Since its inception, RISE Brand Partners has positioned itself as a brand-building partner, curating a disruptive portfolio focused on fragrances and beauty that capitalize on rapidly evolving traveler consumer trends. RISE is accelerating its development across Travel Retail Americas while reinforcing its growing presence throughout the Caribbean and select domestic markets.
Over the past year, RISE Brand Partners has expanded with major retail operators including Avolta, Starboard, Duty Free Americas, Heinemann, and 3Sixty Duty Free, consolidating its presence across strategic airport environments and reinforcing its positioning within the global travel retail landscape.
RISE Brand Partners Co-Founders Jean-David Sebaoun & Romain Ritter tell TMI that a central pillar of its expansion has been the introduction of high-potential, distinctive and disruptive brands. Names such as CLEAN, Solinotes, FRÉ, and Michael Malul demonstrate RISE’s ability to identify unique positioning across fragrance and skincare while successfully introducing and nurturing brands in competitive markets.
RISE recently added CLEAN, the first clean fragrance brand in the U.S., to the portfolio. RISE is the distributor for CLEAN in travel retail globally. Known for its accessibility and innovation, the 20-year-old brand includes four collections that range in price from about $36 to $200. RISE will initially be focusing on CLEAN’s new hair and body perfume mists with the goal of being oncounter in the second semester.
Solinotes, which RISE says is the number one masstige pharmacy brand in the French market, creates fragrances that feature one primary note, one color, and one emotion, and is available in a rainbow of 27 fragrances. Very accessibly priced and perfect for layering, the fragrances are presented in two formats, 15 ml, priced at $14 and 50ml, priced at $24. The brand is present in more than 50 countries worldwide.
“We have already listed Solinotes throughout the Caribbean and are now entering Avolta’s Hudson in North America,” says Sebaoun.
FRÉ is in the booming category of mineral sun care. The products feature no white cast, while providing anti-aging and skincare benefits, using a patented Argan complex that combines argan oil with stem cells and leaf water.
“FRÉ is positioned as a three-in-one product for sun protection, skincare, and makeup, with tinted products that can replace foundation. It is available globally in travel retail and has a strong presence at Macy’s in the U.S.,” says Sebaoun.
Michael Malul is an accessibly priced niche American fragrance brand addressing the broad American consumer with a collection of fragrances for various profiles. The brand offers masculine, feminine, and gender-free fragrances, created by world-renowned perfumers and is distributed in over 3,000 stores in the U.S.
“Michael Malul is one of the stronger brands in our portfolio, and one of the larger. We are their master global distributor for international, domestic and travel retail. With the exception of the U.S. local market, and Canada, we handle travel retail globally, including the U.S.,” comments Ritter.
“We’ve managed to open sizable distribution since we started. We’re present in many countries in Latin America, including Panama and Costa Rica and are opening Colombia and Chile. We have the Caribbean covered as well,” he says.
Most recently, RISE welcomed Sabrina Carpenter Fragrances to its airport portfolio through a partnership with Scent Beauty, Inc. This addition strengthens RISE’s presence within the fast-growing celebrity fragrance segment, alongside Billie Eilish Fragrances and Marley Fragrances. Billie Eilish has ranked as the #2 fragrance brand in US NPD over the past three years, while Marley Fragrances has been a Top 10 ranking fragrance in the Caribbean since launch.
Together, RISE says that these globally recognized franchises highlight its ability to manage high-profile brands that combine strong cultural relevance, global fan engagement, and solid retail performance across its markets.
In the premium positioning, RISE also distributes Tommy Hilfiger Fragrances and Elie Saab across Travel Retail Americas and the Caribbean through its partnership with Give Back Beauty. In parallel, RISE has expanded into haircare through its partnership with Wella Group, adding WELLA, SEBASTIAN, BRIOGEO, NIOXIN, and OPI to its portfolio.
RISE actively invests in visibility, storytelling, and impactful market entries, such as the high-profile debut of Marley Fragrances in Jamaica, says the partners. This hands-on, growth-driven approach – which includes immersive retail activations and large-scale launch events — has translated into increasing consumer engagement and strong sell-out performance across key airport and regional retail doors, they say.
RISE is also commited to excellence at the point of sale, which is reflected in the retail services it delivers to leading fragrance and beauty brands, including the world’s foremost global beauty brand.
Over the past few months, RISE has expanded its team across commercial, marketing, retail, and operational functions, enhancing its ability to execute consistently across multiple territories while maintaining an agile, hands-on approach.
“From the beginning, our ambition was not simply to distribute products, but to build brands with intention and long-term vision. Whether working with globally recognized franchises or high-potential emerging brands, we focus on visibility, engagement, and measurable retail performance,” comments Sebaoun and Ritter.
“The trust placed in us by partners reflects the credibility we have built in a relatively short time. We are entering a new phase of development — with a stronger team, broader geographic reach, and the confidence to scale further while staying true to our entrepreneurial and disruptive DNA. We are corporate-trained, yet entrepreneurs at heart!”
