Who Owns No7 Beauty Company?
No7 Beauty Company is owned by The Boots Group under Sycamore Partners, formed when the private equity firm completed its acquisition of Walgreens Boots Alliance on August 28, 2025. Founded in 1935 as Boots' own-label beauty line, No7 is the UK's largest skincare brand and is sold in the United States through Walgreens, Target, Ulta, and other retailers.
Parent Company
Founded
1935
Status
Private
Headquarters
Who Owns No7 Beauty Company?
- Parent Company: Walgreens Boots Alliance
- Ownership Type: Subsidiary
- Company Type: Privately Held
| Brand | Parent Company | Ownership Type |
|---|---|---|
| No7 Beauty Company | Walgreens Boots Alliance | Subsidiary |
Where to Buy
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No7 Beauty Company on AmazonHistory of No7 Beauty Company
- Founded: 1935
- Founders: Boots (as own-label brand)
Boots launched the No7 name in 1935, the brand name reflecting the seven products in the original line and a play on the phrase "number seven" associated with good fortune. For decades it was a Boots own-label brand sold only in its parent chain's British stores, gaining a reputation for reliable, sensibly priced skincare.
The modern No7 era began in the 2000s when Boots relaunched the brand with clinical positioning. The pivotal moment came in 2007, when a BBC Horizon documentary highlighted the Protect & Perfect serum's collagen-restoring peptide Matrixyl, triggering unprecedented demand that saw tubes resold online for multiples of the shelf price. Boots built on the science angle, developing proprietary peptide complexes and commissioning independent clinical trials unusual for a drugstore brand.
Under Walgreens Boots Alliance, No7 expanded aggressively into the US market from 2007 onward, gaining shelf space at Walgreens, Target, and later Ulta Beauty, plus Amazon. In 2021, WBA formed No7 Beauty Company as a dedicated global business unit housing No7 plus related labels like Liz Earle, Botanics, and Soap & Glory. The formation was widely read as preparation for a possible spin-off, though none occurred before the Sycamore deal.
Since August 2025, No7 Beauty Company operates within The Boots Group under private ownership. The brand launched Future Renew, a peptide-based line billed as its biggest innovation in years, and continues as the UK's top-selling skincare brand.
About Walgreens Boots Alliance
Is Walgreens Boots Alliance publicly traded?
No. WBA was delisted from Nasdaq on August 28, 2025, when Sycamore Partners completed its acquisition. The company is now privately held and its businesses operate as standalone companies.
Who acquired Walgreens Boots Alliance?
Sycamore Partners, a New York-based private equity firm, acquired WBA in partnership with the family of former executive chairman Stefano Pessina. The deal closed August 28, 2025, paying shareholders $11.45 per share plus contingent value rights, valued at roughly $10 billion for equity and $23.7 billion including debt.
Who is the CEO of Walgreens Boots Alliance?
Following the Sycamore split, the former WBA businesses have separate leadership. Mike Motz, formerly CEO of Staples US Retail, is CEO of Walgreen Co. Former WBA CEO Tim Wentworth (appointed October 2023) remains a director.
What is Walgreens Boots Alliance's revenue?
Walgreens Boots Alliance reported FY2024 revenue of $147.7 billion (fiscal year ended August 31, 2024). The company reported a net loss of $8.8 billion, primarily due to a $5.8 billion VillageMD impairment charge and other goodwill write-downs. Adjusted EBITDA was approximately $4.1 billion.
Why is Walgreens closing stores?
Walgreens announced plans to close approximately 1,200 underperforming U.S. stores as part of a turnaround strategy. The closures reflect declining retail pharmacy margins, competition from online retailers, and the need to optimize the company's physical footprint. The closures have raised concerns about pharmacy access in underserved communities.
What is VillageMD?
VillageMD is a primary care provider in which Walgreens Boots Alliance holds a majority stake. WBA invested $5.2 billion in VillageMD in 2021 with plans to open co-located clinics inside Walgreens stores. The investment has struggled financially, resulting in a $5.8 billion impairment charge in FY2024. WBA has announced plans to reduce its stake in VillageMD.
