Umberto Giannini gets seven-figure investment, targets international growth

By

Nigel TAYLOR

Published
Dec 1, 2022

UK haircare business Umberto Giannini is stepping up its international expansion, backed by a new seven-figure finance package from Lloyds Bank, targeting markets including Ireland, the Netherlands and Australia.

Meanwhile, the additional backing will be channelled into increasing its stock capabilities – boosted by growing demand for its core Curl Jelly line (which already claims a unit a minute is sold globally) – while ensuring a strong supply chain is maintained, The BusinessDesk reported.

Currently, the business continues to be a specialist in creating vegan, cruelty-free haircare products for online consumers and major retailers including Next, Boots and Waitrose. Last year, the firm said it increased product sales by 35% year-on-year.

The business was co-founded in 1998 by the late celebrity hairstylist Umberto Giannini and his partner Claire Shread.

Shread said: “We’ve already achieved so many of our environmental goals, but a personal ambition of mine is to see our packaging become both 100% recyclable and recycled, while remaining affordable and accessible to our diverse customer base.

“The support we’ve received from Lloyds Bank is two-fold in that we’re able to invest in how our products are made, and where they will go. Exploring new markets will allow us to bring our unique values to even more of the world’s waves, curls and coils.”