Department store retailer Debenhams has invested £7.5m ($10m) in Blow, a UK-based on-demand beauty services platform backed by consumer goods manufacturer Unilever.
Blow operates an app that enables users to order beauty services on demand, arranging for a professional to visit their home, office or hotel. Alternatively, users can attend one of the company’s beauty bars, and Blow will use the cash to set up new beauty bars in Debenhams stores.
Unilever led Blow’s $4.5m series A round in April 2017 through its Unilever Ventures subsidiary. The unit had also provided half of the £1m Blow raised in its June 2016 seed round, which included the proceeds from a crowdfunding campaign.
Blow’s chairman and co-founder Dharmash Mistry said: “Our partnership with Debenhams will turbo charge growth and awareness of Blow by accessing the vibrant and loyal customer base of a UK market leader.
“This move accelerates our ambition to bring expert beauty services to customers in key regional cities across the UK, either in their homes or in Debenhams stores. We are excited to join forces with Debenhams to reinvent the fragmented, multi-billion-pound beauty services market.”
– Photo courtesy of Blow Ltd.