Family-owned Australian business Oz Hair & Beauty is announcing their partnership with a myriad of prominent investors specialising in e-commerce, retail and haircare, further elevating its position in the market. The company has capitalised on online retail sales through the pandemic, and these business changes will only further its significant growth.
The partnerships will evolve the business to a sophisticated omni-channel retailer, with expert service teams delivering an enhanced customer experience that includes tailored advice and an expansion of brand, product and category offerings, with plans for natural experiential hair and beauty showrooms in the future.
Oz Hair & Beauty was founded ten years ago by brothers Anthony and Guy Nappa, emerging with a loyal customer base and a turnover of more than $40 million. Last year the businesses added more than 100 brands and doubled its customer base as consumers turned more to online retail through the pandemic.
“Attracting investors of this calibre is a great milestone for us but is really just the beginning. We see great opportunity in our market and the added experience, support and capital will really help us to pursue these opportunities,” Anthony said.
“What also really appealed to us about this partnership was the fact we have secured their support while enabling our family to retain control of the business as majority shareholders. Family values are in our DNA, represented by our personal relationships with our suppliers. We are about growing brands together for the long-term in the spirit of true partnership and collaboration.”
The investment group is led by Edison Growth Fund, which has experience across a range of sectors including premium spirits and specialist allied health care services. Co-investors BBRC, which works with Universal Stores, Lovisa, Dusk, Mr Vitamins and Bared Footwear, and Accent Group CEO Daniel Agostinelli, who supports brands including Vans, Glue Stores and Style Runner, are also on board. Also joining the team is industry expert Ward Gauvin, who will become Oz Hair & Beauty’s executive chairman.
“Anthony and Guy have built an exceptional business, grounded in family values and an authentic customer focus that comes from a deep understanding of the hair and beauty consumer, ingrained by their parents’ 30-year history in the hairdressing industry,” said Edison Growth Fund representatives Shaf Dewani and Michael Thompson. “The increase of online penetration in haircare is only just beginning, and consumers are seeking out retailers that offer detailed product knowledge, informed recommendations, access to new and innovative products and excellent customer service.”
“The quality of the investors assembled is testament to both what Anthony, Guy and their team have achieved to date, and the size of the future opportunity. The investor group brings together some of the best retailers in the country, enabling Oz Hair & Beauty to benefit from a deep capability and experience in managing brands, driving customer loyalty and building high-growth omni-channel retail businesses.”
The team are encouraged by recent growth, market trends and the new partnerships and roles that allow this trajectory to continue with a wealth of success.
“We have the capital and the capability to invest in making everything we do be best-in-class. This includes investments in technology and data, content and marketing, and building upon Anthony and Guy’s focus on customer centricity. I am particularly looking forward to working closely with current and new brand partners to grow the category together,” Ward said.
“We are passionate about our customers, our brand partners, and the haircare industry. The support we now have will enables us to deliver even more for our customer and brand partners. And it provides us with added resources to invest in growth,” Anthony added.
For more information visit www.ozhairandbeauty.com
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