Clifford Chance advised French cosmetics group L'Oréal S.A., Paris, on the acquisition of trademarks Decléor and Carita from Japanese manufacturer Shiseido Co., Ltd. The purchase price amounts to EUR 230 million. The transaction is subject to the approval from the antitrust authorities.

Decléor and Carita are two of the world's leading trademarks for professional skin and hair care in beauty parlours. In 2012, the turnover generated for both trademarks amounted to approx. EUR 100 million.

L'Oréal is the world's biggest cosmetics group who generated an annual turnover of approx. EUR 23 billion in 2013 and employs around 77,400 people.

Shiseido was founded in 1872 and is a player in the luxury cosmetics sector as well as the broader area of body and hair care, the group has more than 48,000 employees.

The Clifford Chance team included partner Dr. Christoph Holstein, senior associate Dr. Jan Gudlick (both Corporate), partner Thomas Hey and associate Anja Schöder (both Employment) as well as partner Marc Besen and senior associate Dr. Achim Gronemeyer (both Antitrust) – all Düsseldorf.