Estée Lauder Acquires Remaining Forest Essentials Stake
Analysis based on 30 articles · First reported Mar 05, 2026 · Last updated Mar 05, 2026
The acquisition of The Estée Lauder Companies===Forest Essentials by The Estée Lauder Companies is expected to significantly boost The Estée Lauder Companies' presence in India, making it their largest emerging market. This move highlights the growing importance of the Indian prestige beauty market and could lead to increased competition and innovation in the sector.
The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. has announced an agreement to acquire the remaining interests in The Estée Lauder Companies===Forest Essentials, an Indian luxury Ayurveda beauty brand. This transaction, expected to close in the second half of 2026, follows The Estée Lauder Companies' initial minority investment in 2008 and an increase to 49% in 2020. The Estée Lauder Companies===Forest Essentials, founded in 2000 by Mira Kulkarni, will continue to be headquartered in New Delhi and maintain its integrated operational ecosystem in India. Mira Kulkarni and her son, Samrath Bedi, will continue to oversee the brand. This acquisition is a strategic move for The Estée Lauder Companies to strengthen its leadership in India, one of the most dynamic beauty markets, and to introduce The Estée Lauder Companies===Forest Essentials to a global audience while preserving its distinctive Ayurvedic DNA and Indian heritage.
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