KKR to acquire Japanese beauty group Ci FLAVORS

Global investment firm KKR has agreed to acquire the Japanese beauty and lifestyle platform Ci FLAVORS from its existing shareholders. The transaction includes an exit by consumer-focused investment firm L Catterton, which had invested in the company in 2022. Other departing shareholders include founder Yusaku Horiuchi, Ebeauty Group, and Yanagi Capital Partners.

Ci FLAVORS, founded in 2011, manages a diverse portfolio of brands including &Honey, 8 The Thalasso, Unlabel, Theratis, and Moroccan Beauty. The group operates across various channels, including OEM manufacturing, direct-to-consumer, e-commerce, and department store retail. The company has established a significant presence in the Japanese haircare market and is expanding its reach across Asia and North America.

Following the acquisition, Ci FLAVORS CEO Yoshiaki Okura and founder Yusaku Horiuchi will reinvest alongside KKR to support the company’s ongoing growth. KKR intends to leverage its global consumer-sector network and operational expertise to accelerate the group’s international expansion, brand growth, and strategic M&A activities. The current management team will remain in place to lead daily operations.