European Commission to investigate Unilever acquisition of Sara Lee

Published: 2-Jun-2010
Body Care Finance

Competition concerns could halt Unilever/Sara Lee deal


The European Commission is to launch an investigation into the acquisition of the beauty and hygiene products sector of Sara Lee by Unilever on the grounds that the deal could pose problems for competition regulations. The sale of the body care arm of the US group for €1.2 bn was announced in September 2009.

The investigation has to be concluded by 5 October and follows a preliminary inquiry which reportedly showed that the operation, in the words of the Commission, "could give rise to problems of competition on markets, especially in the deodorant and skin cleansing products segments". The ranges concerned include Sanex and the Monsavon range. Unilever already had the Axe, Sunsilk and Dove brands.

  • Companies:
  • Unilever
See more

You may also like

Hair Care

Straand secures $4 million from investors, including Unilever Ventures

Read more
The microbiome scalp care brand will use the investment from Unilever Ventures and Harvey Norman Family Office to roll its products out globally via Sephora

Trending Articles

  1. L’Oréal USA promotes Silvia Galfo to President of Luxe Division Galfo, previously Chief Growth Officer of the beauty group’s US subsidiary, will replace Megan Grant
  2. LVMH’s revenue dips despite ‘remarkable growth’ from Sephora The giant’s Selective Retailing and Perfumes & Cosmetics divisions delivered strong sales despite the ‘uncertain’ economic climate
  3. L'Occitane fends off lawsuit over online privacy violations Law firm Zimmerman Reed and 3,144 customers claimed that the company's website tracking tools violated consumer privacy
  4. Give Back Beauty lands Mercedes-Benz fragrance licence deal The group will now create, produce and distribute Mercedes-Benz fragrances after acquiring the automotive brand’s licence owner INCC Parfums
  5. Nivea helps push Beiersdorf sales to €4.9 billion in H1 Sun protection was pinpointed as a strong performance segment for the German giant's Nivea, Eucerin and Aquaphor brands

Upcoming event

CCE Safety Assessment Module 3, Toxicology 2

23 April 2024 | Virtual See all

You may also like

Hair Care

Straand secures $4 million from investors, including Unilever Ventures

The microbiome scalp care brand will use the investment from Unilever Ventures and Harvey Norman Family Office to roll its products out globally via Sephora
Fragrance

Unilever Ventures backs fragrance for first time with The 7 Virtues investment

Unilever’s VC arm joined forces with True Beauty Ventures to complete the ‘clean’ fragrance brand’s first institutional financing round
Finance

Unilever announces Dollar Shave Club sale amid Q3 earnings drop

Recently appointed CEO, Hein Schumacher, is also pressing pause on acquisitions as he unveiled recovery plans
You need to be a subscriber to read this article.
Click here to find out more.
Body Care

Cosmetics Business Picks: 8 late September beauty launches

Cosmetics Business rounds up eight new beauty and skin care launches which have hit store shelves this week
Finance

Unilever aims to divest Impulse and other non-core beauty brands

The FMCG giant is reportedly resuming the sales process for its Elida Beauty business, which also includes Timotei and St. Ives
Sustainability

Colgate-Palmolive and P&G lag behind Unilever at cutting back emissions

A study by Planet Tracker found some FMCG companies’ emissions were seven times higher than the recommended level
You need to be a subscriber to read this article.
Click here to find out more.
Body Care

Updated: As England's Lionesses make it to the World Cup final, here’s why beauty brands are betting on women’s sports

From Urban Decay and Mielle backing basketball to Unilever’s sponsorship of the FIFA Women’s World Cup, beauty brands are piggybacking on the star power of women’s sports
Subscribe now