When was Walgreens Boots Alliance founded?
Walgreens Boots Alliance was formed on December 31, 2014, through the merger of Walgreens and Alliance Boots. Walgreens was founded in 1901 by Charles R. Walgreen Sr. in Chicago. Boots was founded in 1849 by John Boot in Nottingham, England.
- Founded: 2014
- Headquarters: Deerfield, Illinois, USA
- Company Type: Privately Held
- Revenue: $147.7 billion (FY2024)
- Employees: ~330,000
Where Is No7 Beauty Company Made / Based?
- Headquarters: Nottingham, England, United Kingdom
- Manufacturing / Operations: United Kingdom
No7 Beauty Company Categories & Tags
No7 Beauty Company Recalls & Controversies
No7's history is relatively free of major scandal. The brand has faced the same category-level scrutiny as the wider skincare industry over anti-aging claims, greenwashing in packaging, and animal testing questions (the brand states it does not test on animals but is sold in markets with varying rules). Advertising regulators in the UK have previously challenged some efficacy claims, as with most mass skincare brands.
Brands Owned by Walgreens Boots Alliance
Healthcare PharmaceuticalsBoots
Owned by Walgreens Boots Alliance
Boots is the UK's leading pharmacy-led health and beauty retailer, founded in 1849, now operating as The Boots Group under Sycamore Partners since August 2025.
pharmacyhealth-beautyuk-retail
Healthcare PharmaceuticalsDuane Reade
Owned by Walgreens Boots Alliance
Duane Reade is a New York City drugstore chain owned by Walgreen Co. under Sycamore Partners, operating approximately 90 stores across the five boroughs.
pharmacydrugstorenew-york
Healthcare PharmaceuticalsWalgreens
Owned by Walgreens Boots Alliance
Walgreens is the largest U.S. pharmacy retail brand, operating roughly 8,000 stores. It went private in August 2025 under Sycamore Partners as a standalone company.
pharmacydrugstoreretail-pharmacy
No7 Beauty Company Ownership: Pros & Cons
Advantages
- +UK's number one skincare brand with decades of consumer trust
- +Clinically backed positioning rare at its price point
- +Dedicated standalone unit structure supports global focus
- +Strong three-channel US distribution through Walgreens, Target, Ulta
- +Private ownership enables long-term brand investment
Considerations
- -Intense competition in accessible skincare from dermatology-backed rivals
- -Dependent on Boots for UK distribution dominance
- -Private equity ownership makes eventual sale likely
- -Beauty category requires constant innovation spending
- -International brand awareness still limited outside UK/US
Frequently Asked Questions About No7 Beauty Company
Sources & Further Reading
Competitors to No7 Beauty Company
These competing brands operate in the same categories and provide similar products or services. Compare key attributes to understand market positioning and competitive landscape.
| Brand | Parent Company | Country | Founded | Market Position | Primary Market | Gender Target |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elf Beauty | USA | 2022 | Premium | Global | Womens | |
| Lvmh | France | 1969 | Premium | Global | Female-focused | |
| Ulta Beauty Inc | USA | 1990 | Mass market | Global | Unisex | |
| Macys | USA | 1999 | Premium | United states | All Genders | |
| Estee Lauder | USA | 1968 | Premium | Global | Womens | |
| Unilever | United Kingdom | 1957 | Mass market | Global | Womens |
Learn More About Competitors
Beauty Personal CareRhode
Owned by e.l.f. Beauty, Inc.
Rhode is a premium skincare brand founded by Hailey Bieber in 2022, known for its minimalist philosophy, peptide-focused formulations, and viral Peptide Lip Treatment. Acquired by e.l.f. Beauty (NYSE: ELF) in August 2025 for up to $1 billion, Rhode generated $212 million in net sales in the 12 months prior to acquisition and is expanding rapidly through Sephora and Mecca retail partnerships.
skincarebeautycosmetics
Beauty Personal CareSephora
Owned by LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE
Global prestige beauty retailer owned by LVMH. Founded in 1969 in France, Sephora operates over 2,200 stores in 35 countries. Offers cosmetics, skincare, fragrance, and haircare from hundreds of brands in a self-service retail format.
cosmeticsbeautyretail
Beauty Personal CareUltra Beauty
Owned by Ulta Beauty, Inc.
