Latest news with #Horgan
West Australian
a day ago
- Business
- West Australian
Beauty behemoth Mecca cracks $1b in sales as consumers splurge on makeup, skincare, fragrance
Australia's biggest cosmetics retailer Mecca has cracked the $1 billion revenue barrier as persistent cost-of-living pressures fail to dent consumer appetite for make-up, skincare and fragrances. New filings to the corporate regulator revealed the Jo Horgan-founded business raked in just over $1.2b in revenue in the year to the end of December 2023, up from the $971.5m recorded in the previous year. Net profit rose from $26.9m to $27.8m. Having first launched Mecca with a single shop in Melbourne's South Yarra in 1997, Ms Horgan and her husband and co-founder, Peter Wetenhall, have put Mecca in almost all major malls and store fronts in wealthy suburbs around Australia. Nationally, it has a footprint of more than 100 stores — including seven in Perth — and a presence online. It sells more than 200 brands across categories including make-up, skincare, fragrance and hair care. A Mecca spokeswoman declined to comment about the retailer's financial performance. Despite higher interest rates and inflation forcing households to cut back on other discretionary items, Australians' appetite for cosmetics and beauty products appears to be holding up. Experts have dubbed it the 'lipstick effect'. Reportedly coined by beauty giant Estee Lauder's former chair, who noticed an increase in the sale of lipstick during the US recession of the late 1990s, the lipstick effect reflects the idea that consumers will turn to small indulgences in times of economic downturn when they can't afford larger luxuries. Mecca in recent years has faced speculation over whether the co-founders would put the business up for sale. A company spokesperson has previously denied Ms Horgan was contemplating a sale. According to the latest accounts released this week, Ms Horgan and Mr Wetenhall — both listed as directors of Mecca — did not pay themselves any dividends. In 2022, the pair pocketed $12m. Mecca holds the biggest market share in make-up in Australia at about 21 per cent, which far outstrips that of Sephora, the cosmetics chain owned by French luxury goods giant LVMH. Sephora's Australian division reported a loss of $13.6m in 2023, while online beauty retailer Adore Beauty, another major industry player, reported revenue of $195.7m in the 2024 financial year. ASX-listed Adore Beauty has signalled its intention to open more than 25 stores nationally within the next three years. It has already opened two in Victoria. Mecca's 2023 accounts — which were late by about a year — come as the Australian Bureau of Statistics on Thursday revealed household spending posted a modest 0.1 per cent lift to $75.7b in April, continuing the run of softer consumer spending data so far in 2025. Contributing to the growth was a lift in spending in hotels, cafes and restaurants (up 2.2 per cent), health (up 1.7 per cent) and recreation and culture (up 1.1 per cent), likely fuelled by back-to-back Easter and Anzac public holidays in April.
Irish Independent
2 days ago
- Business
- Irish Independent
Not a single site in Cork has been made available in the three years of the Ready to Build scheme
Under the terms of the scheme, local authorities are to make serviced sites in towns and villages available to individuals to build their principal private residence on. The intention of the scheme is that local authorities would develop existing sites in their control or purchase them, add services and then sell them at a discount on the market value to potential house builders. The level of discount depends on the servicing cost incurred by the local authority and goes up to a maximum of €30,000. The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage then recoups the local authority for the money spent providing servicing on the sites. First-time buyers are prioritized under the scheme, followed by those with particular needs or people who want to move to live in a town or village. However, at a recent meeting of the Southern Division of Cork County Council, the Council's Housing Directorate, responding to a question by East Cork Councillor Eamonn Horgan (Social Democrats), said that no sites have been made available under the scheme in County Cork to date. In response, Councillor Horgan has branded the scheme a failure in the county. "It's a disappointing response — three years into the scheme and zero sites offered. It has clearly failed to date. I was hopeful and optimistic when this scheme was announced and now it's frustration and annoyance," he told the Irish Independent. "It's the human cost that's being overlooked in all these failed schemes proposed by the government. Homelessness. Mental health issues. Families having children later in life due to the uncertainty and cost of housing. Society is being upended. We need to get serious. We need to start thinking outside the box from a council level and national level in how we are going to get these schemes moving. We need to build more houses — before we lose yet another generation to delay and dysfunction," Councillor Horgan added. Cork County Council told the Irish Independent that a small number of sites are being considered for the scheme in North Cork, but they can't be sold at present due to servicing issues. The Council said it is seeking to acquire land for all of its housing programmes, including the Ready to Build Scheme.
