Page 26 - ASUTIL 2024 Edition

INSIDER

Essence Corp is supplying 20 of the new duty free stores on the Brazilian border with an extended portfolio of brands, such as the
recent launch of Puig’s Jean Paul Gaultier Divine in Cell Shop Duty Free in Foz de Iguazu in April.

Essence Corp helps build the LATAM border business by Lois Pasternak

Essence Corp has taken full advantage of Sales Antoine Bona, the third generation business has helped the company leverage
of the unique opportunities that opened for of the family-owned and operated its operation into record sales.
it with the establishment of the Brazilian company. “We’ve been working with some “Essence is coming off a historic
duty free border business in 2019. The of our customers for 30 plus years. Many year; we had our best year ever in 2023,”
Miami-based beauty distribution company of them have relationships with my father confirms Antoine Bona. “We have also
has so far added 20 new doors from the and some with my grandfather before that. been extremely lucky that some of our
Brazilian border to the 50 or so outlets it So it’s very rare that all of a sudden there’s brand partners have grown tremendously.
supplies on the Uruguay border, plus those a new market that opens up with all new Our long-time brand partner Interparfums
in Argentina’s free zones, with more to independent operators. It took time to added Ferragamo, DKNY and Lacoste.
come. develop the new relationships and it has EuroItalia added Atkinsons and Michael
“It’s very rare for a completely new been a boon for our business.” Kors to its brand portfolio. So we’ve grown
market to open up,” notes Essence Corp VP In fact, the Latin American border with our existing partners.”

New and expanded brand portfolio
The company also added some very
high-powered new brands, notes Guillaume
Bona, Essence VP of Sales who oversees
the Caribbean business.
“We have an expanded partnership
with Dolce & Gabbana. We had distributed
that brand before through Shiseido only
for the Caribbean. Now that we have a
direct relationship with Dolce & Gabbana
we kept the Caribbean but expanded
our coverage to manage the cruise ship

Antoine Bona, VP of Sales Guillaume Bona, VP of Sales

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