USA: Shiseido to acquire custom foundation firm MatchCo

Shiseido, the Japanese cosmetics giant, has announced the acquisition of MatchCo, a US-based firm that creates custom foundation shades based on the customer's individual skin tone, through its regional headquarters and consolidated subsidiary Shiseido Americas.

The firm said that the synergy of MatchCo’s innovative digital tools and its own R&D capabilities would help to enhance a business model that captures the major consumer trend of cosmetics customization.

Founded in 2013, MatchCo lets customers scan their unique skin tones via a mobile app and uses the data collected to individually blend a matching custom foundation for each consumer.

Commenting on the deal, Shiseido CEO Masahiko Uotani said: "We are thrilled to welcome MATCHCo, a company possessing innovative digital technologies, into our Group. Creating innovations is an area of special strategic focus for Shiseido Group, and we look forward to offering more unique value to consumers around the world. This will now be made possible through accelerated innovation in rapidly evolving digital tools and customized products".

Source: Shiseido