The Hygie 31 group of pharmacies and parapharmacies (over-the-counter drugs and personal hygiene) has acquired Pascal Coste Shopping, a specialist in the online sale of hair care products. Here is an overview and analysis by the experts at AURIS Finance, a consultancy specialising in mergers and acquisitions.
There is a new development in the e-commerce sector. Hygie31, based in Toulouse, is now expanding into the hair care sector. It has acquired Pascal Coste Shopping, one of the French leaders in hair care e-commerce.
€11 million in turnover
Pascal Coste Shopping has become a benchmark in the hair care market in France, growing rapidly to become a major player in the sector. The online shopping platform was established in 2008 by Pascal Coste. Originally from Montauban, he opened his first hairdressing salon in Nice in 1997. He now heads a network of 350 salons and an e-commerce platform specialising in the distribution of professional hair products, which he is now divesting to Hygie31. Pascal Coste Shopping currently boasts a catalogue of 8,500 products and works with around 200 partner brands. In 2024, the company achieved a turnover of €11 million, with the vast majority of this being generated in France (95% of turnover).
Three strategic areas
This strategic acquisition represents a pivotal moment for Hygie31, as it diversifies its portfolio and structures its business around three core areas: healthcare, its primary sector of expertise; medical devices and assisted living through specialised solutions; and well-being, facilitated by the acquisition of Pascal Coste Shopping. The Hygie31 group aims to become ‘the leading omnichannel healthcare ecosystem’. To achieve this, it has developed comprehensive expertise in supporting pharmacy, optical and medical equipment networks as well as BtoB and BtoC e-commerce sites. This development is made possible thanks to the provision of support services: the Hygie Store purchasing centre, the Hygie Academy training school and the Hygie Purchasing exclusive brands laboratory. In 2024, the group achieved a combined turnover of €3.3 billion through its 1,519 members.
Shared expertise
This operation has been meticulously planned, resulting in the establishment of a new company, Hygie Hair Care, a joint venture between Hygie31 and Pascal Coste Shopping. For the deployment of Pascal Coste Shopping, the group is applying the same tried-and-tested recipes as those used during previous mergers. Dhygietal, the digital subsidiary of Hygie31, will provide its full expertise, including technologies, integrated logistics, digital marketing and financial services. These valuable tools will enable the acquisition of Pascal Coste Shopping to be optimised quickly.
Our experts at your service
This strategic acquisition has provided Hygie31 with a prime opportunity to enter a rapidly expanding sector. The hair care market in France was valued at US$2.3 billion in 2023, with projected growth of US$2.79 billion annually by 2033. The acquisition of Pascal Coste Shopping provides Hygie31 with a strategic gateway to this market. This strategic move could potentially pave the way for further acquisitions within this sector. AURIS Finance’s sector specialisation is a key asset. Our consumer goods specialists will work alongside you and support you in your development strategy, from identifying the target to its integration, including the search for financing.
