Core Views - The article discusses the contrasting strategies of two major beauty groups, L'Oréal and Unilever, highlighting L'Oréal's aggressive acquisition approach and Unilever's focus on divesting non-core assets [2][8]. Group 1: L'Oréal's Acquisition Strategy - L'Oréal announced the acquisition of an additional 10% stake in Galderma, increasing its ownership from 10% to 20%, with plans to explore further scientific research collaborations [1][6]. - The acquisition is part of L'Oréal's ambition to penetrate the rapidly growing medical aesthetics market, alongside its investments in high-end and clean beauty segments [6][8]. - In October, L'Oréal made a significant investment of €4 billion to acquire beauty licenses from Kering Group, indicating a strong recovery in its performance, particularly in the North Asia region [6][7]. Group 2: Unilever's Divestment Strategy - Unilever is undergoing a restructuring process, focusing on core businesses by divesting over 20 non-core beauty and personal care brands, including the planned spin-off of its ice cream business [1][7]. - The CEO of Unilever emphasized that the spin-off aims to create a more streamlined company focused on higher profit margins in beauty and personal care sectors [7][8]. - Unilever's recent quarterly results showed improvement in sales growth after excluding the ice cream business, indicating a positive trend in its core operations [7][8]. Group 3: Industry Trends and Brand Matrix - The contrasting strategies of L'Oréal and Unilever reflect a broader industry trend where companies are either expanding their brand portfolios or optimizing them by shedding non-core assets [8][9]. - The ideal brand matrix should exhibit strategic synergy, growth gradient, and profit orientation, allowing companies to withstand market fluctuations [10]. - Other beauty brands, including Estée Lauder, are also reviewing their brand portfolios, indicating a shift towards optimizing brand performance and profitability [9].

Core Viewpoint - Unilever is set to acquire the American men's personal care brand Dr. Squatch, marking its third acquisition in 2025, following the purchases of Minimalist and Wild [1][2][3] Group 1: Acquisition Details - The acquisition agreement with Summit Partners is expected to be completed later this year, pending regulatory approvals [1][3] - Dr. Squatch's CEO expressed excitement about the opportunity to scale the brand internationally [3][5] Group 2: Brand Background - Dr. Squatch was founded in 2013, initially focusing on natural soap products made from coconut oil and sea salt [5][7] - The brand has expanded its product line to include shampoos, conditioners, beard oils, and shaving creams, utilizing a direct-to-consumer sales model [7][8] Group 3: Financial Performance - Dr. Squatch's sales reached over $100 million in 2020, $150 million in 2023, and have now exceeded $400 million [8] - The brand was previously valued at over $2 billion, with an EBITDA of approximately $90 million, indicating a strong market position [9][8] Group 4: Market Trends - The acquisition reflects a broader trend of established companies acquiring direct-to-consumer brands in the men's personal care sector [10][13] - Unilever's strategy includes optimizing its brand portfolio and focusing on high-growth segments, as evidenced by recent investments and acquisitions [14][20] Group 5: Competitive Landscape - The acquisition signals a potential shift in the competitive landscape of the men's personal care market, with traditional companies regaining market share from independent brands [13][21] - Other major players in the industry, such as L'Oréal and Estée Lauder, are also actively pursuing acquisitions to enhance their market positions [20]