Niche fragrances are well-established as a major driver of perfume sales.  But the future looks even brighter as new brands enter the market and multinationals such as Estée Lauder and L’Oréal acquire existing ones with major potential for growth such as Le Labo and Atelier.

One of the most savvy and dynamic brands in the global business is France-based Juliette Has a Gun. Romano Ricci, the great-grandson of legendary fashion designer, Nina Ricci, launched the brand in 2005 and has produced a clutch of cult hits, including Miss Charming, Vengeance and Not A Perfume.

Ricci has always had global ambitions and the brand is now sold in more than 50 countries, including Australia, through more than 2500 outlets such as Sephora in the US.

China has become a particular focus.  In 2018, Juliette Has a Gun began collaborating with Ushopal, an omnichannel acceleration platform within the portfolio of Cathay Capital, the global investment firm with more than US$4 billion in assets and a specialist in cross-border development in North America, Europe, Asia and Africa.

In 2021, Cathay Capital acquired a minority stake in Juliette Has a Gun. An investment that consolidated the brand’s presence in the US, China and the Middle East and developed further markets in Southeast Asia and Latin America.

Over the past four years, Juliette Has a Gun’s global sales have surged 40 per cent annually, tripling its turnover since Cathay Capital came on board to 120 million euros (AUD$195.49 million) in 2022.

A success story that has prompted a new round of funding for Juliette Has a Gun. Cathay Capital has increased its stake in the brand and Weinberg Capital Partners have also acquired a minority share.

Weinberg Capital partners is a France-based investment firm with a wide range of assets, including real estate. Its founder, Serge Weinberg, is also a director of Kering, the owner of Gucci and the second largest luxury goods company in the world after LVMH.

The new cash injection will spur further growth and Ricci believes Cathay Capital’s and Weinberg’s “combined expertise will take the brand to the next stage”.

We have been very impressed with the transformation of Juliette as a Gun over the last three years and the implication of its expert teams and management, which have led them to a real success story, said Edouard Moinet, Partner at Cathay Capital.

“We are proud to remain part of their cross-border growth journey and believe the brand still has significant runway, which is why we are investing even more this time alongside Weinberg Capital Partners to accelerate their development even further”.

Juliette Has a Gun is available in Australia through Agence de Parfum, the leading niche and home fragrance distribution company.

Read the current issue of our digital magazine below:

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *