Expansion beyond Europe
The Antwerp-based brand is already on sale in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Scandinavia and the United States, but Essentiel also seeks further expansion outside of Europe. It had already struck a deal with a Korean partner to open 5 shop-in-shops, with another 30 planned in the next 5 years.
Similar agreements have been made in Canada and the Middle East to distribute its collections, with deals almost signed in Hong Kong, Macao and Singapore according to Essentiel. Eastern Europe is also a point of interest for the company.
Web shop has to triple turnover
An online strategy is an important part of Essentiel’s international expansion, with a French and Benelux web shop already in place since September 2012. This summer, every other European country will get its own version.
The web shop’s turnover is currently equal to that of a regular shop, but Essentiel hopes to triple that in the next few years.
