Aug 31 (Reuters) – KKR-backed OPI nail polish owner Wella Company filed for a U.S. IPO on Monday, adding to a growing list of consumer companies looking to test investor interest for retail brands in public markets.
The hair and nail care firm, which owns a portfolio of brands including Clairol, Sebastian Professional and Nioxin, has a presence in over 100 countries, employing over 6,000 people.
A broader boost to the IPO market from bumper listings this year has encouraged more consumer companies to go public, after a years-long slowdown in new listings of retail-focused firms.
Permira-backed womenswear firm Reformation went public last month in an offering that raised $211 million, while fashion retailer Tailored Brands has filed to list in New York.
Wella traces its roots to 1880, when German hairdresser Franz Ströher founded a business making hair tulle used in wigs, and has since evolved through a series of acquisitions.
The firm was spun out of Coty after investment firm KKR initially bought a 60% stake from the beauty conglomerate in 2020. It has increased its ownership in the following years, buying a remaining 25.8% of Wella for $750 million in December.
KKR’s initial acquisition valued Wella at $4.3 billion, including debt. Reuters exclusively reported earlier this year that the firm had been working with investment banks for the offering, which could meaningfully exceed that figure.
Wella reported an over 9% rise in revenue for the year through June 30 at $2.94 billion, compared with the same period a year ago, while net income was $62.3 million versus an $8.7 million loss in 2025.
The company intends to list on the NYSE under the symbol ‘WELA’. Goldman Sachs, BofA Securities, KKR, and J.P. Morgan are among the underwriters to the offering.
(Reporting by Utkarsh Shetti in Bengaluru; Editing by Shailesh Kuber)
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