LONDON, February 3, 2015 – Marie Claire, the upmarket fashion glossy, and Speciality Stores Ltd, a subsidiary of Ocado Group, are forming a partnership to launch a premium beauty and wellbeing business offering customers the opportunity to purchase from both physical stores and online.

 

The new venture will be led by Amanda Scott, currently Head of Buying for Beauty and Accessories at John Lewis, who spearheaded the department store’s impressive growth in the beauty category in recent years. Amanda will be Managing Director, working closely with Marie Claire’s Publishing Director, Justine Southall.

 

Jackie Newcombe, Managing Director of Time Inc. UK’s luxury brands, says:

“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 fulfill 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.”

 

Justine Southall adds:

“This launch will be the perfect combination of content provider, consumer and commerce. Marie Claire’s brand authority, Amanda’s talent and the world-leading technology, logistics and ecommerce expertise of Ocado means I couldn’t be more excited about the potential of this launch!”

 

Amanda Scott says:

“I am delighted to have the opportunity to lead this new venture. 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.”

 

James Matthews, Commercial Director of Speciality Stores, says:

“We are really excited by the partnership with Marie Claire, and collectively we are confident we can bring something fresh and unique to the beauty retail marketplace which will inspire customers.”

 

 

About Time Inc. UK

 

Time Inc. UK is Britain’s leading publisher of print and digital magazine content. With more than 60 iconic brands – including Decanter, Country Life, Horse & Hound, NME, What’s on TV and Wallpaper* – Time Inc. UK (formerly IPC Media) creates content for multiple platforms, across print, online, mobile, tablets and experiences.

 

About Marie Claire

 

Marie Claire is a compelling media destination that combines provocative features and outstanding fashion to inspire women who want to think smart and look amazing. It is a worldwide icon with editions in 36 countries and is published in the UK in partnership with French publishing company Groupe Marie Claire. The UK edition, published by Time Inc. (UK), was launched in 1988. In addition, marieclaire.co.uk has fast become the established daily news, fashion beauty and celebrity destination for the modern, thinking woman.

 

About Speciality Stores Ltd

 

Speciality Stores Ltd is a wholly owned subsidiary of Ocado group, with access to Ocado’s technology and logistics platform for the purpose of developing new general merchandise retailers. Speciality Stores currently runs Sizzle.co.uk and Fetch.co.uk.

 

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CONTACT:

 

Victoria Higham

Time Inc. (UK) Ltd

020 3148 5401

victoria.higham@timeinc.com