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INTERVIEW

EM: Is being directly involved in
the production creation something
fundamental for you?
HJ: Our first area of expertise is creativity:
the ability to create and bring products to
life in a way that truly reflects each brand.
That is why, from the very beginning, I
wanted our Group to have its own Creation
& Design agency. Our teams have been
significantly strengthened and are now able
to support the entire creative process, from
product development and brand identity to I have been passionate about the beauty consumers and sell directly to them. Digital
merchandising tools and communication industry for 35 years, and I am convinced that is particularly important for our skincare and
materials. This gives us greater control over there are still a thousand things to discover. make-up brands, which generate a significant
the consistency and execution of our brands. We have to remain capable of meeting share of their revenue through e-commerce —
existing and emerging consumer needs in an a channel that did not even exist on this scale
EM: Last but not least, your Group also environment that is extremely complex and not so long ago. Today, online sales represent
has a retail division… constantly changing. the largest share of our revenue.
HJ: Yes. We currently have two perfumeries
in Paris and one in Reims. Our Création EM: You’ve let us in on the winning recipe… EM: Do you feel optimistic?
Beauté Retail division gives our brands the HJ: The recipe for success is to have good HJ: I am very optimistic.
opportunity to be in direct contact with cards in your hand — strong brands and good Over the past two or three years, our Group
consumers, alongside long-established and products — but, above all, to know how to has experienced significant growth, driven in
well-known brands. play them well: marketing, people, processes particular by the integration and development
Retail provides us with valuable first-hand and organisation. Staying vigilant is just as of major brands such as Le Couvent, Salvador
insights into consumer behaviour and important, whether you are a large or a small Dalí and Lancel in fragrances, and Rexaline,
allows us to experience our brands from the company. You have to pay attention to the Black Up, Olivier Claire and Nubiance in
consumer’s perspective. details and never hesitate to challenge what skincare and make-up, to name just a few.
you have already done with a brand. We have invested significantly in brands that
EM: How do you succeed in translating Nothing lasts forever, and you have to already had strong foundations and genuine
your ‘savoir-faire’ into a bigger and constantly challenge yourself. potential. At the same time, we continue to
bigger business smoothly? invest in improving products, formulas and
HJ: A company is greatly influenced by the EM: In an era when everything goes brand image, always with the objective of
temperament of its leader. I am someone very quickly, what role does the digital moving forward. Innovation is essential, of
who works hard, thinks long term and sphere have in your organization? course, but we also place great importance on
believes in laying the foundations for solid HJ: It is essential. operational excellence: flawless production,
and sustainable growth. Development has to We have established dedicated digital reliable product delivery, strong relationships
be managed and controlled, with each step teams, and each of our brands has its own with distributors and, above all, effective go-
following naturally from the previous one. online sales platform to communicate with to-market execution.
Claudia Stagno
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