Author: Deirdre Walters

Reformulation is one of the most constant and commercially loaded challenges in CPG R&D. Raw material costs shift, regulations evolve, packaging components are discontinued, and through all of it the expectation remains the same: consumers must continue to love the product and the business must continue to make money from it. Here are 10 things we have learned, working alongside R&D teams across beauty care, food and beverage, and consumer healthcare, about how to navigate that challenge without losing what matters most. 

Reformulation can feel frustratingly inefficient, with functional teams pulling in different directions, costly iterations, and uncertainty around what really matters to consumers. Untapped’s Ideal Product Model Blueprint addresses this by giving R&D a clear, evidence-based framework to focus on what must be protected, where costs can be reduced, and how to avoid later rework. By connecting consumer jobs to sensory attributes, product mechanisms, and validation methods, it enables faster, more confident reformulation that protects both margin and brand equity.

At the Beauty & Wellness Law Summit in London, legal experts revealed how regulation, claims, and consumer trust are reshaping innovation in beauty. For FMCG R&D leaders, the message was clear: the future of product development goes far beyond formulation.

As FMCG and healthcare giants streamline and refocus, retailers are investing in immersive, experience-led “retail theatre.” But without insight-driven R&D, even the most dazzling store concepts risk becoming generic. This frontline perspective explores how R&D can elevate product stories, shape compelling claims and demos, and partner cross-functionally to turn scientific innovation into shelf-ready, story-led growth that wins consumers and retailers alike.

Cover image credit: Manchester Arndale, Space NK

As pressure on R&D teams continues to rise, the biggest gains often come from how we work day to day. These eight atomic habits show how small shifts in behaviour can strengthen commercial relevance and real-world impact in 2026.

The British Beauty Council’s “Future of Beauty” event this week was one of the most intelligently curated industry gatherings we’ve seen in quite a long time. Every panel was deliberate, with a mix of business leaders, founders, scientists and creatives who together told a story of an economically valuable industry, evolving faster than ever. For R&D leaders in FMCG, who don’t often get the luxury of stepping outside the business, there were some powerful takeaways on how consumer relevance, science, and creativity can work better together.

In today’s innovation landscape, R&D teams are navigating a complex, high-stakes environment. The pressure is on to deliver products that are not only advanced and scalable, but also deeply resonant with real human needs. In this context, AI is emerging as a game changing innovation co-pilot, accelerating critical delivery milestones.

So how can R&D teams continue to amplify emerging AI capabilities in a way that is strategic and effective, leading to consistent future breakthroughs?

As FMCG R&D leaders seek to develop breakthrough innovations in an increasingly competitive and cost-conscious environment, the latest Holland & Barrett flagship store offers a compelling case study. More than just a retail refresh, this space represents a radical rethinking of how consumers discover, engage with, and trust wellness products. No longer can R&D focus solely on the in-use experience of a product; the moment of discovery is now just as critical. Here are ten strategic lessons designed specifically for R&D leaders who want to be more user-led while managing the realities of innovation speed and cost.

Image Credit – Holland & Barrett.

The WIRED Health Conference in London highlighted the future of healthcare, extending beyond medicine to consumer health and lifestyle. Innovations like microbiome-friendly habits and AI-driven longevity have major implications for FMCG brands, influencing skincare, nutrition, and home-care industries.