Beauty Sales: $3 billion

Major Products: Skin care and cosmetic brands including Yves Rocher, Dr Pierre Ricaud, Daniel Jouvance, Kiotis, ID Parfums Paris, Flomar.

New Products: Anti-Wrinkle Day Cream, Anti-Wrinkle Night Care, Ultra Long Lasting Crème Eye Shadow-Waterproof, Red Berries Smoothie Eau de Toilette, Flowerparty by Night Yves Rocher.

Flower Party by Night, from Yves Rocher, tells an instant botanical story through its cap.

Comments: While an international company, the Yves Rocher Group is still family run, today, by the founder’s eldest grandson Bris Rocher. Yves Rocher’s organic, plant-based beauty products are still manufactured in La Gacilly, in the Britttany region of France where the public can visit the company’s botanical gardens. A 2010 poll showed that one out of three French women are customers of the brand. But others have been won over: It now serves more than 40 million customers in more than 20 countries throughout the world. About 36% of distribution is in France, followed by Western Europe (34%); Eastern Europe (15%); and others (15%). Distribution is by mail order, direct selling and in-store sales. The top 10 markets for Yves Rocher are France, Russia, Germany, Italy, Venezuela, Mexico, Belgium, Spain, Scandinavia and U.S./Canada.

Sales for 2012 topped $3 billion, up from about $2.8 in the previous year. The Yves Rocher brand accounts for almost two thirds of the Group’s sales.
Bris Rocher bought back 19.3% of Yves Rocher from French pharmaceuticals company Sanofi in 2012.

According to a report from Euromonitor, in France, the botanicals beauty company share of market is second only to L’Oréal’s.

The company has long been involved in environmental causes and, as part of a United Nations Environment Program, Yves Rocher has committed to planting 50 million trees before the end of 2015. They are now offering customers a way to join the cause. If they buy one of a list of products specified, the company will plant a tree on their behalf.

Corporate Sales: 2.6 billion
Beauty Sales: $2.1 billion (estimated)

Major Products: Skincare, cosmetics and fragrance sold under brands, including Yves Rocher, Stanhome, Dr. Pierre Ricaud, Daniel Jouvance, Kiotis and ID Parfums.

New Products: Yves Rocher Perfect Primer, Yves Rocher Sexy Pulp Lash Plumping Mascara, Dr. Pierre Ricaud Nutrition Intense, Dr. Pierre Ricaud Neckline, Purple Lilac Eau de Toilette

Yves Rocher’s So Elixir Purple launches in the U.S. this month. It is a sequel to the So Elixir perfume launched in 2010.

Comments: The Yves Rocher Group, known for “botanical beauty” and a commitment to the environment, unites science with natural products, and says it delivers 500 million products in more than 80 countries, and employs more than 15,000 people worldwide (nearly half in France). Further, the Group claims 2,000 stores and 40 million customers.

Earlier this year, Sanofi sold its 19.3% stake in the Yves Rocher Group to Société Financière des Laboratoires de Cosmétologie Yves Rocher, subject to certain closing conditions. When finalized, the Rocher family will control more than 95% of the Group’s capital. The sale price was not undisclosed.

Sanofi acquired a stake in the Yves Rocher Group’s capital in 1973 and divested part of its stake in the early 2000s.

At this year’s FiFi Awards, Yves Rocher North America’s Comme une Evidence Green won in the Direct To Consumer Men category.

According to the Group, it is continuing to strengthen its position in high-yield markets such as France, Germany, Russia, Italy, Spain, Mexico, Scandinavia, Belgium, USA and Canada.