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Resurfacing March deal: Estée Lauder to buy remaining 51% of Forest Essentials, close expected H2 2026
Estee Lauder agreed to buy the remaining 51 per cent of Forest Essentials, with closing expected in the second half of 2026. The deal value is undisclosed. The brand has nearly 200 freestanding stores in India and will remain led from New Delhi.
- Stake to be acquired51 per cent
- Estee Lauder stake since 202049 per cent
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Reported figures
From the report. Source details below
| Estee Lauder stake since 2020: | 49 per cent |
|---|---|
| Estee Lauder brands operating in India: | 14 of 20 |
| Estee Lauder minority investment year: | 2008 |
| Countries where Estee Lauder sells: | about 150 |
Why it matters for the brand
Estée Lauder spent 2008–2020 building a minority stake and six more years at 49% before buying out the rest of Forest Essentials, which shows a patient, stage-gated route to owning an Indian heritage brand.
What to track next
- Announcement of regulatory or shareholder approvals, or of any delay beyond H2 2026
- Disclosure of deal terms or valuation in a filing or at Estée Lauder's earnings
- Any change in Forest Essentials' New Delhi leadership team after close
- New store openings, or an announced overseas launch, for Forest Essentials
- Rival Indian premium or Ayurveda beauty brands announcing stake sales or new funding
Likely next moves
Our read of what comes next — analysis, not reported by the source.
- Estée Lauder is likely to leave Forest Essentials' New Delhi leadership and brand identity largely intact, presenting the deal as continuity rather than integration.
- Expect Estée Lauder to use full ownership to put more capital behind Forest Essentials' nearly 200 freestanding Indian stores, with a steady store build-out more likely than a sudden one.
- Estée Lauder may start testing Forest Essentials outside India after close, using its global distribution to position the brand as a premium Ayurveda name.
- Indian and global luxury-beauty rivals, including domestic natural and Ayurveda brands, may respond with their own premium-positioned launches, partnerships or minority-stake deals.
- Estée Lauder is likely to say little about terms, as the price is undisclosed, and to disclose financial effects only once the deal closes and the brand is consolidated.
The source
Published
First seen