Core Viewpoint - L'Oréal Group and Kering Group announced a strategic partnership valued at €4 billion, where L'Oréal will acquire Kering's beauty business, including the Creed perfume brand and exclusive licenses for Gucci, Balenciaga, and Bottega Veneta for 50 years [1][3]. Group 1: Transaction Details - The transaction is expected to be completed in the first half of 2026, pending regulatory approval [2]. - L'Oréal will acquire Kering's beauty business, which includes the Creed brand that Kering purchased for €3.5 billion in 2023 [3]. - L'Oréal will receive exclusive licenses for Gucci, Balenciaga, and Bottega Veneta's beauty and fragrance products for 50 years, with Gucci's current license held by Coty Group set to transfer to L'Oréal in 2028 [3]. Group 2: Financial Context - Kering faces significant financial pressure, with net debt reaching €9.5 billion and long-term lease liabilities of €6 billion as of June 2025 [4]. - Gucci's operating profit fell by 52% year-on-year to €486 million, with revenue down 16% to €7.587 billion in the first half of 2025 [4]. Group 3: Strategic Implications - Kering's CEO, Luca de Meo, emphasized that this strategic alliance is crucial for accelerating the development of major brands in the fragrance and cosmetics sectors, similar to the success of YSL beauty under L'Oréal [4]. - The decision to sell the beauty business marks a significant shift from Kering's previous strategy of expanding its beauty division, which included the acquisition of Creed and the hiring of a former Estée Lauder executive [5]. - The beauty business is seen as a key area for luxury brands to attract a broader consumer base, especially in a slowing luxury goods market [5][6]. Group 4: L'Oréal's Position - This acquisition represents L'Oréal's largest transaction in its history, surpassing the $2.5 billion acquisition of Estée Lauder in 2023 [6]. - L'Oréal has been expanding in the fragrance sector, acquiring several brands, including the high-end Middle Eastern brand Amouage in 2025 [7]. - The partnership with Kering may set a new trend in the industry, focusing on equity cooperation and joint ventures to align interests while maintaining brand prestige [8].