Boots buys Clearasil brand for £233

Chemist chain Boots has bought the acne treatment company Clearasil for £233 million from Procter & Gamble.

Chemist chain Boots has bought the acne treatment company Clearasil for £233 million from Procter & Gamble.

The company said that the move would act as an "important step towards global coverage." It is believed that the firm will use Clearasil as it attempts to gain a firmer foothold in the American and Japanese markets.

Barry Clare, managing director of BHI said: "The Clearasil acquisition is an excellent strategic fit, substantially increasing BHI's global scale and coverage.

"It enables us to leverage our skincare technology and also broaden distribution in Europe to drugstore and grocery channels. Beyond Europe we gain profitable entry into new markets."

Clearasil had global sales of $137 million in 1999/2000, is sold in more than 50 countries and is the market leader in eight, including the United States and Britain.