L’Occitane Faces Delisting from Stock Exchange as Private Equity Firm Blackstone Swoops in

L’Occitane, a globally recognized cosmetics brand founded in the late 1970s, is facing potential delisting from the stock exchange with the help of private equity firm Blackstone. Reinold Geiger, who has led the company as Chairman of the Board of Directors since its founding and continues to do so today, has expressed interest in taking full ownership of the company.

Speculation about a potential takeover by Geiger’s company has resurfaced recently, leading to a trading halt for L’Occitane shares in Hong Kong. While no official offer has been made yet, there are rumors that Geiger may be willing to pay a premium of up to 20% for the remaining shares.

L’Occitane has come a long way since its humble beginnings as a natural cosmetics manufacturer. Today, it generates over 2.1 billion euros in sales and has a presence in 90 countries with 8,500 employees. Its current valuation stands at around $5.6 billion.

Investors are eagerly awaiting Geiger’s next move and are considering their options as they look for a favorable outcome. Some shareholders have demanded a higher offer if the company is indeed delisted from the stock exchange. The potential deal with Blackstone has sparked interest and speculation among investors who are closely watching how the story unfolds for this iconic cosmetics brand.

Despite the uncertainty surrounding its future, L’Occitane’s journey from a small natural cosmetics manufacturer to a global powerhouse under Geiger’s leadership is nothing short of remarkable. As discussions and negotiations continue, stakeholders will be watching closely to see how this story unfolds for one of France’s most successful companies.