The Hut Group (“THG”, or the “Group”), one of the world’s largest online Health & Beauty retailers and brand owners, announces the acquisition of ESPA, a world-renowned leader in spas and skincare excellence, from affiliates of KSL Capital Partners, LLC (“KSL”).

Established in 1993, ESPA is the choice of the world’s leading spas and skincare experts. ESPA products and treatments are sold in over 700 spas across 50 countries in the finest hotels including ESPA Life at The Corinthia London, top destinations of Ritz Carlton, Peninsula, One&Only and the ESPA Life at Gleneagles.

Each spa offers a unique reflection of its environment, ultimately providing a collection of bespoke, opulent destination spas that offer wellbeing experiences for skin, body and mind. Last year, ESPA- trained beauty therapists performed over 5 million treatments globally.

ESPA products are also sold in luxury retail outlets such as John Lewis, Liberty London and Harvey Nichols, and direct to consumers on espaskincare.com.

Working with the best skincare experts, using only the highest quality, purest natural ingredients at their optimal levels, ESPA create unique Tri-Active™ blends of plant actives, marine actives and essential oils to develop the most effective, natural products and treatments. All new product development and manufacturing is done at ESPA’s own facility in the UK.

The investment represents another strategic move for THG as it continues to expand its Beauty offering and international reach. THG is already Europe’s largest retailer of premium beauty including MAC, Bobbi Brown, Nars and Lancôme products through Lookfantastic.com, and also owns a host of luxury Beauty brands including Mio Skincare, Mama Mio, Grow Gorgeous and GLOSSYBOX, and now ESPA. In addition to its presence across the Beauty industry, THG also owns numerous brands across the Health sector, including the world’s largest online Health brand, Myprotein.

Matthew Moulding, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of The Hut Group, said: “ESPA is an exciting addition to The Hut Group’s growing portfolio of beauty brands. Synonymous with luxury, its products are sold in the most prestigious spas and retailers around the globe. We intend to substantially invest further in the ESPA brand, especially in manufacturing capabilities, and to develop the brand into a true  global leader in its area.  Our investment in acquiring the ESPA brand further supports our ambition of becoming the world’s largest online retailer of Health & Beauty products by the end of the year.”

Susan Harmsworth, Founder of ESPA, said: “I am delighted about this acquisition which paves the way to an exciting next chapter in our journey. I am truly confident that The Hut Group has the passion and expertise to extend ESPA’s holistic philosophy which has been at the heart of our products, spas and treatments for twenty-five years. With spas in over 50 countries, this partnership enables us to reach even more customers all over the world.”

The Hut Group was advised by CMS (Katie Nagyedenagybaczon), KPMG (John Moth) and Deloitte (David OLeary). KSL was advised by Baylor Klein (Tim Leach), Simpson Thacher & Bartlett (Derek Baird) and Deloitte (Gurm Dhillon).

For more information, please contact:

Viki Tahmasebi
viki.tahmasebi@thehutgroup.com
Group Head of PR, The Hut Group
[07966 028340]

Julie Messing-Paea
julie.messing@mac.com
KSL Media Contact
+1 310-691-9979


Notes to editors About The Hut Group

The Hut Group (THG) is a nimble giant with a start-up culture, led by founder Matthew Moulding. Built on a foundation of proprietary industry-leading technology, a world-class team and a scientific approach to building global brands. THG is fast becoming the world’s most influential online retail organisation.

In the year to 31 December 2016, THG grew Group Sales by 50% (to £501m), with International Sales growing by 89% (to £316m). EBITDA grew 67% to £50m. Over half of THG’s sales now come from own brand products.

Part of the Northern Powerhouse near Manchester, it operates over 140 highly profitable websites retailing premium, non- perishable FMCG products direct to consumers across the fast growing, global Health & Beauty markets.

Pioneering Technology Platform‍

THG is a major British technology success story. Its in-house team design, develop and build bespoke proprietary technology that is used by hundreds of millions of people worldwide across 190 + countries.

Its unique platform helps the Group dispatch 37 million items to customers across the world, taking THG to the top of the Sunday Times profit track for a second consecutive year.

The platform was recognised as E-tailer of the Year by Retail Week for “Becoming Europe’s fastest growing E-tailer, through leveraging proprietary technology, data and a disruptive model to deliver own brand products direct to global consumers.

Talent‍

The Hut Group is the #1 place for ambitious young talent that want to run a business or build industry leading technology.

About ESPA‍

With over 25 years’ experience building award-winning spas around the world and with a pioneering collection of natural spa products and treatments, ESPA is the chosen brand of the world’s leading spa and skincare experts, with over 700 spas in over 60 countries. Working with expert formulators, biochemists and aromatherapists, they combine the wisdom from traditional holistic therapies with the scientific power of the purest natural ingredients. This combination blends plant and marine actives with essential oils to create unique Tri-Active™ formulations delivering innovative products and treatments for the very best results. ESPA are guided by a holistic philosophy, to help you look and feel your best, for you to have naturally beautiful skin and a renewed sense of inner calm.