
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
- 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
2004
- B&L Corp founded in partnership with the Blanc family to do our own logistics
2007
- Beginning of a long-term relationship with EuroItalia for the whole Travel Retail territory of the Americas
2011
- Strengthening of the Caribbean portfolio
- Introduction of Hermes, Shiseido and Bulgari
2014
- Acquisition of Victoria’s Secret and Bath & Body Works for the Caribbean and Travel Retail Americas. Exclusive division set up for this business
- Introduction of Puig
2016
- Panabel S.A. founded in partnership with Matthieu Castillonto handle local market distribution in Colombia, Panama and Costa Rica
2018
- Introduction of Dior, beginning of a strong partnership with LVMH in the Caribbean
- Launch of Rituals in all Travel Retail markets of 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