Report: L'Oreal in Talks to Buy Migros’ South Korean Cosmetic Unit

The logo of French cosmetics group L'Oreal is seen on a company building in Paris, France, February 7, 2024. (Reuters)
The logo of French cosmetics group L'Oreal is seen on a company building in Paris, France, February 7, 2024. (Reuters)
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Report: L'Oreal in Talks to Buy Migros’ South Korean Cosmetic Unit

The logo of French cosmetics group L'Oreal is seen on a company building in Paris, France, February 7, 2024. (Reuters)
The logo of French cosmetics group L'Oreal is seen on a company building in Paris, France, February 7, 2024. (Reuters)

French cosmetics giant L'Oreal is in final talks to acquire the South Korean skincare business Gowoonsesang Cosmetics owned by Mibelle Group, a unit of Swiss retailer Migros, according to two sources with knowledge of the deal.

An announcement could be made as soon as Monday, one of the people said.

A spokesperson for Migros said it did not comment on market rumors. L'Oreal did not respond to multiple requests for comment.

Mibelle acquired its stake in South Korean Gowoonsesang Cosmetics, which sells skin care products under the Dr.G brand, in 2018.

In February, Migros announced a strategic review for Mibelle Group, saying it wanted to find a new owner for the business.

Mibelle produces cosmetics for its own brands, including Dr.G, Imbue., Lee Stafford, and Mine, as well as for other brands, according to its website.

Dr.G is the No. 1 facial care line in the Korean dermocosmetics market, according to the Mibelle website.

Spanish investment bank Alantra was hired as adviser after the strategic review, to look for buyers for the business, one of the sources said.

A spokesperson for Alantra declined to comment.

Mibelle employs 1,615 people in five countries, with revenues of 661 million Swiss francs ($739.04)in 2023, according to its website.



Shein Reportedly Files for Hong Kong IPO to Save London Listing

FILE PHOTO: A view of a Shein pop-up store at a mall in Singapore April 4, 2024. REUTERS/Edgar Su/File Photo/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: A view of a Shein pop-up store at a mall in Singapore April 4, 2024. REUTERS/Edgar Su/File Photo/File Photo
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Shein Reportedly Files for Hong Kong IPO to Save London Listing

FILE PHOTO: A view of a Shein pop-up store at a mall in Singapore April 4, 2024. REUTERS/Edgar Su/File Photo/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: A view of a Shein pop-up store at a mall in Singapore April 4, 2024. REUTERS/Edgar Su/File Photo/File Photo

China-founded fast-fashion retailer Shein has filed for an IPO in Hong Kong to accelerate the listing process and pressure Britain's regulators to approve its planned London debut, the Financial Times reported on Tuesday.

The company privately filed a draft prospectus last week with Hong Kong's exchange and sought a regulatory nod from the China Securities Regulatory Commission, the report said, citing people familiar with the matter.

Reuters could not immediately verify the report. Shein did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

The company filed for a Hong Kong listing partly to pressure the UK regulator into easing its risk disclosure rules and to keep alive for what could be London's biggest IPO in years, the FT report added.

Reuters first reported in June that Shein was planning to file a draft prospectus confidentially for its Hong Kong listing, citing three sources with knowledge of the matter.

Reuters also reported in May, citing sources, that Shein was working towards a listing in Hong Kong after its proposed London IPO failed to secure the green light from Chinese regulators.

If UK's Financial Conduct Authority is willing to accept a CSRC-approved prospectus, London would still be Shein’s preferred exchange, the FT report said, adding that chances were still slim, given that the regulators’ requirements were still wide apart.