Unilever in Talks to Buy Jessica Alba’s Honest Co in Deal Valued Over $1bn

16 Sep 2016 --- Unilever is in talks to buy the "trustworthy" consumer products company Honest Co which was co-founded by the actress Jessica Alba, according to a report.

The deal is valued at over $1bn and comes as the Anglo-Dutch company looks to tap into consumer's growing demand for natural products and the fast-growing green products market.

Honest, set up in 2012, sells products including disposable diapers, personal care and beauty products as well as household cleaning products.

A deal valued at $1 is significantly less than the $1.7bn value attached to Honest, which makes around $300m a year in sales, last year.

There is little overlap between the two companies, as Unilever sold off its North American detergent business in 2008, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Honest was set with an ethos of being a "trustworthy lifestyle brand that touched everything in your home, that was nontoxic and affordable and convenient to get”.

Honest is headquartered in Santa Monica and sells its products via online through a subscription service as well as chains such as Whole Foods and Target.

By buying Honest, Unilever could also benefit from its subscription shopper data.