Hut Group purchases skincare brand ESPA from KSL

UK-based health and beauty retailer The Hut Group (THG) has purchased spa and skincare brand ESPA from affiliates of KSL Capital Partners.

The deal is valued at approximately £100m, reported Sky News.

This latest move follows THG’s acquisition of Germany-based beauty box subscription services provider Glossybox and Australia-based beauty and haircare company RY, last month.

Founded in 1993, ESPA sells its products and treatments in more than 700 spas across 50 countries on its website and select retail stores such as John Lewis, Liberty London, and Harvey Nichols.

With optimal, natural ingredients, plant actives, marine actives, and essential oils, ESPA’s products and treatments are developed and manufactured at its facility in the UK.

The acquisition is expected to aid ESPA in enhancing its reach, while expanding THG’s health and beauty portfolio. THG intends to invest further to support the brand’s capabilities, including manufacturing.

The Hut Group founder and CEO Matthew Moulding said: “ESPA is an exciting addition to The Hut Group’s growing portfolio of beauty brands. Synonymous with luxury, its products are sold in the most prestigious spas and retailers around the globe.

“Our investment in acquiring the ESPA brand further supports our ambition of becoming the world’s largest online retailer of Health & Beauty products by the end of the year.”

In addition to its own luxury beauty brands such as Mio Skincare, Mama Mio, and Grow Gorgeous, THG sells products from other brands, including MAC, Bobbi Brown, Nars, and Lancôme through Lookfantastic.com.