logo
L'Oreal Buys British Skincare Brand Medik8

L'Oreal Buys British Skincare Brand Medik8

L'Oreal is to acquire British skincare brand Medik8, its owner, Britain-based private equity firm Inflexion, said on Monday, boosting the French cosmetics giant's offering in the fast-growing dermatological skincare market.
The size of the deal was not disclosed. Medik8 focuses on vitamin A-based anti-aging creams and serums.
"The partnership with L'Oreal will allow Medik8 to deepen its presence in existing markets and expand globally. As part of the transaction, Inflexion will retain a minority shareholding in Medik8," the private equity firm said in a statement.
L'Oreal's dermatological beauty division, which includes major brands like CeraVe, La Roche-Posay, and SkinCeuticals, has been its fastest growing in recent years, reaching revenues of 7 billion euros ($7.99 billion) last year, after growing almost 10% on the year before.
The business, which also has the highest profit margin among its four divisions, has boomed on growing consumer interest in science-backed products, though growth has slowed recently due to rising competition.
L'Oreal executives said this year they were pursuing acquisitions and looking to revive flagging growth. The company acquired Korean skincare brand, Dr.G, in December and also bought a minority stake in Oman-based perfume house Amourage last year.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

UK to boost ‘homegrown talent' in new AI skills drive
UK to boost ‘homegrown talent' in new AI skills drive

Arab News

time19 hours ago

  • Arab News

UK to boost ‘homegrown talent' in new AI skills drive

LONDON: UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Monday pledged to boost 'homegrown talent for the AI age' by teaming up with tech giants to train 7.5 million workers in artificial intelligence skills. Speaking at the start of London's Tech Week, with a line-up of speakers including Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, Starmer said: 'In this global race, we can be an AI maker and not an AI taker.' Starmer was due to have a one-on-one conversation with the chief of the star Silicon Valley semiconductor firm whose chips are critical for artificial intelligence applications and research. Ahead of the event bringing together industry giants, Starmer announced a government-industry partnership to train 7.5 million workers in AI skills, including in using chatbots and large language models to boost productivity. Tech firms including Nvidia, Google, Microsoft and Amazon committed to make training materials freely available to businesses over the next five years. Google EMEA region President Debbie Weinstein called it a 'crucial initiative' essential for developing AI skills, unlocking AI-powered growth 'and cementing the UK's position as an AI leader.' In his opening speech, Starmer said Britain must build 'the digital infrastructure that we need to make sure AI improves our public services.' The UK has a 'responsibility' to 'harness this unprecedented opportunity and to use it to improve the lives of working people,' Starmer added. 'We are going to build more homes, more labs, more data centers, and we're going to do it much, much more quickly.' His government has pledged to fire up the UK's flagging economy, including with 'pro-growth' AI regulations to attract tech investment and turn Britain into an 'AI superpower.' 'We are putting the power of AI into the hands of the next generation — so they can shape the future, not be shaped by it,' Starmer said in a press release before the event. The British leader unveiled £187 million ($253 million) in funding to help develop tech abilities including training for one million secondary school students, as part of its 'TechFirst' program. He called it a 'step change in how we train homegrown talent for the AI age.' The investment will 'embed AI right through our education system,' he said, announcing nearly £150 million in undergraduate and PhD research scholarships in AI and tech. Starmer also announced a 'commitment from Nvidia to partner on a new AI talent pipeline,' including through expanding a Nvidia lab in Bristol, southwest England. The UK's AI sector is valued at £72 billion, employing over 64,000 people, and is projected to exceed £800 billion by 2035. It was growing 30 times faster than the rest of the economy, according to government figures from 2023 — an 'incredible' rate, according to Starmer. Other speakers at the tech conference include the CEO of Mistral AI, Arthur Mensch, the UK's Science Secretary Peter Kyle and Markus Villig, founder of ride-hailing app Bolt.

Qualcomm Strengthens AI Portfolio with $2.4 Billion Alphawave Deal
Qualcomm Strengthens AI Portfolio with $2.4 Billion Alphawave Deal

Asharq Al-Awsat

timea day ago

  • Asharq Al-Awsat

Qualcomm Strengthens AI Portfolio with $2.4 Billion Alphawave Deal

US chipmaker Qualcomm on Monday agreed to acquire British semiconductor company Alphawave for about $2.4 billion as part of efforts to strengthen its artificial intelligence technology. Alphawave shareholders will receive 183 pence per share, a nearly 96% premium to the price immediately before Qualcomm disclosed its interest in the company. The shares jumped 22% in early London trade to just below the offer price. US-based firms have been snapping up British assets, taking advantage of a market that is plagued by comparatively weaker valuations and stunted growth. Alphawave, which designs and licenses semiconductor technology for data centers, networking and storage, had garnered takeover interest from Qualcomm and SoftBank-owned chip tech provider Arm in early April for its "serdes" technology. The technology underpins the speed at which data is processed by chips - crucial for AI development - and serves as the foundation for Broadcom's and Marvell Technology's multibillion-dollar bespoke chip businesses. Arm walked away after initial discussions with Alphawave, Reuters exclusively reported in April citing sources. Qualcomm also tabled two alternative all-share offers to Alphawave's shareholders, after receiving multiple extensions from the UK's takeover panel to table a firm offer. The British company said it considers the terms of the cash offer to be fair and reasonable and intends to unanimously recommend it to its shareholders. Alphawave also completed the disposal of its stake in WiseWave, its joint venture with Chinese investment firm Wise Road Capital, to existing state shareholders on Monday.

NATO Chief Urges 400% Increase in Alliance's Air Defense
NATO Chief Urges 400% Increase in Alliance's Air Defense

Asharq Al-Awsat

timea day ago

  • Asharq Al-Awsat

NATO Chief Urges 400% Increase in Alliance's Air Defense

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on Monday was due to urge a "400-percent increase" in the transatlantic alliance's air and missile defense capacities in response to the threat from Russia. "We see in Ukraine how Russia delivers terror from above, so we will strengthen the shield that protects our skies," Rutte was due to say in a speech to the Chatham House think-tank in London, according to comments quoted in a statement. To maintain credible deterrence and defense, he was to say that NATO needs "a 400-percent increase in air and missile defense". His comments come ahead of a NATO summit in the Netherlands this month where US President Donald Trump is pressuring alliance members to announce a major boost in their military budgets. Trump is pushing NATO members to increase their defense spending to five percent of their gross domestic product (GDP), up from the current target of two percent. US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said last week in Brussels that the allies were close to an agreement on the five-percent target, which could be formalized at the summit in The Hague. NATO members have been scrambling to bolster their defense capabilities since Russia launched its war against Ukraine in February 2022. "Danger will not disappear even when the war in Ukraine ends," Rutte was to say, according to AFP. "We need a quantum leap in our collective defense... We must have more forces and capabilities to implement our defense plans in full." "Our militaries also need thousands more armored vehicles and tanks, millions more artillery shells." Rutte will visit London next week, where he is expected to welcome Britain's new defense strategy. Britain announced plans last week to build up to 12 nuclear-powered attack submarines and six munitions factories to rearm the country in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store