Aesop reported target in $2bn bidding war between French groups

LVMH, L'Oreal and Japan's Shiseido Co said to be weighing up bids for Australian luxury beauty brand

Aesop, an Australian luxury cosmetics, shampoo and bodycare brand, is said to be at the centre of a $2bn (1.6bn) bidding war between French multinationals LVMH and L'Oreal.

LVMH, the luxury goods empire controlled the world's richest person, Bernard Arnault; L'Oreal, the world's largest cosmetics company; and the Japanese makeup and fragrance brand Shiseido Co are weighing up bids to buy a stake in Aesop, according to Bloomberg.