Bodart joins Euroluxe distribution company to offer brand-building options in LATAM

Guy Bodart

Well-known beauty and travel retail executive Guy Bodart has joined growing regional distribution company Euroluxe as CEO. Bodart’s career includes a long tenure at Chanel in top roles in Panama, Mexico and Brazil, as well as recent stints in senior positions at Duty Free Dynamics and Top Brands International.

“Euroluxe, as our label states, is all about brand building, both for local markets and travel retail,” says Bodart, who came on board early in 2021.

Founded in Miami in 2015, Euroluxe began operations in Mexico’s local market distributing fragrance, cosmetics & jewelry in 2016, and a year later acquired the global license for Carrera Jeans Perfumes, Italy’s best-selling jeans, with offices based in Milan. That same year, the company launched Carrera Jeans Perfumes in key markets across the globe.

It now has offices in Mexico, Uruguay, Chile and Panama (as well as in West Africa) and is present in seven countries with entry points in more than 400 stores in Latin America, Europe, Middle East, West Africa and Asia.

Euroluxe has a strong presence in the Mexico local market for Carrera Perfume, whose high quality, fun fragrances are made in Milan. It is also distributing skincare line Perrricone MD, for which it has opened five points of sale in high end department store Palacio de Hierro.

“We are also in discussions with other brands for local market operation but we would look at the travel retail channel if we think the brand has potential there,” Bodart assures TMI.

Euroluxe is currently distributing the Carrera fragrance brands on the border with all the major operators in Uruguay, and is in talks to assess the potential of Perricone there. The company will soon be announcing another well-known brand, for which it is negotiating regional agreements, says Bodart.

“We offer brands a complete service. Most of the brands that approach us are interested in distribution for the local market of Mexico. If they are new to the region or feel that they want to expand to other markets, we would start discussing travel retail.

“Euroluxe can offer ‘One Stop’ servicing for the travel retail and domestic market. We have superior supply chain management to ensure on time and accurate delivery, for optimum rotation of the products. And our proprietary perfume brand provides our team with valuable knowledge on how to manage all aspects of a brand,” he explains.

The company has a very experienced management with vast experience in the market. In addition to Bodart, Latin America entrepreneur Simon Coutier is a founding partner of Euroluxe, heading up the Mexican operation. He works with Raul Romo, a 30-year veteran of L’Oreal in Mexico local markets. Nicolas Stein is in charge of Euroluxe Mercosur.

Although travel retail is within the company brief, Bodart sees local markets in the region recovering before the travel retail channel.

“Some of the brands that we attract are more niche brands, specific brands that have demand in the local market, as opposed to travel retail, which carries more brands with a global appeal,” he tells TMI.

“Although companies like Dufry in Brazil and Mexico had tried – successfully I think – to offer local products, there are certain limitations to travel retail right now – especially post-COVID when retailers will be trying to regain momentum by focusing on best-sellers. I am sure that they are looking to reduce inventories they need to sell through.”

“Our focus right now is on local markets, because that is where there is strong need for the brands that we have, but we also know that these brands eventually will want to be in travel retail.”

His message to the industry: “If there are brands out there looking for a partner in the region who has experience and presence, we have offices in Montevideo, Panama, Mexico and Chile, we have a small operation in Buenos Aires also, with headquarters in Miami, plus a subsidiary and production facility in Milan for the perfumes. Client brands would also be included in the company’s e-commerce platform.”

For information, contact gbodart@euroluxe.net