Through this article written for API, discover the news from Laboratoire Uspalla and Passion Marine.
The Uspalla laboratory expands and launches a sales site for individuals
The Uspalla cosmetics laboratory, located in Perros-Guirec, expanded its premises at the end of February, going from 600 to 800 m². The company is today launching a new B to C sales site for its Passion marine brand.
Established since 2012 in Perros-Guirec, the cosmetics manufacturing company, Laboratoire Uspalla , moved into new premises in February 2024. No move strictly speaking, but an expansion, with an extension of 200 m², bringing the overall surface area to 800 m², for an investment of more than €250,000. “We were stuck in our old premises in terms of storage, but also offices, which could be a hindrance for recruitment,” explains its director Marion Rebaud-Zariffa .
A sales site for Passion Marine
The company specializing in cosmetic products based on marine and natural ingredients (salt, sea water, algae, etc.) manages three activities: the shaping of products, white label or in development, for around forty French brands ( Joone, Alvéolys, etc.) and European, but also the manufacturing and marketing of its Passion marine brands, sold in specialized seaside stores, and Bio Bretagne Océan (BBO), intended for supermarkets. Today, the laboratory is launching its BtoC e-commerce site for its Passion Marine brand. “We hope, within 3 months, to reach 400 monthly orders. » A way to develop sales to individuals, while the large and medium-sized supermarket (GMS) market is tightening.
Fall in sales in supermarkets
“With inflation, the DPH (drugs, perfumes, hygiene) sections of large and medium-sized stores have taken a hit, with a 20% drop in sales, just like organic products,” explains the director. As a result, BBO's turnover fell, but we compensated with Passion marine . » The company, which does not prefer to communicate its 2023 turnover, still indicates that it is down compared to 2022. It hopes that the launch of the sales site will make up for the loss of income. Another avenue: export, notably with a project in Korea, even if Marion Rebaud - Zariffa prefers to remain cautious. “It’s not my area. For the moment, we are prospecting, particularly in Europe, because our products comply with European regulations. »
Juliette Oriot for API News - May 2024
