L’Oréal announced that it has signed an agreement with Natura & Co to acquire Aēsop, the Australian luxury beauty brand. The proposed transaction values Aēsop at an enterprise value of US$2.525 billion.
Created in 1987, Aēsop is globally renowned for its skin, hair and body products. With its signature amber packaging, plant-based ingredients, sustainable vegan formulations, and its bespoke customer service, Aēsop has evolved into a global super brand available across luxury retail, beauty, and hospitality locations around the world. Aēsop currently operates around 400 points of sale across the Americas, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and Asia, with a nascent footprint in China where the first store opened in 2022. The brand posted sales of US$537 million in 2022. “I am very excited to welcome Aēsop and its teams to the L’Oréal Groupe family," says Nicolas Hieronimus, chief executive officer, L’Oréal Groupe. "Aēsop is the epitome of avant-garde beauty, whose products are not only made with great care and exceptional attention to detail; they are a superb combination of urbanity, hedonism and undeniable luxury. Aēsop taps into all of today’s ascending currents and L’Oréal will contribute to unleash its massive growth potential, notably in China and Travel retail.”
The closing is subject to certain regulatory approvals and other customary conditions.