Frasers Group withdraws from Revolution Beauty acquisition proposal
Frasers Group, Mike Ashley's empire, just dropped a bombshell. They've axed plans to snap up struggling British cosmetics company, Revolution Beauty. The news aint good for Revolution, as their shares took a nose dive, plummeting by a staggering 21.7% to an all-time low of 6.02 pence[1][2][3].
Just last month, Frasers announced they were considering a cash-only bid for Revolution, who had put themselves up for sale back in May after enduring months of dismal sales[2]. Now, it seems Frasers has had a change of heart, and their sudden about-face has highlighted just how dire the situation is for Revolution[1][2][3].
Frasers' move seems to be part of a wider strategic shuffle. The conglomerate's shifting focus to other acquisitions, leaving the mass-market beauty sector behind. They've already got other companies lined up, and Revolution's dwindling relevance and a massive 26% drop in revenue during the fiscal year 2025 was probably too risky[1][5].
Revolution's saying they're still in talks with a host of potential buyers, but there's no guarantee any offer will come, or if it does, what the terms will be[4]. They kicked off the sale process back in May 2025 due to stagnating sales and reviews of their funding structure. Now, they're on the line, hanging by a thread—either restructuring or waiting for a fairytale "white knight" savior to swoop in and save the day. Otherwise, liquidation might be on the table[1][4].
In a nutshell, Revolution Beauty's still standing, but they're in a desperate pickle. They're shopping themselves around seeking other buyers, or any other lifesaver options—but they got one hell of a storm brewing[1][4].
Finance analysts are scrutinizing the decision by Frasers Group, as the move away from the acquisition of Revolution Beauty could signal a shift in their business strategy. The abrupt change of heart by Frasers highlights the dire financial straits that Revolution Beauty finds itself in.
