K Beauty Demand Could Lift These Retail Stocks in 2026 – Simply Wall St News
Introduction
K-beauty is evolving from a niche trend to a significant business, with U.S. sales reaching an estimated $2.8 billion in early 2026, a year-on-year growth of 48%, and projections suggesting it could reach $4 billion by the end of the year. This surge in demand has the potential to impact pricing, product offerings, and margins across beauty and personal care retailers worldwide. This article explores three retail stocks from our Beauty and Personal Care Retailers screener that are closely tied to this K-beauty wave.
Global-E Online (GLBE)
Overview
Global-E Online facilitates cross-border e-commerce for brands, managing complex aspects like local payment methods, currencies, duties, and shipping. Its platform enables international shoppers to purchase from their preferred language and currency while allowing merchants to reach a global audience.
Operations
- Revenue: Approximately $1.0 billion from internet information provider services, with substantial contributions from the United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union, Israel, and other markets.
Market Cap
$6.4 billion
Global-E Online benefits from its role in K-beauty’s cross-border sales as it powers e-commerce for cosmetics and skincare brands aiming to enter the U.S. market without developing their own international infrastructure. The company’s recent acquisition of Passport strengthens its logistics capabilities. Revised 2026 guidance and a $500 million buyback program indicate management’s confidence in its growth trajectory. However, investors should consider the following risks:
- High P/E ratio
- Dependence on key partnerships
- Recent insider selling
For those interested in global brands’ online expansion and K-beauty’s impact, Global-E Online offers a mix of growth opportunities and trade compliance expertise.
MINISO Group Holding (MNSO)
Overview
MINISO Group Holding operates a global chain of lifestyle and pop toy stores, selling design-led products such as home decor, small electronics, beauty tools, cosmetics, personal care items, snacks, fragrances, toys, and gifts under the MINISO and TOP TOY brands.
Operations
- Revenue: Primarily generated from the MINISO brand in Mainland China (CN¥15.1 billion), with significant contributions from overseas operations (CN¥9.0 billion) and the TOP TOY brand (CN¥2.7 billion).
Market Cap
$3.8 billion
MINISO is well-positioned to benefit from the K-beauty trend, offering affordable beauty and personal care products through its expanding global store network, including larger "super stores" in high-traffic locations. The company is focusing on categories like blind boxes, toys, fragrances, and skin-related products, where they report strong sales. They aim to improve efficiency and margins in the U.S. through local teams and tighter cost control.
Key Points:
- Lower P/E ratio compared to peers
- Approved buyback program
- Insider share purchases
- Past earnings dip
- Dividend track record and funding mix
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