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The Beauty Care M&A market continued its pace to over 100 transactions in 2017 for the second straight year, with 27 transactions in Q3’17. While transaction volume was high, outpacing the last three quarters, the quarter was relatively quiet, primarily comprised of smaller strategic deals – until the last week of the quarter, with Unilever’s announced $2.71 billion acquisition of Carver Korea. We anticipate continued strong Beauty Care M&A volume in Q4’17, but it is too early to call whether the century deal mark will be attained for the year.
Q3’17 Beauty Care M&A highlights include:
- Deal volume increased 17% from Q2’17 but declined almost 4% from Q3’16.
- Unilever continued to be a force in Beauty Care M&A with the acquisition of Carver Korea, representing its third beauty and personal care acquisition of 2017.
- The Hut Group was the most active acquirer of the third quarter with three deals over 24 days.
- Private equity platforms continued to form with the acquisition of Freeman Beauty by Yellow Wood Partners, following its sale of the PDC Brands platform to CVC Capital Partners in Q2’17.
- Venture capital activity continues in the Beauty Care sector.