Premium Beauty News - How would you introduce the Vabel group today?
Christophe Sallès - The group was built upon the strategic combination of companies specialising in perfumes and cosmetics. Since 2023, we have had two major activities: our own brands, and the development and manufacturing in partnership with our customers’ brands (CDMO*). Since it was founded, the group has mainly focused on high-end brands across all categories: perfumes, cosmetics, and makeup. Now, we are present in 80 countries, with an integrated approach as a designer, manufacturer, and distributor.
Premium Beauty News - What are the brands in your portfolio?
Christophe Sallès - We have almost 20 own brands, and they have the advantage of covering four distribution channels.
In selective perfumes, we have Jacomo, the iconic 1970s brand, which was relaunched in 2023 with an ambitious plan across all traditional and digital media, and our spokesmodel, French-Algerian actor Nassim Lyes. After renovating the initial compositions, Jacomo now offers three men’s and one women’s perfumes, J de Jacomo, J Sport, Eau Cendrée and J for Her, as well as three skincare products and gift sets. The range will be even broader starting from early 2027. The products are distributed through the selective channel and online in Nocibé’s network in France, in the US, in Asia, and in the Middle East, with other partners.
We have also been working with many licenses like Pokemon, Disney, Barbie, Pierre Cardin, and lately with the PSG soccer team, for perfumes and cosmetics.
In supermarkets, we have the historical family brand Corine de Farme, which covers all product ranges, including wellness, sun care, baby care, and hair care, as well as other more technical products for sensitive skins. We also have the brand Cottage, with its perfumed shower milks and oils and intensely fruity perfumes, our perfume brand Inessance Paris and its affordable perfumes embracing luxury codes, iconic brand Pierre Cardin, and Féérique’s glitter hair sprays. Then we distribute Evian’s mist sprayer range, which we actually own.
In pharmacies, we have dermocosmetics brands Institut Phyto and Mrs Potters: the former is much technical when it comes to sun protection and baby care, and the latter draws inspiration from ancient plants’ benefits for its hair care ranges. We also offer a skincare range adapted to ageing skins, with Flor’Net – a real success.
For diversification purposes, we have also launched two hygiene product brands focused on animal wellness, Les Woufs in pharmacies, pet stores, and veterinarian facilities, and Pet Friends in supermarkets.
Premium Beauty News - Your CDMO activity accounts for 60% of your revenue. What are your strengths in this area?
Christophe Sallès - In the prestige segment, we work in partnership with almost all major luxury and ultra-luxury brands. We also collaborate with pharmacy brands and private labels in supermarkets.
Our strength lies in our flexibility and reactivity. We have six plants in France and one in Poland, where we can produce all types of formulas. This way, we quickly respond to our customers’ requests, even though forecasting is increasingly tricky in our market. In addition, we have an integrated logistics platform which contributes to our high level of performance in France and globally.
Lastly, innovation is at the core of our strategy: our team of R&D engineers is split across four sites and responds to several thousands calls for tenders every year.
Premium Beauty News - How do you deal with the current market volatility?
Christophe Sallès - We cover four distribution networks with our private labels and customer brands. Our multi-sector expertise helps maintain the highest quality standards across the whole cosmetics industry. Plus, we are present in 80 countries, where we can put forward our Made-in-France asset: foreign brands willing to make their products in France are sensitive to this.
Premium Beauty News - What are your objectives for the years to come?
Christophe Sallès - I intend to further expand our vertical integration as a designer, manufacturer, and distributor. I would also like to create multi-business external growth in perfumes, cosmetics, hygiene, and even home care – I am considering entering this segment. In a much complex and unstable world, you want to be resilient and determined, question yourself, and highlight all your employees, with no exception.
