laan.
- When
- Bellaiche takes over on November 1, 2026. Douglas’s financial year ends on October 31.
- Where
- Douglas operates in 22 countries and identifies Europe as its market.
- Why
- The article cites cautious consumer spending and competition from faster-growing retailers offering online, trend-driven and cheaper products.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Sander van der Laan began leading Douglas.
Douglas returned to the stock market with an issue price of 26 euros.
Douglas’s revenue fell 2% in the third quarter of its financial year.
Jean-Marc Bellaiche is due to take over as CEO.
- Incoming CEO
- Jean-Marc Bellaiche
- CEO handover
- November 1, 2026
- Revenue forecast
- 0% to 1% growth for the financial year ending October 31
- Third-quarter revenue
- Down 2% in April–June 2026
- Store network
- About 1,970 stores in 22 countries
- Share-price change
- Down 71% since Douglas returned to the stock market in spring 2024
What people are saying
der richtige Zeitpunkt, die Führung an jemanden zu übergeben, der frisches Denken und neue Ideen mitbringt
sehr sorgfältig und langfristig im Hintergrund vorbereitet