Oct 22 (Reuters) - Private equity firm Advent

International is in early discussions to potentially sell its

Parfums de Marly business as soon as next year at a likely

valuation of more than $2 billion, the Financial Times reported

on Wednesday.

The Boston-based investor is yet to hire bankers or make a

final call on a potential divestment, FT said, citing people

familiar with the matter.

The Paris-headquartered company, which owns the Initio

Parfums Privés brand of fragrances, could draw bids from fellow

buyout investors and fragrance peers, it added.

Reuters could not immediately verify the report. Advent

International and Parfums de Marly did not immediately respond

to Reuters' requests for comments.

The potential exit follows a wave of consolidation in

fragrances, which have outpaced the wider beauty industry.

Earlier this week, Kering agreed to offload its

beauty operations to L'Oreal in a 4 billion euro

($4.66 billion) deal that hands the French cosmetics leader the

Creed fragrance line and 50-year licenses for Gucci, Bottega

Veneta and Balenciaga scents.

Last month, Coty ( COTY ) kicked off a strategic review of

its consumer beauty unit, including brands CoverGirl and Rimmel,

to sharpen its emphasis on premium perfumes.

($1 = 0.8575 euros)