Coty Inc. (NYSE: COTY) (“Coty” or the “Company”), one of the world’s largest beauty companies with a portfolio of iconic brands across fragrance, colour cosmetics, and skin and body care, has unveiled ambitious plans to accelerate the footprint of its Prestige and Consumer Beauty business segments in India. This ambition is supported by significant investment in India, including the appointment of industry leader Rizwan Mulla as Business Development Director, India, the introduction of new team and office premises, as well as the signing of a strategic agreement with leading distribution and marketing company, House of Beauty.

As the number one fragrance company in India, Coty has already positioned itself as a key player in the Indian beauty market which is valued at US$16.5 billion. Leading the new Coty India team, Rizwan Mulla brings more than 25 years' experience in operational management, business development and marketing to Coty’s Southeast Asia leadership team. Based in Mumbai, Mulla will put his track record of nurturing business potential to work in maximising revenue streams and business value. Underscoring Coty’s long-term commitment to India, Mulla will be tasked with identifying growth opportunities, refining operations, and fostering valuable partnerships for Coty across India. Mulla and his team of Brand, Business Development and e-commerce Managers will be focused on nurturing key customer relationships while driving brand and omni-retail excellence with the local distributors across Prestige and Consumer Beauty divisions.
Kristina Strunz, Managing Director, Coty Southeast Asia and India commented: “Over the past five years, we have witnessed the meteoric rise of Prestige Beauty in India and today it represents one of the key long-term growth opportunities in Asia for Coty. The strategic investment in Coty’s operations in India underlines the company’s ambition to solidify our already strong presence in the sizeable Indian beauty market. We are excited to welcome Rizwan and the team as we gear up to accelerate growth across the luxury and everyday beauty segments in this dynamic and exciting market.”

India’s beauty sector has witnessed incredible growth in the past five years, fueled by more widespread internet access, rising income levels, and a growing population of young consumers who are increasingly conscious of skincare and bodycare. The early adoption of makeup among teens and those entering the job market have also been key drivers in the acceleration of the beauty and personal care market in India. Growing from US$12.3 billion in 2018 to US$15.6 billion in 2022, India’s beauty market is expected to reach US$17.4 billion by 2025.

A key distribution market in Asia, India has embraced key Coty prestige brands including Gucci Beauty, Burberry Beauty, Hugo Boss, Calvin Klein and Davidoff fragrances, and consumer brands such as Rimmel, MaxFactor and Adidas. In the financial year 2023, Coty India grew +65% and this growth trajectory is set to continue in the year ahead, supported by a series of new fragrance releases launches, blockbuster campaigns and upcoming brand launches. Coty’s Prestige brands will make an impact with key launch campaigns featuring the unveiling of Burberry Beauty’s new niche fragrance, Burberry Goddess and Her Elixir; the new release of Gucci Flora Magnolia; and an exclusive lifestyle partnership for Davidoff. In the Consumer Beauty arena, Coty is set to indulge local consumers with the latest MaxFactor campaign and a new range from Adidas.

In another key milestone for Coty Inc., the company has announced the appointment of a new strategic distribution partnership with House of Beauty. A signing ceremony between Kristina Strunz, Managing Director, Coty Southeast Asia and India and Shriti Malhotra, Group CEO Quest Retail - House of Beauty, took place in Mumbai to mark this important collaboration. Tapping into the growing demand across India for Prestige Beauty, the agreement covers the launch of Kylie Cosmetics in India and the development of a retail marketing programme to engage and inspire the millions of Kylie Jenner fans across the country. As a leader in specialty beauty, House of Beauty leverages its extensive expertise in brand building and premium distribution to develop successful beauty brands and omnichannel retail concepts in India.

Strunz added: “We are proud to partner with House of Beauty to help Coty meet the growing demand for Prestige Beauty in India and look forward to launching Kylie Cosmetics over the coming months. Kylie Cosmetics represents a tremendous opportunity to drive the Coty business forward in India, as the brand appeals to a modern shopper with an international outlook who cares about kindness, authenticity, and quality. Coty and the Kylie Cosmetics team have fearlessly grown the brand into a holistic, beauty lifestyle destination with global appeal – and we are confident that this winning formula will resonate well with beauty shoppers in India.” 

Shriti Malhotra, Group CEO Quest Retail - House of Beauty and Kristina Strunz Managing Director, Coty Southeast Asia at the signing ceremony in Mumbai. 

Shriti Malhotra, Group CEO, Quest Retail - House of Beauty added: “We are delighted to complete this partnership between Coty and our Group company, House of Beauty, to add Kylie Cosmetics to our exciting beauty portfolio. Led by Sanjali Giri (VP – International Brand Distribution), House of Beauty has proven successful in building and scaling premium global beauty brands through strong brand storytelling, superior distribution, robust partnerships and extensive omnichannel expertise. There is growing demand across India for quality make-up, best-in-class innovation and immersive marketing activations from international beauty lifestyle brands. Together with Coty, we look forward to strengthening our national portfolio and footprint, and hope to accelerate the rise of premium beauty in South Asia by making Kylie Cosmetics shine in India.”