EL vs PUK Comparison

Estée Lauder is a leader in the global prestige beauty market, participating across skin care (49% of fiscal 2025 sales), makeup (29%), fragrance (17%), and hair care and others (5%). Top-selling brands include Estée Lauder, Clinique, M.A.C, La Mer, Jo Malone London, Aveda, Bobbi Brown, and Origins. The firm operates in more than 150 countries, generating 31% of revenue from the Americas, 37% from Europe, the Middle East and Africa (including travel retail), and 32% from Asia-Pacific. Estée Lauder sells its products through department stores, travel retail, specialty multibrand beauty stores, brand-dedicated freestanding stores, e-commerce, salons/spas, and perfumeries.

Originally established in 1848 as the Prudential Mutual Assurance, Investment, and Loan Association, Prudential has changed a lot since then. Set up to sell life insurance and loans to the middle class, the company subsequently diversified into Europe and then North America with the purchase of Jackson National Life around 1985. During its time as owner of Jackson, Prudential focused on building a simple chassis-style product portfolio that allowed customers to choose from a variety of add-ons. The company also became renowned for its focus on building the internal capabilities required to support its strong product offerings, including compelling technology and a large, well-trained wholesale salesforce.