Colgate-Palmolive is exploring the sale of several well-known personal-care brands in a potential transaction worth more than $1 billion, as it moves to streamline its portfolio amid pressure on North American growth. The company is working with Goldman Sachs on a possible divestiture of brands including Softsoap, Irish Spring and Speed Stick, according to Reuters. The assets under review represent only part of Colgate's personal-care business, which accounted for 17% of 2025 sales, or roughly $3.5 billion, and could collectively fetch more than $1 billion. The move comes amid a broader consumer-goods portfolio reset, with companies including Unilever and Nestle selling noncore businesses as tariffs, higher input costs and financially stretched consumers pressure earnings. Colgate has a market value of roughly $70 billion, and its shares are up about 11% this year, but while net sales increased 4.9%, North American organic sales fell 3%, prompting CEO Noel Wallace to say improving the business would require a long-term turnaround.
Colgate-Palmolive CompanyColgate is exploring a >$1B divestiture of Softsoap, Irish Spring and Speed Stick to streamline its portfolio amid weak North American organic sales.
Nestle S.A.
Unilever PLC
Goldman Sachs Group IncGoldman Sachs is advising Colgate on the potential personal-care brand sale, a passing advisory role mention.
