Arbonne International LLC in Irvine, California (USA) and a sister company, Nature’s Gate, will be bought by Groupe Rocher on undisclosed terms.
Arbonne is a direct seller of beauty, skincare, and nutritional products while Nature’s Gate is a personal care brand sold in retail stores. The holding company is Natural Products Group; ownership includes private equity firm Eos Partners LP in New York.
The deal expands the Paris-based buyer’s direct-selling—doubling its direct-selling consultants to about 475,000, news reports said—and its reach in English-speaking markets.
A trade journal said 80% of Rocher’s $2.5 billion in annual sales come from France and Europe, about 15% from the Middle East, South America and Asia, and 5% from North America.
“This acquisition will be a real asset that will enable us to strengthen our positioning in the direct selling channel, which has seen an upturn over the past few years.
We also have a heritage of providing employment opportunities —dating back to my grandfather, our founder, Yves Rocher, who cared deeply about providing employment since he started his business.
This, combined with our direct selling know-how, should foster company growth and longevity,”
said Bris Rocher, CEO of Groupe Rocher.
Kay Zanotti, CEO of Arbonne, added,
“We share with Groupe Rocher