Natura, the Brazilian cosmetics manufacturer, sent a statement to the market confirming the purchase of US competitor Avon Products. The business had been speculated a few weeks ago by the market. The operation creates, according to the statement of Natura, "the fourth largest exclusive beauty group in the world". An agreement will be made to exchange shares between the two companies: while Natura will control about 76% of the combined group, the rest will be held by Avon shareholders. Taking into account the values of the closing of the shares the day before, the group is valued at US$ 11 billion (about R$ 44.5 billion).
Now along with Avon, Natura must have annual revenues of over US$ 10 billion and more than 40,000 employees worldwide.
In recent years Natura has adopted an aggressive policy of expansion. In 2013, the Brazilian company bought Australia's Emeis Holdings, a manufacturer of premium beauty products, which operates under the Aesop brand. In June 2017, Natura announced the purchase of 100% of the Body Shop, which belonged to the French L'Oreal, in operation of about 1 billion euros.
