The Global Voices

Filmed ahead of our Future of Distribution panel in October 2025, we talked to a series of industry leaders to gain their candid perspectives from across four regions: Europe, the US, Asia and the UAE – offering practical insight into navigating today’s rapidly evolving global beauty landscape.
Whether you’re exploring new markets, developing regional distribution strategies, or building international retail partnerships, these short videos are designed to help guide your next move with video spotlights the realities, opportunities, and nuances of distribution across key markets:
Europe: Navigating heritage retailers, evolving consumer expectations & regulatory frameworks
United States: Breaking into the world’s most competitive retail landscape and the role of innovation & storytelling
Asia: Decoding market entry, localisation, and the rising influence of cross-border commerce
UAE & Middle East: Unlocking growth in one of the fastest-moving, prestige-driven beauty regions

The US Beauty Market – What It Really Takes to Scale
In this first release, we sit down with:
  • Allison Slater-Ray — Former VP of Marketing, Sephora
  • Lisa Motzko Hamilton — Former VP of Commercial, ULTA Beauty
Now Co-Founders of Breakthrough Beauty, Allison and Lisa share candid insight on:
✔️ What retailers actually look for when reviewing brands
✔️ The new rules of storytelling, loyalty and consumer expectation
✔️ Why omni-channel isn’t optional — it’s foundational
✔️ How launch timing, education, and investment discipline can make (or break) a brand’s US entry
Whether you’re already distributing in the US or planning entry, this conversation offers strategic clarity and grounded perspective from two leaders who’ve shaped some of beauty’s most significant growth stories.
UAE – Retail Precision & Prestige Growth
We sat down with Sarah Jordan – CEO & Founder, Sarah Jordan Associates –  who having gained nearly 30 years of experience in sales, brand development and distribution across MENA, Europe and APAC, brings a deeply practical perspective to navigating this region.
She explores:
✔️ Why prestige leads in the Middle East — and how that’s shifting
✔️ What distributors want — and how decisions get made
✔️ Speed, demand, education and the need for on-the-ground adaptability
✔️ The realities of brand localisation and investment planning
Europe – Legacy Markets, New Expectations
In this episode, we sit down with: Didier Picard – CEO & Founder, The Collection
 
With decades of experience leading international expansion and retail development across Europe, the Middle East and Africa – including leadership roles at Estée Lauder – Didier brings clarity to the complexities of succeeding in European markets.
He explores:
✔️ What differentiates European retail environments
✔️ Regulatory and operational realities brands must prepare for
✔️ The evolving role of heritage retailers and new distribution players
✔️ How to position and pace expansion across multiple European markets
Asia – Innovation, Localisation & Momentum
In this episode, she covers:
✔️ Cross-border commerce and digital-first retail
✔️ How localisation impacts everything from branding to formulation
✔️ Consumer behaviour trends shaping growth in APAC
✔️ The unique speed and agility required to succeed