The future of Beauty Bay has been secured via a sale of the business and its assets via a pre-pack transaction to an international investment group.
Manchester-based Beauty Bay has grown to become one of the UK’s leading online beauty retailers, selling over 200 beauty brands via its online platform, including well-known make-up, skincare and K-Beauty brands, in addition to its own-brand product range.
With parts of the UK retail sector continuing to face challenges including cost inflation, policy uncertainty and subdued consumer confidence, the Beauty Bay business had recently come under sustained pressure. In response to this, the directors of the business undertook a review of their investment options. However, when a solvent solution could not be found, they took the difficult decision to place the Company into administration.
As such, Rick Harrison and James Clark from Interpath were appointed joint administrators to Beauty Bay Limited on 6 March 2026. Immediately following their appointment, they concluded a sale of the business to the French-owned AA Investments Group. AA Investments specialises in operating companies in the luxury, e-commerce and beauty sectors.
The transaction sees 62 employees transfer to the purchaser. Joint founder, Arron Gabbie, will remain with the business for a short period to facilitate a transition to the new owners.
Commenting on the transaction, Arron and David Gabbie, founders of Beauty Bay, said: “We would like to say a huge thank you to our brilliant team who have helped to make Beauty Bay everything that it is today. Their commitment and support over the last 27 years have been unwavering, no more so than over these past few weeks.”
Rick Harrison, managing director at Interpath and joint administrator, said: “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.”
The joint administrators were advised by Kuit Steinart Levy LLP (legals) and Gordon Brothers (agents).
