Clarins ends P&G distribution deal, concentrates on own fragrances
for Procter & Gamble in the United States would come to an end
on 31 December 2005, in a move that would allow it to concentrate
on its own fragrance brands, Clarins, Thierry Mugler and Azzaro.
Clarins USA currently distributes perfume brands Hugo Boss, Giorgio, Patou, Lacoste and Valentino in the US for Cincinatti-based Procter and Gamble (P&G).
The French cosmetics company said that it would mark the end of a mutually beneficial six-year venture that had also allowed Clarins to strongly establish its own perfume brands on the American market.
With combined sales in 2004 amounting to around US$50 m (€41 m) in the US, Clarins' own fragrance brands, Thierry Mugler and Azzaro, have now reached the critical mass that justified an independent structure, said the company.
Paris-headquartered Clarins said that the end of the alliance with P&G did not call the future of these brands into question.
Clarins has been building the Thierry Mugler and perfume brands since 1992 when it first worked with the fashion designer to create his debut fragrance, Angel.
Thierry Mugler Parfums was established in that year, which also marked the invention of a new olfactory family to which Angel belonged: Oriental-Gourmand.
Although not prepared to comment on its specific plans, the company said that Clarins USA remained open to possible new ventures, either with P&G, with whom discussions are continuing, or with other partners.