The Irish Sun
4 days ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Ollie Horgan happy with Galway United's ‘good point' and clean sheet against Shamrock Rovers during ‘bad run'
OLLIE HORGAN knows good habits are as easy to keep as bad habits are to break. So the assistant boss hopes Galway United's first clean sheet in 11 can be the start of something positive once again. United drew It has been a rollercoaster season for the Tribe, who had a chance to go top of the table just last month. But Horgan insisted that maintaining their good form is about getting the right habits, having experienced all the ups and down while managing Finn Harps. He said: 'Winning can be a habit and losing can be a habit. I've been there. Read more in League of Ireland 'I remember going seven games and didn't win any. And then when the knives were out, we won the next three. 'And we stayed up comfortably, albeit in a different club. It's easier said than done. 'It's always a good changing room. But when you're on a bad run, it's very difficult to turn. Confidence is something that you can't really buy. But when it turns . . . 'The last place you felt that we'd get a clean sheet was away in Tallaght. But that's the way it's happened. But it's still only a point. Most read in Football 'But we've been here with moral victories over the years with different teams. At least it's a point. 'And I don't think anyone will begrudge us the point. It's not like it was daylight robbery. It certainly wasn't. Bruno Fernandes sent message by ex-Premier League star over Al-Hilal transfer 'But we had a bit of luck maybe last weekend more so. And we stumbled over the line against Cork. 'And the training on Sunday morning was bright and breezy. And you knew that we would take a cut off it.' Horgan is correct in his view that Galway deserved their point despite offering little in attack. The visitors defended well to limit their rivals to very few chances. Horgan added: 'I felt we were organised. We kept our discipline. We gave away very few free-kicks. 1 The Tribesmen have only recorded one win of their last six league games 'Often up there you tire as the game goes on. But we freshened it up. Now, we ran our luck a little bit. 'Had we any chance on the counter? Probably very little to be blunt. But at the same time, Shamrock Rovers weren't overly blessed with chances. 'I would like to see the possession stats, but sometimes it goes out the window when you're defending deep and playing on the counter. 'We defended crosses, we blocked shots. And we dealt with even their substitutions. Rory Gaffney came on and he's been a thorn in our side over the years. 'But we dealt with him as well. Look, it's a good point. It's only a point. But it's still a good point, obviously, away from home in Tallaght.' With the international break upon us, players have also been given a week off for rest and recovery. And Horgan believes that time off at this time of the season is important. He added: 'That's set in stone since the start of the season. The lads are going away with their families and partners. You can't stop them. 'I know there's a bit of talk as regards is it right or wrong? I think, that we are all thankful of the break, especially when you're on a bad run.'
RTÉ News
25-05-2025
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Cork hold off Waterford to set up Munster final rematch with Limerick
A hard-fought 2-25 to 1-22 victory over Waterford secured Cork's provincial final berth against Limerick and qualified Pat Ryan's side for the 2025 All-Ireland series. The Cork manager has repeatedly stated that getting out of Munster was his number one priority and it was mission accomplished in front of a 42,181 attendance. Before Waterford's visit, Cork had thrown away a 12-point lead to draw with Clare, laboured to victory over 14-man Tipperary and lost by 16 points to Limerick. Now, a second Munster SHC win has setup another showdown with Limerick back at the TUS Gaelic Grounds. Cork will relish an opportunity to atone for their previous visit. As for Waterford, despite a productive provincial campaign, Peter Queally's side will not see competitive action until 2026. That's the price the Déise and All-Ireland champions Clare have paid for failing to finish amongst Munster's top three. Level seven times during a high-octane opening half, it was Waterford who enjoyed the better start. Backed by a strong wind, the Déise led 0-5 to 0-1 after 10 minutes. Jack Prendergast, Billy Nolan (free), Seán Walsh, Patrick Fitzgerald and Mark Fitzgerald were on target with a Patrick Horgan free representing Cork's solitary response. Settling to their task, Mark Coleman, Alan Connolly and Horgan (free) moved the hosts within a point of their opponents. Michael Kiely and Séamus Harnedy exchanged scores before a Horgan free levelled matters, 0-06 apiece after 18 minutes. Both