British consumer goods retailer and manufacturer Marks &
Spencer has entered into a joint venture with COMS to expand its
presence in key Central and Eastern European markets.
Procter & Gamble has acquired hair care brand Frederic Fekkai
in an effort to ensure continued sales and profit growth despite
the faltering US economy.
Despite breaking the €1bn sales mark in 2007, profits at Clarins
Group suffered during the year due to increased spending on
promotional and advertising campaigns.
France-based luxury fashion house Hermès Group has reported a
7.3 per cent rise in net income for 2007 thanks to an expanded
store network and positive sales figures.
Finland-based company the Lumene Group has announced plans to
concentrate on its beauty and hair care segments and make its
cleaning products subsidiary Farmos independent.
The world's largest cosmetics company, L'Oreal, has acquired a 50
per cent controlling stake in the beauty business Le Club des
Createurs de Beaute, currently owned by 3 Suisses International.
PPR Group has reported strong results for 2007 despite negative
effects of the weakening of the yen and the dollar that negatively
impacted the luxury goods division.
Henkel has reported a positive sales increase for its cosmetics and
toiletries sector although sales in North America have suffered
across all divisions.
As part of its ambitions to grow its brand footprint on a global
basis, Germany-based Beiersdorf says it wants to up its
investment for marketing and advertising in the US market.
The prices of cosmetic ingredients are rising sharply and as oil
prices hit a record high at $101.32 a barrel on Wednesday the
upward trend looks set to continue.
UK-based cosmetics company Lush has signed a deal with an
Australian company for the supply of Indian sandalwood for a new
product range based on the oil.
L'Oreal has proposed to raise salaries in line with inflation
for its workforce in response to strikes held on Monday but
unions say the measures are not enough.
Oriflame's sales force increased twenty per cent during the fourth
quarter leading to strong sales results, although profit was
affected by significant restructuring costs.
Having announced strong financial results from its international
brands for the second half of 2007, France-based Ales has announced
the appointment of a new director general, charged with further
increasing its global presence.
French workers at L'Oréal staged a strike yesterday calling for an
increase in wages following the publication of the company's
impressive financial results last week.
Givaudan achieved savings by integrating Quest International ahead
of plan, increasing its product portfolio and allowing it to
refocus on higher value-adding ingredients.
Indian chemical company Vivimed Laboratories acquires UK-based
James Robinson in order to increase its global presence in the
speciality chemicals market.
Maesa (previously Parfum d'image) has announced plans to create a
Shanghai subsidiary to expand the company's business in China after
successful first quarter results.
Despite Clarins announcing solid quarterly results last week
there is still speculation over who might try and bid for one
of the last remaining major independent companies in the business.
Jason Natural owner Hain Celestial has reported a 20 percent
increase in sales for the second quarter indicating that strong
growth potential remains in the natural and organic market.
Despite the tough retail conditions in the US Estee Lauder has
recorded particularly strong sales and net profits for its second
quarter thanks to solid international sales boosted by a weak
dollar.
Luxury cosmetics group Clarins has exceeded its full year sales
expectations reporting turnover in excess of €1bn for the first
time despite losing business in the US.
Salon hair care provider Regis says it has completed the merger of
its continental European franchise salon operations with the Franck
Provost Salon Group.
France-based personal care contract manufacturer Parfum d'image has
changed its name to MAESA, reflecting its more global scope
following a recent business acquisition in the US.
Imperial Leather manufacturer PZ Cussons has acquired Sanctuary Spa
Holdings for £75m (€101m) in an effort to develop its presence in
the premium personal care market in the UK.
French cosmetics giant L'Oreal has made a €1.15bn offer to buy YSL
Beauté from PPR's Gucci Group in an attempt to strengthen its
presence in the luxury market.
Prestige perfume manufacturer Inter Parfums plans to fend off
macroeconomic pressures by expanding its cosmetic and skin care
ranges and increasing its brand portfolio.
L'Oreal's US division has acquired the salon specialist Columbia
Beauty Supply in an effort to further exploit opportunities in the
professional hair care market.
The merger and acquisition highlights for 2007 include
consolidation in the natural and organics market, further
acquisitions by the biggest players and rumors concerning the
future ownership of Clarins and Estee Lauder.
After announcing a major expansion into the US market, contract
manufacturer Parfum D'Image has reported high double-digit annual
sales and net profit growth.
The world's largest consumer and personal care company, Procter
& Gamble, has filed a lawsuit against cosmetic maker Fruit of
the Earth based on a number of infringements for patents filed
to protect Olay Regenerist.
As part of a major reorganisation of its business BASF has created
a care chemicals division to better serve its customers in the
cosmetics and personal care sectors.
L'Oreal received special praise in an ING financial report that
predicts significant energy price rises in the coming years and
expects large companies to be the best placed to absorb the cost
inflation.
French luxury products and retail group PPR is the latest company
to be linked to a buy-out of one of the last remaining independent
major cosmetics companies, Clarins.
L'Oreal is expanding its presence in the fast growing Turkish
cosmetics market with the acquisition of Canan, one of the
country's leading hair care companies.
