MASTER DISTRIBUTOR OF FINE FRAGRANCES AND COSMETICS FOR:

  • The Duty Free & Travel Retail Markets of the Americas:
    Airports, Cruise Ships, In-Flight, Free Zones/Border shops, Ports & Downtown
  • The Caribbean:
    Airports, Ports & Downtown

We are PASSIONATE about our brands
PROUD to serve our clients and DRIVEN by excellence

OUR TEAM IN NUMBERS

1
MULTICULTURAL TEAM OF
1
BASED IN MIAMI
1
REMOTE IN THE REGION
1
SALES & TRAINING
1
MARKETING TEAM
1
ADMINISTRATION & FINANCE
1
BEAUTY CONSULTANTS

OUR WAREHOUSE IN MIAMI

1
SQUARED FEET
1
STAFF MEMBERS

OUR HISTORY

1954-1988

  • G&B S.A. was founded in Paris in 1954 by Maurice Guillo & Jacques Bona, exporting luxury brands, Dior, Rochas & Givenchy, to the Caribbean and Central America
  • From the mid-seventies, second generation, Jean-Jacques & Philippe Bona, expanded to South America,
    launching Azzaro & Gucci, opened a Panama branch in 1982 and further expanded to US/Canada duty-free Markets
  • In 1988, Essence Corp. was founded in Miami, with an emphasis on distribution activity

1993

  • Beginning of a strong partnership with Interparfums for the whole Travel Retail territory of the Americas

2002-2004

  • In 2022, Antoine, Guillaume, and Laetitia Bona Piedra joined Essence Corp
  • In 2003, became the regional Sales and Marketing office for The Clarins Group in the Caribbean

2007

  • Beginning of a long-term relationship with EuroItalia for the whole Travel Retail territory of the Americas

2011-2014

  • Starting 2011, Essence Corp. strengthened its Caribbean portfolio by introducing brands like Hermes, Shiseido, Bulgari, and in 2013 introducing PUIG
  • In 2014, Essence Corp. acquired Victoria’s Secret and Bath&Body Works for the Caribbean and Travel Retail Americas. An exclusive division was set up for this business

2016-2018

  • In 2016, Panabel S.A. was founded in partnership with Matthieu Castillon to handle local market distribution in Colombia, Panama, & Costa Rica
  • In 2018, the introduction of Dior marked the start of a robust partnership with LVMH in the Caribbean. Rituals was successfully launched across all Travel Retail markets in the Americas

2021

  • Acquisition of L’Occitane for the Caribbean & select Travel Retail Americas’ markets
  • Bath & Body Works appoints Essence Corp. as its Worldwide Travel Retail distributor
  • Introduction of Parfums de Marly in the Americas 

2023

  • Introduction of Dolce & Gabbana in the Caribbean & cruise ships
  • Birth of new venture, Essence
    International, with the Uruguayan borders

2024

  • News coming soon!

OUR PHILOSOPHY

COLLABORATE closely with our brands

FOLLOW OUR BRANDS’ CORE VALUES

RESPECT THE BRANDS’ IMAGE AND STRATEGY

ALWAYS REMAIN LOYAL AND TRANSPARENT

MAINTAIN LONG-TERM PARTNERSHIPS

OUR ADDED VALUE

EXPERTISE IN BEAUTY DISTRIBUTION • HIGHLY QUALIFIED AND TALENTED TEAMS

STRONG HISTORICAL PRESENCE IN THE REGION • ESTABLISHED RELATIONSHIPS WITH KEY CLIENTS

EFFICIENT LOGISTICS AND WAREHOUSE MANAGEMENT • STRONG FINANCIALS