Kao in negotiations to buy Molton Brown

Tina Milton

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The Japanese conglomerate is seeking to bolster its European beauty presence with the luxury UK brand

Japanese company Kao Corp  has confirmed it is in negotiations to acquire UK brand Molton Brown in a bid to expand its beauty portfolio.

The company is looking to grow its European presence and enter the body care market, and the acquisition would strengthen its grasp on the premium end of the sector. If successful, Kao will be able to use the Molton Brown range to complement its prestige Asian cosmetics line Kao Sofina.

Molton Brown has a travel spa at British Airways' club class lounge at London Heathrow terminal four, where it opened its first branded area in 2002. Its recently opened travel spa at the Terraces Lounge in New York JFK airport features four treatment rooms offering complimentary treatments.

A statement from Kao said the company would release further details "in due course".