L'Oréal Acquires South Korean Cosmetics Firm Nanda

PARIS, France — France's L'Oréal on Wednesday said it had agreed to buy South Korean makeup and fashion firm Nanda, as foreign cosmetic industry leaders jostle for a slice of one of the world's most innovative beauty markets.

L'Oréal did not disclose how much it was paying for the company, detailing only that Nanda, known for its fashion business Stylenanda and 3CE cosmetics brand, had a turnover of €127 million (£111.67 million) in 2017.

The acquisition could be worth around 400 billion won (£273.05 million), Korean media previously reported when L'Oréal was picked as the preferred bidder.

L'Oréal declined to comment on the report.

The French group, owner of brands such as Lancôme and Maybelline, said in a statement it planned to further roll out sales of 3CE internationally. The makeup brand generates nearly three quarters of Nanda's revenue, the companies said, while Nanda primarily operates in Asia.

Foreign investors including LVMH, Estée Lauder and Unilever are also among those betting on continued demand for Korean beauty products in Asian markets such as China, backed by the popularity of Korean pop culture.

Chinese consumers, and young shoppers in particular, are driving booming sales of makeup and skincare products globally.

Korean beauty products, meanwhile — from face masks that incorporate innovative and natural ingredients such as snail slime, to high-end creams — are gaining traction outside Asia, and domestic companies like Amorepacific are looking to expand in Europe.

L'Oréal said Nanda — its first Korean beauty brand — was "perfectly positioned to nourish the growing appetite for makeup of millennials in Korea, China and beyond."

The acquisition is expected to be completed within two months, L'Oréal said.

By Sarah White; editor: Elaine Hardcastle.