Unilever plans to acquire Dollar Shave Club in the US in a deal worth about $1bn (€905m), gaining a firmer foothold in the burgeoning market for male grooming products and opening up a new front in its battle against Procter & Gamble.

Consumer goods giant Unilever today unveiled a deal worth £2.3bn (€2.7bn) to add VO5 shampoo and Simple soap to its line-up of hair and skincare products.