Russia's L'Etoile acquiring Brocard, Bonjour perfume chains in Ukraine, could buy more chains
L'Etoile Group, which manages the largest perfume chain in Russia under the L'Etoile and Bon Joli trademarks, has announced the acquisition of two perfume chains in Ukraine - Brocard and Bonjour.
"The L'Etoile Group is announcing the acquisition of perfume chains operating under the Brocard and Bonjour brands in Ukraine. It is planned to expand the united chain in Ukraine under the Brocard, Bonjour and L'Etoile brands and organize common management," reads a posting on the Web site of the L'Etoile Group.
L'Etoile Group has united key distribution companies (Hexagone Ltd (Ukraine) and K&K International (France) and retail companies (Brocard and Bonjour) on the perfume and cosmetic market in Ukraine, reads the report.
L'Etoile did not disclose other details of the deals in Ukraine.
Yuriy Hatkin, the top manager of Brocard-Ukraine Ltd, will head L'Etoile's business in Ukraine.
The Russian retailer said that the acquisitions are part of a group's strategy to enter Ukraine.
"Further business expansion in Ukraine through organic growth and possible new acquisitions is being considered," reads the posting.
Today there are over 150 L'Etoile stores in Moscow, and the number of stores in Russia as a whole exceeds 640 (in over 160 cities and towns).
Brocard-Ukraine has been working in Ukraine since 1997. It is part of German holding Brocard Group GmbH&Co.KGa.A, which was created in the early 1990s. The holding unites over 20 companies and operates on several European markets - in Germany, France, Russia, and Ukraine. Brockard Parfums GmbH owns an 80% stake in the capital of the limited liability company. Two individuals own 15% and 5% stakes in the company. The owners of Hexagone are two individuals with 85% and 15% stakes respectively.
As of early January 2011, the Brocard chain consisted of 63 stores in 24 cities and towns of Ukraine. In 2010 the company opened six stores: three in Kyiv, one each in Lviv, Simferopol and Cherkasy.
Brocard-Ukraine Ltd. increased commodity turnover in the chain by 14.3% in 2009 compared to 2008, to UAH 800 million. The company said that it plans to expand its chain by 7-17 stores in 2011 and boost its commodity turnover by at least 10% compared to 2010.
The Bonjour chain has been operating on the Ukrainian market since 1997. It includes six stores, and is the second biggest chain in the country on the perfume and cosmetics market in terms of goods turnover.