Mecca Brands (RTCH Pty Ltd)

Who owns Mecca Brands?
Mecca Brands is privately owned by founder Jo Horgan and her husband Peter Wetenhall through holding company RTCH Pty Ltd. The company is not publicly traded and has no announced plans for an IPO or sale.

What is Mecca's annual revenue?
Mecca reported revenue of AUD 1.43 billion for the financial year ending December 27, 2025, up from AUD 1.36 billion the prior year. Profit after tax was AUD 125.9 million.

Is Mecca Brands publicly traded?
No. Mecca Brands is a privately held company. Its parent entity, RTCH Pty Ltd, files financial results with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission but does not trade on any stock exchange.

Who founded Mecca Brands?
Mecca Brands was founded in 1997 by Jo Horgan in Melbourne, Australia. Horgan previously worked at L'Oreal before starting Mecca with the vision of creating a premium beauty retail experience in Australia.

How many stores does Mecca have?
Mecca operates over 110 stores across Australia and New Zealand as of 2025, including its 4,000-square-meter Bourke Street flagship in Melbourne. The company also completed seven relocations and five expansions in 2025.

What brands does Mecca carry?
Mecca carries over 200 international beauty brands including NARS, Charlotte Tilbury, Drunk Elephant, Olaplex, and Laura Mercier. In 2025, the company added more than 40 new brands including Victoria Beckham Beauty, Phlur, and Youth to the People. Mecca also offers private-label products under the Mecca brand.

Mecca Brands was founded in 1997 by Jo Horgan in Melbourne, Australia. Horgan, who previously worked at L'Oreal, recognized an opportunity to create a premium beauty retail experience in Australia inspired by beauty retailers in the United States and Europe. The company opened its first Mecca store in South Yarra, Melbourne, offering curated beauty products and personalized service.

The company grew through store expansion across Australia in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Mecca opened stores in major cities including Sydney, Brisbane, and Perth. The company expanded its product portfolio, adding more brands and product categories, and gained a reputation for curated selection and knowledgeable staff.

In 2007, Mecca launched Mecca Maxima, a retail format offering accessible beauty products at lower price points. Mecca Maxima complemented the premium Mecca stores and allowed the company to serve a broader customer segment. The company continued to expand both formats across Australia.

In the 2010s, Mecca expanded into New Zealand, opening stores in Auckland and other cities. The company invested in e-commerce and digital capabilities, launching its online store and mobile app. Mecca also focused on exclusive product launches and brand partnerships, securing distribution rights for international brands not otherwise available in Australia.

In January 2026, Mecca ended its 17-year retail partnership with Myer, confirming a phased exit from all seven of its remaining Myer concessions. The exit was described as a natural step as Mecca continues to invest in larger-format standalone stores where it can offer its full brand line-up and immersive services such as Beauty Labs. Closures were completed by mid-2026.

In 2025, Mecca opened its Bourke Street flagship in Melbourne, added four new stores, completed seven relocations and five expansions, and welcomed more than 40 new brands. The company now operates over 110 stores and employs more than 7,000 staff.

Mecca has not published independently verified sustainability disclosures through frameworks such as CDP or SBTi, and it is not a certified B Corporation. The company reports on sustainability initiatives through its website and annual communications, but the following information is drawn from company-reported claims.

Mecca cites responsible brand selection, packaging reduction, and supply chain transparency as priorities. The company has implemented a packaging take-back program in stores and has committed to reducing single-use plastics in its operations. Private-label products are developed with attention to ingredient sourcing and formulation standards.

The company's in-store services model, which emphasizes personalized consultations and beauty expertise, creates employment for thousands of beauty professionals. Mecca employs more than 7,000 staff and invests in training and development programs.

As a privately held company, Mecca faces less public scrutiny regarding environmental and social performance than listed peers. Financial transparency is limited to voluntary disclosures and regulatory filings with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission.

• Financial Review Business Person of the Year (2025): Jo Horgan named by the Australian Financial Review
• Melburnian of the Year (2025): Horgan recognized for the impact of the Bourke Street flagship on Melbourne
• Market Leadership: Mecca recognized as the dominant cosmetics retailer in Australia, having overtaken Sephora

Mecca operates in the competitive Australian retail market and faces scrutiny common to beauty retailers, including concerns about product pricing, ingredient safety, and marketing practices.

Sale rumors have periodically surfaced. In early 2025, reports speculated that Horgan was preparing Mecca for sale. Horgan publicly shut down these rumors, confirming the company's commitment to remaining privately held. The speculation highlighted the market's interest in Mecca's valuation given its revenue scale and market position.

The exit from Myer concessions in 2026 drew attention from retail analysts. While Mecca framed the departure as a natural evolution toward standalone stores, it also reflected competitive tension between the beauty retailer and department stores. Myer responded by announcing a renovation of its Sydney beauty hall, tripling the space dedicated to beauty.

As a private company, Mecca faces less financial transparency requirements than listed peers. Some analysts have noted that the lack of public disclosure makes it difficult to assess margins, comparable store sales growth, and other metrics that listed retailers routinely report.