Holland & Barrett owner NBTY to be acquired by Carlyle

Nutritional supplements and health food retailer NBTY - owner of Holland & Barrett - is to be acquired by private equity investor The Carlyle Group in a transaction valued at $3.8bn (£2.5bn). The transaction is expected to close by the end of 2010.

NBTY chairman and chief executive Scott Rudolph said: “For our wholesale and retail customers, commitment to quality and innovation will continue to be our focus. We will leverage Carlyle’s global resources and consumer sector knowledge to further drive the company’s global growth.”