J&J TO BOOST SKIN CARE OFFERINGS WITH PURCHASE OF RoC

J&J TO BOOST SKIN CARE OFFERINGS WITH PURCHASE OF RoC hypoallergenic skin care product business from luxury goods conglomerate Moet Hennesy Louis Vuitton (LVMH). Johnson & Johnson has agreed to acquire the RoC S.A. subsidiary for an undisclosed sum, LVMH reported Nov. 18. An established French brand with the majority of its business currently in Europe, RoC registered sales of approximately $ 122.6 mil. worldwide in 1992. Completion of the transaction is subject to approval by the French government. The RoC brand comprises about 136 SKUs and consists of sun care, moisturizing and cleansing products and a limited number of color cosmetics. The products are sold predominantly in pharmacies in more than 50 countries worldwide. In the spring of 1992, the business set up a majority-owned joint venture in Japan and early in 1993, formed a distribution agreement in the U.S. with Dermik Labs ("The Tan Sheet" March 22, 1993, p. 11). RoC S.A. was founded in 1957. The addition of the RoC line would significantly increase J&J's international presence in the skin and sun care markets and offer substantial expansion possibilities in the U.S. The line debuted in the U.S. with six products in early 1993. J&J's skin and sun care brands currently include the Purpose and Clean & Clear skin and acne care lines and the Sundown and Piz Buin sun care lines. The company's other personal care products include Johnson's and Penaten baby care products, Shower to Shower toiletries, and ACT fluoride rinse. J&J's 1992 worldwide consumer product sales were $ 4.78 bil. LVMH said the RoC divestiture will allow it to "tighten its strategic focus on perfumes and beauty products, relying on the strengths of its Christian Dior, Givenchy and Kenzo brands."