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
MULTICULTURAL TEAM OF
1
BASED IN MIAMI
1
REMOTE IN THE REGION
1
SALES & TRAINING
1
MARKETING TEAM
1
ADMINISTRATION & FINANCE
1
BEAUTY CONSULTANTS
1
OUR WAREHOUSE IN MIAMI
SQUARED FEET
1
STAFF MEMBERS
1
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 2002, 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