French cosmetics giant opens at Garden City - kenyadetails

French cosmetics giant opens at Garden City

French cosmetic giant LancĂ´me, has entered the Kenyan market through a franchise deal with local firm Lintons Beauty World that will be the sole distributor of its cosmetic products in East Africa.

The LancĂ´me Kenyan franchise was launched at the Garden City Mall on Wednesday.

Lintons, which was started as a pharmacy shop, entered the cosmetics business in 1998.

It sold the pharmacy business three years ago to concentrate on beauty products.

Lintons managing director Joyce Gikunda termed the entry of one of the world’s leading cosmetics brands as a big step for the firm, which opened its fourth store at the Garden City mall this year.

“It’s such an honour to stock some of the biggest brands in the cosmetics industry, Lancôme being one of the most cherished brands by customers,” she said.

Kenyan Hollywood actress Lupita Nyong’o is the 2015 brand ambassador for Lancôme.

The global brand celebrates its 80th anniversary this year.

Baptiste Vesin, marketing manager of Africasie, the main distributors of LancĂ´me products to Africa, said the cosmetic industry in Kenya has grown steadily as witnessed by the increasing entry of international brand franchises.

“Africasie distributes a range of cosmetic brands to Africa, we are seeing most of these companies being more confident to franchise with companies in Africa,” he said at the launch.

Lintons counts in its products portfolio a range of perfumes, makeup and skin care products such as Yves Saint Laurent, Clarins, Mac and Estee Lauder.