Browse Case Studies by
Case Studies in
- Corporate Governance
- Corporate Social Responsibility
- Economics
- Entrepreneurship
- Finance, Accounting & Control
- Leadership
- Marketing
- Organisational Behaviour / HRM
- Social Entrepreneurship
- Strategy
- All Case Studies »
Concept wise Case Studies
- Mergers, Acquisitions and Alliances - Vol. I
- Mergers, Acquisitions and Alliances - Vol. II
- Mergers, Acquisitions and Alliances - Vol. III
- Mergers, Acquisitions and Alliances - Vol. IV
- Airline Industry
- » All Concept wise Cases
Industry wise Case Studies
- Banking and Financing Services
- Retailing
- Energy and Utilities
- Oil and Gas Refining, Marketing and Distribution
- Commercial Aircraft Manufacturing
- » All Industry wise Cases
Region wise Case Studies
Mergers, Acquisitions, Alliances and Synergies Case Study
Case Title:
L’Oreal in 2006: The Body Shop Acquisition
Publication Year : 2006
Authors: Mridu Verma
Industry: Consumer Goods
Region: UK
Case Code: MAA0078P
Teaching Note: Not Available
Structured Assignment: Not Available
Abstract:
In 2005, the $18.89 billion L'Oreal group is the largest and the most successful cosmetics company in the world, with over 19 international brands. Whether it sells Italian elegance, New York chic or French beauty through its brands, L'Oreal has reached out to a wide range of customers across different income groups and cultures. Over the years L’Oreal has acquired many brands and successfully integrated them in its brand architecture, sometimes retaining their brand origins and at other times giving them a ‘makeover’. The case discusses L’Oreal’s brand architecture, its retail strategy, promotion strategy, corporate structure and competition. The Body Shop is known for selling natural products and supporting environmental and human-rights causes.
In March 2006, L’Oreal has acquired The Body Shop International a U.K. based retail cosmetic brand revered for its ethical values for $ 1.1 billion. The development has surprised many as on the surface there seemed to be little in common between L'Oreal, which cultivates an image of French chic, and The Body Shop known for selling natural products and supporting environmental and human-rights causes. Moreover, L'Oreal is a manufacturer of beauty products and not a retailer. The case discusses the strategic fit, the benefits and the ramifications of the acquisition and the future possibilities of the association between the two companies.
Pedagogical Objectives:
- The case discusses L’Oreal’s brand architecture, its retail strategy, promotion strategy, corporate structure and competition
- The case discusses the strategic fit, the benefits and the ramifications of the acquisition and the future possibilities of the association between the two companies.
Keywords : Mergers,Acquisitions,Alliances Case Study;L'oreal; The body shop; Lindsay Owen Jones; Anita Roddick; brand architecture; brand positioning; reposition strategy; retail strategy; strateguc brand fit; promotion strategy; corporate structure; social branding; international cosmetic industry; franchising; acquisition; environment and human rights cause