L’Oréal NZ, one of New Zealand’s largest beauty distributors, has confirmed the restructure of its New Zealand business. The restructure will see the local division run solely out of Melbourne, where its Australian head office is located, from January 2023.

While L’Oréal NZ has been dual-run by New Zealand and Australia for the past few years, under the leadership of Rodrigo Pizarro (chief executive Australia and New Zealand), it continued to employ over 230 staff.

The French cosmetics giant maintains it will keep a strong footprint in New Zealand. In an interview with NZ Herald, spokeswoman Tanya Abbott assured they would “retain the vast majority” of its New Zealand employees. L’Oréal NZ is currently in the process of consulting with a small number of staff.

The headquarters will remain in Melbourne, with continued strong local presence in New Zealand via an Auckland office and distribution centre. Currently L’Oréal’s head office is based in Ellerslie with the distribution centre operating out of Otahuhu. From January 2023, the management of L’Oréal New Zealand will be the full responsibility of an Australian and New Zealand leadership team, based in Australia, according to Abbott.

L’Oréal is the distributor for 24 brands in New Zealand, including salon exclusive brands Kérastase, Redken, Matrix, and Pureology. Abbott said there would be no changes to L’Oreal’s supply and fulfilment in New Zealand.

In 2017, L’Oreal opened a premium inner-city Auckland training facility, The L’Oreal Academy, to provide upskilling and resources to hair salon and counter staff nationwide. No comment has been made on whether the restructure will affect the Academy.