sides fed off the sometimes-frenzied atmosphere with the score tied 0-10 to 0-10 after half an hour. A cracking end to the half saw Jamie Barron and Harnedy score at either end before a long-range Kieran Bennett effort edged Waterford back in front. Cork changed ends 0-13 to 0-12 ahead however, thanks to an Alan Connolly brace. The Rebels restarted in the best possible fashion with a flowing move ending with Brian Hayes finding the net. A brilliant start to the second half for Cork as Darragh Fitzgibbon scores the game's first goal against Waterford 📺 Watch on @rte2 & @rteplayer 📻 Sunday Sport @rteradio1 Live blog 👇 — The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) May 25, 2025 Horgan added a free and Cork enjoyed a five-point lead. Sean Walsh and Patrick Fitzgerald reduced the deficit prior to Alan Connolly rasping a goal attempt inches wide from a narrow angle. A brace of Stephen Bennett frees made it a one-point game. Séamus Harnedy and Horgan (free) efforts pushed Cork 1-16 to 0-16 in front heading into the final quarter. Then Cork took control, with Patrick Horgan finishing off another flowing move by arrowing to the net. Brian Hayes and Shane Barrett added points to push the Rebels 2-18 to 0-16 ahead. Waterford weren't dead yet and Stephen Bennett turned and walloped into the net a minute before striking an upright with a subsequent attempt. Jack Prendergast's point left a goal in it with less than 10 minutes to go. Waterford aren't giving in as Stephen Bennett lashes in their first goal to slash Cork's lead 📺 Watch on @rte2 & @rteplayer 📻 Sunday Sport @rteradio1 Live blog 👇 — The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) May 25, 2025 Darragh Fitzgibbon floated over a beauty ahead of a late flurry of scores that saw Waterford move within a goal, 2-21 to 1-21, before Cork kicked for home. Late Diarmuid Healy, Darragh Fitzgibbon, Cormac O'Brien and Conor Lehane scores cemented Cork's victory and another shot at Limerick in two weeks' time. Cork: Patrick Collins; Seán O'Donoghue, Eoin Downey, Ger Millerick; Mark Coleman (0-1), Ciarán Joyce, Cormac O'Brien (0-1); Tim O'Mahony, Darragh Fitzgibbon (0-2, 0-1f); Brian Roche, Shane Barrett (0-3, captain), Séamus Harnedy (0-3); Patrick Horgan (1-8, 0-8f), Alan Connolly (0-3), Brian Hayes (1-1). Subs: Diarmuid Healy for B Roche (47), Luke Meade for T O'Mahony (60), Shane Kingston (0-1) for A Connolly (62), Damien Cahalane for G Millerick (63, temp), Conor Lehane for P Horgan (73), Tommy O'Connell for C O'Brien (75). Waterford: Billy Nolan (0-1, 0-1f); Ian Kenny, Conor Prunty, Iarlaith Daly; Kieran Bennett (0-1), Mark Fitzgerald (0-1), Tadgh de Burca; Paddy Leavey, Darragh Lyons; Jack Prendergast (0-2), Jamie Barron (0-1), Michael Kiely (0-2); Patrick Fitzgerald (0-3), Seàn Walsh (0-3), Stephen Bennett. Subs: Dessie Hutchinson (0-1) for P Leavey (41), Kevin Mahony for P Fitzgerald (51), Shane Bennett (1-7, 0-6f) for Lyons (52, injured), Austin Gleeson for Walsh (60).
Winnipeg Free Press
23-05-2025
- Business
- Winnipeg Free Press
New Royal Roads University campus named in honour of John Horgan
LANGFORD – The new campus of Royal Roads University is being named after the late John Horgan, honouring the former B.C. premier in the Vancouver Island community of Langford where he lived. Premier David Eby says in a news release that the new John Horgan Campus in downtown Langford is a fitting tribute to his predecessor, who 'knew education opened the doors to opportunity.' Horgan, who was also Canada's ambassador to Germany, died of cancer in November aged 65. His widow, Ellie Horgan, says the naming of the campus 'would have meant the world' to him. Dr. Philip Steenkamp, president and vice-chancellor of Royal Roads, says in the release that Horgan was a 'tireless champion' of expanded access to post-secondary education. Royal Roads also announced the creation of the John Horgan Entrance Award, to give financial assistance to new undergraduates at the Langford campus. 'As a firm believer in the power of higher education to change lives, John understood the doors it could open for the next generation of changemakers — those who will follow in his footsteps to tackle the great challenges of our time and build a better world,' said Steenkamp. 'I'm proud to support this award with a personal donation of $25,000 and look forward to seeing students thrive at RRU Langford on the John Horgan Campus.' Ellie Horgan said her late husband's 'love for Langford, for education and for young people all come together in this campus — a place that will spark new ideas, welcome diverse perspectives and open new opportunities.' 'He would be proud to see students, faculty and staff become part of Langford's vibrant community, and deeply honoured to have his name associated with such a meaningful place of learning.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 23, 2025.
