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