Mon, 09 Mar 2026 | BUSINESS SALE
Online cosmetics retailer Beauty Bay has been acquired out of administration in a pre-pack deal. The Greater Manchester-based company, which had filed two notices of intention (NOI) to appoint administrators over recent weeks, has been acquired by French-owned AA Investments Group.
Beauty Bay had established itself as one of the UK’s leading online beauty retailers, selling over 200 beauty brands via its online store, along with its own product range. In the year to March 31 2024, it had reported turnover of £78.1 million and returned to an operating profit of more than £1 million.
However, the business had come under sustained pressure recently amid wider challenges in the UK retail industry, including cost inflation, weak consumer confidence and policy uncertainty.
Directors undertook a review of the company’s investment options, but, with no solvent solution available, the decision was taken to place the business into administration. Following the filing of two NOIs, Rick Harrison and James Clark of Interpath Advisory were appointed as joint administrators of Beauty Bay Limited.
Immediately following their appointment, the joint administrators concluded a sale of the business and its assets to AA Investments Group, a specialist in operating companies across the beauty, ecommerce and luxury sectors.
The deal will see 62 staff transfer to the buyer, with joint founder Arron Gabbie remaining with the business for a short period to help ease the transition to new ownership.
Rick Harrison, Managing Director at Interpath and joint administrator, commented: "Since its inception in 1999, Beauty Bay has grown to become one of the UK’s leading online beauty retailers, selling well-known cosmetics and cult brands to over five million customers.”
"We’re pleased to have concluded this transaction which will see the brand continue under new ownership, and wish everyone connected with the business all the best for the future.”
In Beauty Bay’s latest accounts, the company’s fixed assets were valued at £1.8 million and current assets at approximately £15.9 million, while total equity amounted to around £1.8 million.
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