Puressentiel using recent GTR growth to promote philanthropy

By Benedict Evans | Monday, 2 December 2024 22:07

Rocco Pacchioni, Executive Director for Puressentiel, talked to TRBusiness at the recent TFWA World Exhibition & Conference in Cannes about the company’s strong growth within travel retail over the last five years, with the continuously expanding trend for health and wellness products providing a perfect launchpad for the business within the channel.

Pacchioni said of the B Corp-certified, family run company: “We’re happy to have buyers that trust and say, ‘okay, we believe in the story, we believe in the sustainability, we believe in health, and we are willing to give you a space’.

“Now after five years we have a proven track record, and they believe there is space for health in travel retail.”

This success has also allowed Puressentiel to give back; the company has set up the Puressentiel Foundation, which acts as an incubator for 22 projects globally looking to tackle a variety of sustainability challenges, including: the preservation of plant heritage and biodiversity; organising clean-up missions; and offering access to schooling and supporting disadvantaged, disabled or sick children.

While the Covid period was undoubtedly tough on businesses the world over, Pacchioni noted one of the unintended consequences of the global pandemic was a shift in consumer behaviour, engendering a focus on self-care and personal health and wellness, which has contributed to 10% growth year-on-year over the past five years.

Pacchioni highlighted upcoming plans for expansion beyond its European base wins with prominent retailers globally: “We wanted to have a proven track record in Europe before we could go further, and now we’re ready to work in the Middle East, so we signed a new agreement with Lagardère Middle East, and we’re also starting to work with WHSmith and Dufry [Avolta] in the UK.”

Watch below to learn more…