American beauty and cosmetics retailer offering a wide selection of makeup, skincare, and beauty products.
cosmeticsbeautyretail
Beauty Personal CareBluemercury
Owned by Macy's, Inc.
Prestige beauty retail chain founded in 1999, owned by Macy's Inc. since 2015, operating approximately 172 stores specializing in luxury skincare and cosmetics.
beauty-retailskincarecosmetics
Beauty Personal CareClinique
Owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc.
American dermatologist-developed skincare and cosmetics brand known for its allergy-tested, fragrance-free products and 3-Step Skin Care System.
dermatologist-developedfragrance-freeallergy-tested
Beauty Personal CareDove
Owned by Unilever plc
Personal care brand owned by Unilever, known for beauty bars and skincare products. Over $5 billion in annual revenue.
skincarebeautysoap
Competitive Analysis
Market Positioning: No7 Beauty Company competes with 6 brands in the same categories, ranging from mass market to luxury positioning.
Geographic Distribution: Competitors are headquartered across multiple regions, indicating global competition in this market segment.
Brand Heritage: Competitor brands range from established heritage brands to newer market entrants, with founding years spanning several decades.
Independent Alternatives to No7 Beauty Company
Looking for brands with different ownership structures? These similar brands are not owned by Walgreens Boots Alliance, giving you alternative choices that support different corporate structures.
Beauty Personal CareUltra Beauty
Owned by Ulta Beauty, Inc.
American beauty and cosmetics retailer offering a wide selection of makeup, skincare, and beauty products.
cosmeticsbeautyretail
Publicly Traded
Ultra Beauty is owned by Ulta Beauty, Inc., a public company, a different structure than No7 Beauty Company's parent.
Beauty Personal CareDove
Owned by Unilever plc
Personal care brand owned by Unilever, known for beauty bars and skincare products. Over $5 billion in annual revenue.
skincarebeautysoap
Publicly Traded
Dove is owned by Unilever plc, a public company, a different structure than No7 Beauty Company's parent.
Beauty Personal CareL'Oréal Paris
Owned by L'Oréal S.A.
L'Oréal Group flagship mass-market beauty brand, sold in over 150 countries. Skincare, haircare, makeup, and hair colour products.
beautyskincarehaircare
Publicly Traded
L'Oréal Paris is owned by L'Oréal S.A., a public company, a different structure than No7 Beauty Company's parent.
Beauty Personal CareMaybelline
Owned by L'Oréal S.A.
Maybelline is the world's number one makeup brand, owned by L'Oreal S.A. (Euronext: OR) and sold in over 120 countries.
makeupcosmeticsbeauty
Publicly Traded
Maybelline is owned by L'Oréal S.A., a public company, a different structure than No7 Beauty Company's parent.
Beauty Personal CareNeutrogena
Owned by Kenvue
Dermatologist-recommended skincare brand owned by Kenvue, specializing in cleansers, acne treatments, sun protection, and anti-aging products.
skincaredermatologistacne
Publicly Traded
Neutrogena is owned by Kenvue, a public company, a different structure than No7 Beauty Company's parent.
Beauty Personal CareNoxzema
Owned by Unilever plc
American skincare brand founded in 1914 and known for its medicated deep cleansing cream. Owned by Elida Beauty, a Yellow Wood Partners portfolio company, since June 2024. Previously owned by Unilever (2010-2024), Alberto-Culver (2008-2010), and Procter & Gamble (1989-2008).
skincarecleansing-creambeauty
Publicly Traded
Noxzema is owned by Unilever plc, a public company, a different structure than No7 Beauty Company's parent.
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