[1/2] The logo of French cosmetics group L'Oreal in the western Paris suburb of Levallois-Perret, France, February 7, 2020.
REUTERS/Gonzalo FuentesSAO PAULO, April 3 (Reuters) - French cosmetics group L'Oreal (OREP.PA) struck a deal with Brazil's Natura & Co (NTCO3.SA) to buy Aesop, its Australian luxury brand, at an enterprise value of $2.53 billion, both firms said on Monday.
The deal, L'Oreal's largest ever brand acquisition according to Dealogic data, expands the firm's presence in the luxury cosmetics market, while also providing the Brazilian company with some financial relief amid shrinking margins and heavy debt.
The acquisition is also the third largest on record of an Australian company in the consumer products sector, the data showed.
"Aesop taps into all of today's ascending currents and L'Oreal will contribute to unleash its massive growth potential, notably in China and travel retail," L'Oreal CEO Nicolas Hieronimus said in a statement.