P\&G is a leading consumer goods company in the United States that has grown its business through a combination of international growth, alliances, acquisitions and mergers. In 2003, P\&G acquired the beauty care company Wella to acquire products that would complement its current product. In 2004, P\&G acquired AG-Hutchison Ltd to establish a stronger presence in the Chinese consumer goods products market. In 2005, P\&G acquired Gillette, another consumer goods company, in a deal worth approximately $57 billion dollars. Since both P\&G and Gillette are consumer products firms, this acquisition is best described as a a. conglomerate merger. b. vertical merger. c. horizontal merger. d. market extension merger