U.S. antitrust officials are suing to block Procter & Gamble Co.’s acquisition of body-care brand Billie Inc., marking the second direct-to-consumer razor deal disrupted this year over competition concerns.
The Federal Trade Commission said Tuesday that it will file a complaint in federal court on antitrust grounds, claiming the deal would eliminate head-to-head competition and lead to higher prices in the women’s razor market. P&G announced the purchase in January.
“As its sales grew, Billie was likely to expand into brick-and-mortar stores, posing a serious threat to P&G,” Ian Conner, director of the FTC’s Bureau of Competition, said ...
