Boots adds quirky Soap & Glory brand to its' portfolio
The woman behind the brand, entrepreneur Marcia Kilgore is also the creator of Bliss, a spa brand LVMH acquired in 2004 for a reported $25m.
Soap & Glory burst onto the scene eight years ago, and is best known for its tongue in cheek, 20's style packaging and products like super-plumping lip gloss 'Sexy Mother Pucker' and 'Righteous Butter body butter'.
Boots has been stocking the beauty range since 2006, helping to build brand distribution.
The brand has a strong customer base and a loyal following on social media with almost 1 million Facebook fans and 54K Twitter followers.
On announcing the acquisition, both companies commented in a joint statement; “In 2011, Alliance Boots became a minority shareholder in Soap & Glory, and the proceeds from that transaction were used to further accelerate the growth of the brand. Alliance Boots has effected the full acquisition of the company through the exercise of a pre-existing call right; the consideration has not been disclosed."
While Soap & Glory will operate as a stand-alone brand within Boots' portfolio, Kilgore will no longer be associated with the company.
“Following the acquisition Soap & Glory will operate as a stand-alone brand within Alliance Boots new Global Brands division led by Ken Murphy. Alliance Boots intends to maintain the company’s strong identity as an indie brand with an entrepreneurial culture,” reps say in the statement.
