Reliance Retail brings Europe’s top beauty sensation ‘essence’ to India

THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

MUMBAI, NOVEMBER 17, 2025

Reliance Retail Limited (RRL), India’s largest retailer, has entered into an exclusive distribution partnership with cosnova Beauty, the Germany-based global cosmetics leader, to introduce ‘essence’, Europe’s No. 1 cosmetics brand by units sold, to the Indian market. The collaboration reinforces RRL’s rapidly expanding beauty portfolio and marks a major step in bringing essence’s vibrant collection of high-quality, affordable, and cruelty-free makeup products to consumers across the country.

The launch will be powered by Reliance Retail’s integrated omnichannel ecosystem, ensuring that essence’s extensive product range is accessible nationwide through online platforms, dedicated beauty stores, and partner retail formats. As the exclusive distributor, RRL will significantly enhance the brand’s presence across India’s premier beauty destinations, making global beauty trends readily available to Indian consumers.

Founded in Germany in 2002, essence has earned worldwide acclaim for its “Make Beauty Fun” philosophy, rooted in the belief that beauty should be accessible to everyone. With a presence in nearly 90 countries, the brand encourages consumers to explore and express their individuality. More than 80 per cent of its products are manufactured in Europe, combining cutting-edge innovation with the highest quality standards while maintaining price points that appeal to a broad audience.

A hallmark of essence is its dynamic and trend-driven approach — updating nearly half of its product portfolio twice a year and launching regular trend editions inspired by the latest beauty and lifestyle movements. Its unwavering commitment to 100 per cent cruelty-free formulations, vegan ingredients, microplastic-free products, and sustainable packaging makes it a compelling choice for today’s environmentally conscious and ethically minded consumers.

With its entry into India, essence aims to ignite a fresh wave of creative self-expression through playful beauty experimentation, encouraging consumers to mix, match, and discover makeup that brings joy to daily life. The launch underscores Reliance Retail’s dedication to curating world-class beauty experiences for Indian shoppers, uniting fun, inclusivity, and sustainability under one exciting global brand.