- Colgate-Palmolive may sell Softsoap, Irish Spring, and Speed Stick for up to $1 billion
- Goldman Sachs is advising Colgate on the potential sale of its personal care brands
- The divestment aims to help Colgate focus on stronger brands amid rising costs
Softsoap, Irish Spring and Speed Stick could be up for sale, as Colgate-Palmolive is weighing offloading several personal care labels in a deal that could fetch up to $1 billion, Reuters reported on Friday, citing sources.
The company has engaged investment bank Goldman Sachs to advise on the proposed sale, the sources said, speaking on condition of anonymity as the talks remain private.
The brands under consideration are part of Colgate's personal care business, which includes deodorants, bar and liquid soaps, shower gels and skincare products.
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The potential divestment comes as major consumer goods companies reassess their portfolios amid tariff pressures, cautious consumer spending and rising costs of energy and other inputs.
Selling non-core or underperforming assets can allow companies to focus capital and management attention on their stronger brands.
Colgate's broader personal care division, which includes both mass-market and prestige products, accounted for about 17% of the company's net sales in 2025, implying revenue of roughly $3.5 billion.
Oral care remains Colgate's largest business, contributing nearly half of its sales through products including its flagship Colgate toothpaste brand.
The company also operates home care and pet nutrition businesses.
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The New York-based company has a market capitalisation of around $70 billion.
Its shares have gained about 11% so far this year, according to LSEG data.
In its latest quarterly results, Colgate reported a 4.9% rise in net sales, although organic sales in North America declined 3%.
CEO Noel Wallace said this week that intensifying competition in North America meant the company faced a “long-term turnaround” to get the business where it needs to be.
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