FTC Wants To Block P&G’s Billie Deal

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has filed an administrative complaint and authorized a suit in federal court to block Procter & Gamble proposed acquisition of Billie, Inc, the direct-to-consumer women’s razors and personal care company.

P&G’s acquisition deal was announced in early January; terms of the accord were not released.

The complaint alleges that the proposed acquisition would allow P&G, the market-leading supplier of both women’s and men’s wet shave razors, to buy Billie, a newer but expanding maker of women’s razors, and thereby eliminate growing competition that benefits consumers. P&G sells women’s and men’s razors under various brands, including Gillette, Venus, and Joy. 

According to FTC’s complaint, Billie sells a quality, mid-tier women’s system razor targeted at Generation Z and Millennial women, including through marketing attacking the practice of pricing women’s razors higher than comparable men’s razors—otherwise known as the “pink tax.” 

“Billie saw an opportunity to challenge P&G’s position as the market leader by finding underserved, price and quality conscious customers, and building an innovative brand,” said Ian Conner, director of the FTC’s Bureau of Competition. “As its sales grew, Billie was likely to expand into brick-and-mortar stores, posing a serious threat to P&G. If P&G can snuff out Billie’s rapid competitive growth, consumers will likely face higher prices.” 

The complaint alleges that the proposed acquisition would eliminate substantial and growing head-to-head competition between P&G and nascent competitor Billie in U.S. wet shave razor markets. In particular, as Billie grew rapidly, P&G introduced its own direct-to-consumer site promoting its women’s system razor brand, Venus. The proposed acquisition also halted Billie’s anticipated expansion into brick-and-mortar retail stores, which would have benefitted consumers through intensified competition between Billie and P&G at retail locations.

The commission vote to issue the administrative complaint and to authorize staff to seek a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction was 4-1. Commissioner Christine S. Wilson voted no.

The FTC will file a complaint in the US District Court for the District of Columbia seeking a Temporary Restraining Order and Preliminary Injunction to stop the deal pending an administrative trial.

The trial is scheduled to begin on June 22, 2021.