Prestige and luxury fragrances have continued to show significant growth in recent years, as other areas of the category, specifically mass and celebrity fragrances, have seen a steady decline in revenues worldwide.
And competition has been heating up amongst the big players, with Coty increasing its footprint in luxury fragrances after its acquisition of P&G fragrance portfolio, and Estée Lauder also expanding its footprint in the sector through acquisitions.
Building on L’Oreal’s prestige portfolio
The acquisition will add to a prestige portfolio at L’Oréal that already includes some of the biggest names in the cateogory, including Yves Saint Laurent, Lancôme and Ralph Lauren.
"Alternative perfumery is currently a high-growth segment. We are delighted to welcome the perfume House Atelier Cologne within L’Oréal Luxe,” Nicolas Hieronimus, president L’Oréal Selective Divisions.
“Thanks to its expertise in niche perfumery, this brand will perfectly complement the L'Oréal Luxe’s brand portfolio which includes exclusive perfume collections from its biggest brands: Armani Privé, Le Vestiaire des parfums by Yves Saint Laurent, Maison Lancôme, Replica by Maison Margiela as well as the Ralph Lauren Collection."
Built around the French fragrance tradition
France-based Aletlier Cologne has built up a portfolio that has evolved out of the French tradition for fine fragrances that use natural raw materials, largely sourced from the country.
The range has been extended to encompass fragranced soaps, shower gels and body lotions targeted at both men and women, and also includes a line of candles for the home.
Currently the portfolio is present in 800 points of sales in prestige stores and perfumeries in 40 countries, as well as a select number of e-commerce sites.
There are also six stand-alone stories, with three in France, two in the U.S and one in Hong Kong.