L’Oréal CEO Nicholas Hieronimus has expressed an interest in earlier access to the Gucci beauty and fragrance licence, which was acquired by the French beauty giant as part of its Kering Beauté deal last year.
Speaking during a webcast for L’Oréal’s full-year 2025 update, Hieronimus was asked about L’Oréal’s interest in closing the Gucci licence deal earlier.
“As far as Gucci, it is really something that is being discussed between Kering and Coty, so I cannot comment on it,” said Hieronimus.
“Would we be happy to have it sooner?
“It will take time to work on new projects and to refine the brand, so we will need some time, and we will be happy to get the brand sooner.”
Hieronimus added that the overall Kering Beauté deal was very important for L’Oréal, which puts the business “apart from the rest in luxury beauty”.
During the call, he added: “I am very proud that we could sign it and agree with the Kering management to make this deal.”
Hieronimus’ comments follow Coty CEO Markus Strobel stating he is “open” to a potential early termination of the French beauty giant’s Gucci beauty and fragrance licence.
Strobel, who spoke during a Q&A session as part of Coty’s Q2 2026 financial update, was asked by Nik Modi, from RBC Capital Markets, if he is open to ending the Gucci Beauty licence early.
“We are always open for deals that create value for us, that create value for our shareholders. So yes, we are open,” said Strobel during the call.
Kering revealed its intent to sell its beauty division to L’Oréal in October 2025, which will see the French beauty giant acquire fragrance and beauty licences across a number of Kering brands, such as House of Creed.
The partnership also includes the rights to enter into a 50-year exclusive licence for the creation, development, and distribution of fragrance and beauty products for Gucci.
This will commence after the expiration of the current licence with Coty, which is set to end in 2028.
Coty has held the licence to create Gucci products for more than a decade, having acquired it through the purchase of Procter & Gamble's speciality beauty business in 2016.
Photo Credit: Cosmetics Business
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