Lakme cosmetics

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Lakmé is an Indian brand of cosmetics, owned by Unilever. Lakme started as a 100% subsidary of Tata Group (Tomco), it was named after the French opera Lakmé. At the time of its establishment, Indian cosmetic industry was rather nacent, and there was a very small market base. Simone Tata joined the company as director, and went on to become its chairman. When Tata's saw a bigger growth potential in the retail market, and greater competition from global companies in cosmetics, they enetered into a 50-50 joint venture with Hindustan Lever Limited (the Indian subsidary of Unilever) in 1995 to form Lakme Lever. In 1998 Tata sold of there stakes in Lakmé Lever to to HLL, for Rs 200 Crore (45 million US$), and went on to create Trent and Westside.

Website: http://www.lakmeindia.com/index.asp