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.
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.
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.
Professional hair care firm Regis has acquired salon chains
PureBeauty and BeautyFirst in an effort to turn its fortunes around
and bring back sales growth.
Helen of Troy has reported an unexpected drop in turnover as sales
of personal care products slumped in a highly competitive and
challenging sales environment.
Procter and Gamble (P&G) is consulting its lawyers again after
having filed a lawsuit against Blue Cross Laboratories accusing the
company of distributing look-alike Herbal Essences products.
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.
Atrium is planning to sell its active ingredients and
specialty chemicals division in order to focus its energies on the
nutritional supplements sector.
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.
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.
Skin care specialist Hydroderm has sued Desperate Housewives star
Teri Hatcher for $2.8 million for alleged breach of contract,
according to press reports.
Fine chemicals firm Allylix is to get more than $3m worth of
investment by a team of companies including Tate & Lyle
Ventures to produce cost effective plant extracts called terpenes
The US branch of Inter Parfums has announced a contract
manufacturing agreement to make personal care products for Brooks
Brothers, building on other similar contracts with leading
retailers the Gap and Banana Republic.
Elizabeth Arden seeks further success through music after entering
into a global licensing agreement with Iconix to develop, market
and distribute fragrances and cosmetics under rapper Jay-Z's
Rocawear brand.
Demand is growing for natural cosmetics in China, driven by a
traditional preference for natural ingredients and the fear of
toxic chemicals in consumer goods.
First quarter sales made significant progress at Elizabeth Arden,
which the company said was largely attributable to the successful
international launch of its new Mariah Carey fragrance.
L'Oreal overcame the stagnant US market and met high sales
expectations for the third quarter with the help of several product
releases including the launch of Diesel's first fragrance.
Despite Estee Lauder reporting a healthy increase for its first
quarter sales, profits have been hit by lower operating income as a
result of increased marketing expenses and falling US sales.
Business development company Allied Capital has pledged $51m
towards the buyout of hotels personal care and amenities supplier
Gilchrist & Soames by private equity group Swander Pace
Capital.
The head of Procter & Gamble (P&G) told investors yesterday
that the company is pursuing a high growth strategy by focusing on
fast growing and high margin divisions such as beauty.
Global direct sales player Mary Kay is making a $20m investment in
the Indian market for cosmetics and personal care products in an
attempt to tap into fast-growing sales in this rapidly evolving
market.
Two cosmetics manufacturers based in southern Florida have merged
to create a company focused on manufacturing private label hair and
skin care products while tapping into manufacturing synergies.
Ireland-based Alltracel has revealed that it is preparing to
acquire the oral care specialist Synpart in a bid to lead the
European private label market for oral care products.
Masstige skin care provider Physicians Formula says that soft
market conditions within the segment have led it to lower its
forecast for the forthcoming quarter and full year, prompting fears
for other big name prestige player.
As part of plans to further expand its global fragrance brands
portfolio Inter Parfums has announced the acquisition of the Lanvin
fragrance brand, a move that connects it to one of the oldest
European fashion houses.
Dallas-based Kimberly-Clark has reported a significant increase in
its second quarter sales, marked by particularly strong personal
care growth in Europe and the emerging markets.
New Jersey-based pharmaceutical and personal care provider Johnson
& Johnson says that one of the main driving forces behind its
industry-leading sales growth has been sales of skin care products.
Consumer goods player Energizer has extended its position in the
personal care market with the acquisition of Playtex Products,
building on its presence in the sector with the Schick-Wilkinson
Sword brand.
Canadian global aluminum provider and packaging leader Alcan has
received a bid from Anglo-Australian miner company Rio Tinted in a
move that is likely to lead to the seperation of its mining
and other businesses, which also focus...
The US division of the world's largest cosmetics company has
acquired Maly's West, the third largest beauty salon distributor in
the US, as consolidation in the professional hair care market
continues apace.
Although an improved financial performance has helped raise the
profile of Parlux Frangraces, a new warning letter about the late
filing of its financial results suggests the company is still
fighting to set its house in order.
Estée Lauder has agreed to acquire Ojon Corporation, a privately
held prestige hair care company based in Canada, in a bid to extend
its reach in the naturals premium hair care category as well as
increasing its distribution capabilities...
San Francisco-based private equity firm JH Partners has increased
its investment in the cosmetics sector with the acquisition of its
first hair care brand, Ouidad, adding to the recent acquisition of
the Kate Somerville skincare brand.
Global oral and personal care player Colgate-Palmolive has
announced that Ian Cook has taken over from Reuben Mark as CEO of
the company as part of a long-term succession plan that will allow
the out-going Mark to retire.
Fragrance player Parlux has announced a significant increase in its
sales for the 2007 financial year, but a net loss from its
continuing operations marks a difficult year in which rapid
expansion has seen its administration capabilities...
Still building trying to rebuild itself after boardroom struggles
and administration problems caused by its rapid expansion, Parlux
Fragrances has hired new public relations agencies to help restart
corporate growth.
Procter & Gamble has confirmed that it plans to close its
Clairol headquarters in Stamford, Connecticut, by 2010 as the
company seeks to enhance efficiencies in its Hair Color division.
The US division of global cosmetics player L'Oreal has bought the
professional hair care brand PureOlogy, in a move that gives it an
even greater footing in the market for prestige color hair care
treatments.
Texas-based personal care player Helen Of Troy has acquired Belson
Products, the professional salon division of Applica Consumer
Products, in a move that increases its footprint in this
segment.