OUR HISTORY

1953

  • G&B S.A., founded by Maurice Guillo and Jacques Bona in Paris.
  • Agency exporting luxury brands to the Caribbean and Central America.
  • Introduction of Dior, Rochas, and Givenchy.


1974

  • 2nd Generation Philippe and Jean-Jacques Bona join the company.
  • Expansion to South America.
  • Launch of Azzaro and Gucci.


1982

  • Jean-Jacques and wife, Patricia, open a G&B branch in Panama.
  • Expansion to US and Canada duty-free markets.


1988

  • Essence Corp. founded in Miami.
  • Emphasis on distribution activity.


1993

  • Beginning of a strong partnership with Interparfums for the whole Travel Retail territory of the Americas.
  • Introduction of Burberry Fragrances followed by Montblanc, Jimmy Choo, Oscar de la Renta, Abercrombie, Coach, and Kate Spade.


2002

  • 3rd generation joins the company.
  • Antoine Bona, Guillaume Bona and Laetitia Bona Piedra.


2003

  • Appointment by the Clarins Group to manage its Sales and Marketing regional office.
  • After 12 years and to this day, Essence Corp. remains the Caribbean distributor for The Clarins Group.


2007

  • Beginning of a long-term relationship with EuroItalia for the whole Travel Retail territory of the Americas.
  • Introducing Versace and Moschino.


2009-2014

  • Strengthening of the Caribbean portfolio
  • Introduction of Hermes, Shiseido Group, Bulgari and Puig.


2014

  • Acquisition of Victoria’s Secret and Bath & Body Works for the Caribbean and Travel Retail Americas.
  • Exclusive division set up for this business.


2017

  • Introduction of Dolce & Gabbana and Sisley in the Caribbean
  • Launch of Rituals in all Travel Retail markets of the Americas.


2018

  • Beginning of a strong partnership with LVMH in the Caribbean
  • Introduction of Dior and Benefit followed by Loewe, Acqua di Parma, Givenchy, Kenzo, and Guerlain.


2019

  • Expansion to the Brazilian Border Duty-Free market.


2020

  • Creation of a new Caribbean division to distribute Unilever Beauty and masstige brands.


2021

  • Bath & Body Works appoints Essence Corp. as its World Wide Travel Retail distributor
  • Acquisition of L’Occitane for the Caribbean


  • G&B S.A., founded by Maurice Guillo and Jacques Bona in Paris.
  • Agency exporting luxury brands to the Caribbean and Central America.
  • Introduction of Dior, Rochas, and Givenchy.


  • 2nd Generation Philippe and Jean-Jacques Bona join the company.
  • Expansion to South America.
  • Launch of Azzaro and Gucci.


  • Jean-Jacques and wife, Patricia, open a G&B branch in Panama.
  • Expansion to US and Canada duty-free markets.


  • Essence Corp. founded in Miami.
  • Emphasis on distribution activity.


1993

  • Beginning of a strong partnership with Interparfums for the whole Travel Retail territory of the Americas.
  • Introduction of Burberry Fragrances followed by Montblanc, Jimmy Choo, Oscar de la Renta, Abercrombie, Coach, and Kate Spade.


2002

  • 3rd generation joins the company.
  • Antoine Bona, Guillaume Bona and Laetitia Bona Piedra.


2003

  • Appointment by the Clarins Group to manage its Sales and Marketing regional office.
  • After 12 years and to this day, Essence Corp. remains the Caribbean distributor for The Clarins Group.


2007

  • Beginning of a long-term relationship with EuroItalia for the whole Travel Retail territory of the Americas.
  • Introducing Versace and Moschino.


2009-2014

  • Strengthening of the Caribbean portfolio
  • Introduction of Hermes, Shiseido Group, Bulgari, and Puig.


2014

  • Acquisition of Victoria’s Secret and Bath & Body Works for the Caribbean and Travel Retail Americas.
  • Exclusive division set up for this business.


2017

  • Introduction of Dolce & Gabbana and Sisley in the Caribbean
  • Launch of Rituals in all Travel Retail markets of the Americas.


2018

  • Beginning of a strong partnership with LVMH in the Caribbean
  • Introduction of Dior and Benefit followed by Loewe, Acqua di Parma, Givenchy, Kenzo, and Guerlain.


2019

  • Expansion to the Brazilian Border Duty Free market.


2020

  • Creation of a new Caribbean division to distribute Unilever Beauty and masstige brands.


2021

  • Bath & Body Works appoints Essence Corp. as its World Wide Travel Retail distributor
  • Acquisition of L’Occitane for the Caribbean