L'Occitane Acquires Melvita

L'Occitane has acquired M&A Santé Beauté, a natural French cosmetic company created 25 years ago. As part of the acquisition, it will gain control of the Melvita brand. L'Occitane reportedly will benefit from the strength of M&A Santé Beauté's Melvita and the established reputation of its private label business Ardecosm.

Currently 90% of M&A Santé Beauté's sales are made in France but the acquisition will help the company pursue growth internationally. M&A Santé Beauté expects to continue to expand and has set its sales forecast at €24 million. M&A will gain L'Occitane's access to a network of 1,000 stores in 60 countries.

Both companies share the desire to produce authentic and natural beauty products. Similarly, in 2006, L'Oréal acquired Sanoflore, a natural French cosmetics brand, allowing it to expand its international distribution. M&A is looking to exercise a similar strategy, now that it has been bought by L'Occitane.