Procter & Gamble Weighs Sale of Attends Unit

Procter & Gamble Co., aiming to sharpen its strategy of divesting its smaller brands, said it is exploring the sale of its North American Attends business, which sells adult incontinent briefs and skin wipes products. The Cincinnati-based consumer products giant, whose products range from Crest toothpaste to Pringles potato chips, said it will retain the profitable unit if it does not receive acceptable offers. The company will continue its Attends operations, which include educational programs, in Europe and Japan. A P&G; spokeswoman declined to comment on how much the Attends business in North America contributes to the company’s total annual revenue of about $36 billion. P&G; said it retained Goldman, Sachs & Co. to lead the divestiture effort. P&G; shares fell $1.44 to close at $88.13 on the NYSE.