PRESS RELEASE
SARANTIS Group has recently strengthened the portfolio of products it distributes in Bulgaria, through its subsidiary SARANTIS BULGARIA LTD. Specifically, the company commenced in March 07 the distribution of CAROLINA HERRERA and PACO RABANNE fragrances, which were very well received by the neighboring country’s consumers. It is also noted that since last September, the fragrances of ROBERTO CAVALLI and GIANFRANCO FERRE have also been distributed in the Bulgarian market and during this period they have presented significant growth.
SARANTIS BULGARIA LTD began its operations in 1994, constituting the first subsidiary of the SARANTIS Group in Eastern Europe. The Bulgarian company’s activity includes the distribution of own mass market fragrances & cosmetics, semi-selective and selective cosmetics, household products as well as health and care products.
A significant portion of sales realized in the neighboring country by the SARANTIS Group concern own products, amongst which the men’s fragrance STR8, the women’s fragrance lines C-THRU, X-POSE and BU, the sunscreen line CARROTEN as well as the household products FINO, CAMEL, AFROSO and TUBOFLO. At the same time, the Company maintains distribution agreements with the companies JOHNSON & JOHNSON, ANTONIO PUIG, RILKEN, CEP, CHURCH & DWIGHT, WERUSKA&JOEL, LABORATOIRES INGRID MILLET, LA PRAIRIE GROUP and ITF GROUP. Indicatively, mass market products distributed are: O.B., JOHNSON’S BABY, CLEAN&CLEAR, JOHNSON’S, CAREFREE, PENATEN ANTONIO BANDERAS, DIAVOLO, MEDITERRANEO, SPIRIT, BARBIE, PEARL DROPS, RILKEN, EVERLAST, LOTTO as well as the following luxury cosmetics: LA PRAIRIE, SILVER RAIN, INGRID MILLET, ELITE MODEL, EXTE, NINA RICCI, JUVENA, MANGO, GAI MATTIOLO.
During the full year 2006, the Bulgarian market achieved sales of 4.14 mil. euro, thus posting an increase of 24.39% compared to 2005. A significant increase of 33% was also posted during Q1 07, as sales of SARANTIS BULGARIA reached 2.57 mil. euro from 1.94 mil. euro in Q1 06 (taking into account the new consolidation method of joint control for the company K. Theodoridis S.A.). Consolidated earnings before interest and taxes posted a substantial increase of 29.30% at the end of 2006 compared to 2005 reaching 1.18 mil. Euro, while earnings before interest and taxes in Q1 07 on a like to like basis recorded a significant increase reaching 0.23 mil. euro from 0.05 mil. euro in Q1 06.