Online health and beauty retailer the hut group is acquiring spa and skincare brand espa from affiliates of KSL Capital Partners in a reported £100m (€83.5m, £76.5m) deal.

Established in 1993, ESPA products and treatments are sold in more than 700 spas across 50 countries, and the brand also provides management and consulting for spas around the world.

Susan Harmsworth, founder of ESPA, said: “I am delighted about this acquisition which paves the way to an exciting next chapter in our journey. I am truly confident that The Hut Group has the passion and expertise to extend ESPA’s holistic philosophy which has been at the heart of our products, spas and treatments for twenty-five years. With spas in over 50 countries, this partnership enables us to reach even more customers all over the world.”

The investment represents another strategic move for THG as it continues to expand its beauty offering and international reach. THG is already Europe’s largest retailer of premium beauty including MAC, Bobbi Brown, Nars and Lancôme products through Lookfantastic.com, and also owns a host of luxury beauty brands including Mio Skincare, Mama Mio, Grow Gorgeous and Glossybox, and now ESPA. In addition to its presence across the beauty industry, THG also owns numerous brands across the health sector, including online health brand Myprotein.

Matthew Moulding, founder and CEO of The Hut Group, said: “ESPA is an exciting addition to The Hut Group’s growing portfolio of beauty brands. Synonymous with luxury, its products are sold in the most prestigious spas and retailers around the globe. We intend to substantially invest further in the ESPA brand, especially in manufacturing capabilities, and to develop the brand into a true global leader in its area. Our investment in acquiring the ESPA brand further supports our ambition of becoming the world’s largest online retailer of health and beauty products by the end of the year.”