Lakme cosmetics

Lakmé is an Indian brand of cosmetics, owned by Unilever. Lakme started as a 100% subsidiary of Tata Oil Mills (Tomco), part of theTata Group, it was named after the French opera Lakmé, which itself is the French form of Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, also renowned for her beauty. At the time of its establishment, Indian cosmetic industry was rather nascent, and there was a very small market base. Lakme was started in 1952, famously because the then Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru was concerned that Indian women were spending precious foreign exchange on beauty products, and personally requested JRD Tata to manufacture them in India. Simone Tata joined the company as director, and went on to become it's chairman. When the Tatas 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 subsidiary of Unilever) in 1995 to form Lakme Lever. In 1998 Tata sold off their stakes in Lakmé Lever to HLL, for Rs 200 Crore (45 million US$), and went on to create Trent and Westside. Even today, when most multinational beauty products are available in India, Lakme still occupies a special place in the hearts of Indian women.

Lakme also started its new business in the beauty industry by setting up Lakme Beauty Salons all over India.Now HUL (Hindustan Unilever Limited) has about 110 salons all over India providing beauty services.

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