PARIS (Reuters) - French cosmetics group Clarins wants to remain independent and is looking at possible acquisitions in France and in the United States, its Chief Executive said in a newspaper interview.
"The first rule is that we want to stay independent. Even if we are being courted, the message is getting across," Christian Courtin-Clarins told French daily Le Figaro.
"Alliances are possible, notably at a commercial level, but we do not wish to lose our freedom by linking up with another group," he added.
In the United States, a weak dollar made acquisitions more affordable. He said, however: "Very often the most interesting businesses are not for sale. So in in the meantime we invest to develop new brands."
These investments weighed on the group's margin, he added.
(Reporting by Dominique Vidalon; editing by Rory Channing)