This exclusive monthly interview series, in collaboration with Industry Beauty, features Mia Collins, CEW UK Executive Board Member and Buying Director of Beauty at Harrods. It offers a glimpse into her career and perspectives on what it means to be a business leader in today’s beauty industry.
Harrods has continued to strengthen its beauty offer over the years, spearheaded by Mia Collins, Buying Director for Beauty at the luxury department store. Collins first joined Harrods as Swim & Designer Plus Assistant Buyer in 2007, before entering beauty as Perfumery & Cosmetics Buyer in 2011 and working her way up to General Merchandising Managing in 2015 and Buying Director in 2023. In this exclusive interview with, Collins speaks about the biggest opportunities and challenges in the beauty sector today, the retailer’s buying and selling strategies for beauty, and how it positions both Harrods and brands for success.
Have you always had an interest in the beauty industry? Why does it appeal to you and why did you want to work within it?
I have certainly always had an interest in the beauty industry – it was the industry my mother belonged to when I was growing up – but I can’t say that it was the industry I imagined myself working in. My passion-point was fashion, but after about nine years working in fashion buying, I took an opportunity in beauty buying and have never looked back.
CEW UK promotes the British beauty industry, why is this important? What do you think sets the British beauty industry apart from other markets worldwide?
The UK beauty industry and the work CEW does to promote it is of great importance – not least due to the >£28 billion it’s projected to contribute to UK GDP in 2024, but also the over 600,000 workforce that it supports, all in the context of the rapidly evolving and highly competitive, open, global market. The UK must continue to push its position as a protagonist and change-maker in this vibrant and remarkable industry.
Why did you join CEW UK? Do you have any highlight moments from being part of this?
There are multiple highlights you enjoy as a member of CEW – The Achiever Awards event; Demonstration Evening and Two-Way Mentoring Scheme are all worthy headliners, but my personal highlights have been winning a Member’s Achiever Award and being invited to join the board.
What do you think are the biggest opportunities and challenges in the beauty sector today?
I think the objective that continues to underpin the beauty sector is: to do better. This challenge is levied both from within as well as outside the industry and includes everything from more efficient forms of packaging and more sustainable supply chains to more efficacious formulas and more diverse representation across all touchpoints. We all play a role in driving this forwards.
What key skills do you need to have as a leader today, in general and in beauty?
I think there are a number of perennially important core skills required by leaders and others that I think are more relevant today, than perhaps they were in the past. I think leaders need to be fluent in working alongside ambiguity and uncertainty; work with empathy and with unwavering respect for people and the planet.
How can people be encouraged to pursue entrepreneurship or senior leadership roles in their careers?
One of the most powerful tools that has aided my progression has been mentorships – whether these have been formal or informal, they’ve been universally fulfilling and productive. I would encourage anyone to broaden their network (and horizons) via such a union and certainly explore how CEW can help.
Can you tell me about your role as Buying Director for Beauty at Harrods?
Our business at Harrods and H beauty is exceptionally dynamic and diverse – so is my role. We are privileged to work with more than 300 brand partners, across seven (soon to be more) points of sale. Whilst our Harrods business is well established – founded 176 years ago, H beauty bowed just four years ago. Therefore, the needs of these two platforms are entirely different – as are those for Harrods.com. Managing our buying portfolio takes a village and the buying team at Harrods are second to none. They are rockstars that I am blessed and humbled to work alongside every day.
Can you tell me about your buying and selling strategies for beauty and how it positions Harrods and brands for success?
The strategy for beauty at Harrods and H beauty is underpinned by six values. Our values act as our north star for all decision-making and allow us to stay focused on evolving and growing positively and productively. Our values serve as really important tools in our quest to consistently deliver world class, inspiring and inclusive beauty interactions for all of our customers.
In today’s busy beauty market, how can brands catch your eye? Any advice?
My advice to any brand seeking to impress a retailer is: do your homework. A few minutes of desktop research quickly divulges a lot about a retailer…who their target consumer could be; what their core categories are; their vibe etc. Does this match with what you want for your brand? What benefit will this retailer bring to your business and your customers? Ultimately, the retailer is asking themselves these questions too, so it’s important to know how you’d answer them.
