THE WHAT?  Aurelius Group, the personal fairness investor that owns Footasylum, is at present in unique negotiations to amass The Physique Store, an moral cosmetics chain based virtually 50 years in the past by Dame Anita Roddick and her husband Gordon. The British-based chain was put up on the market by its Brazilian proprietor, Natura &Co, throughout the summer time. A deal is anticipated to be finalised in November, valuing The Physique Store at a considerably lower cost than the £400m to £500m urged by some media reviews.

THE DETAILS  Aurelius Group acquired Footasylum simply over a 12 months in the past, following a mandated sale by competitors regulators from JD Sports activities Style. The group additionally owns the Lloyds Pharmacy group, which it’s at present promoting off piecemeal. Aurelius has surpassed rival bidders for The Physique Store, together with Alteri Traders, personal fairness agency Epiris, and Elliott Advisors, proprietor of Waterstones. The Physique Store employs about 10,000 folks and operates roughly 3,000 shops in 70 international locations. Natura &Co acquired The Physique Store for over US$1bn in 2017, which means the sale to Aurelius will probably worth it at lower than half of that sum. Natura &Co has been working with Morgan Stanley on the sale and goals to conclude the deal earlier than the 12 months’s finish.

THE WHY? The Physique Store has struggled to attain worthwhile development for years however retains a major presence on British excessive streets. Its early stance on environmental causes and opposition to animal testing helped it stand out out there. Nevertheless, the model’s distinctiveness has diminished in recent times because of the emergence of opponents specializing in sustainability and concentrating on youthful customers extra successfully. Aurelius’ acquisition of The Physique Store would add to its numerous portfolio of corporations, whereas Natura & Co’s resolution to promote aligns with its intention to conclude the deal swiftly and sure streamline its operations.