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L'Occitane en Provence ((:lɔk.si.tan ɑ̃ pʁɔ.vɑ̃s)) and commonly known as L'Occitane, is an international retailer of body, face, fragrances and home products based in Manosque, France. The company was founded in 1976 by Olivier Baussan with the purpose to create a company that celebrates and preserves the traditions of his native Provence. The company name means "the Occitan woman (Provence )". In 2010, the company became listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. ==History== In 1976, 23-year-old Olivier Baussan used steam distillation to produce essential oil from wild rosemary〔(Olivier Baussan ), L'Occitane〕 and lavender which he sold at open-air markets in his native Provence. ''L'Occitane'' was named for the women of Occitania. This area existed during the Middle Ages, spanning southern France, north-eastern Spain and northern Italy. Occitan was the native language and is still spoken as a second language in some areas of this region today. The first L'Occitane boutique opened in 1978 in Volx, a village in Provence.〔 Baussan found a disused soap factory in Manosque, another Provençal village, which he took over to manufacture vegetable-based soaps using traditional methods. In the 1990s, Baussan sold a majority stake in the business to venture capitalists to finance expansion. As their approaches were incompatible, Baussan found himself excluded from daily management and strategic decision-making.〔 In 1994, Austrian businessman Reinold Geiger bought a 33% stake in the group.〔 Through a series of capital increases, Geiger became majority shareholder in 1996.〔("History, Culture and Corporate Structure" ) ''Listing Particulars: L'OCCITANE INt S.A.''〕 Geiger, as the new chairman, asked Baussan to return as creative director and lead product development. The company's new focus on marketing strategy paved the way for international expansion.〔 In the late 1990s the company changed its name to 'L'Occitane en Provence', to strengthen the connection with the company's roots and because the term 'Provence' had more meaning to an international audience. On 20 April 2001, Clarins became a financial investor in the company through subscription to approximately 5.18% of the company's shares and €11,433,750 convertible debenture loan. On 22 February 2005, Clarins further invested €16,525,580 in convertible debentures. When the debentures were converted, Clarins held 23.33% of the shares. The management executed a leveraged buyout in May 2007 following which Reinold Geiger's stake rose from 31.9% to 48.7%, and Clarins' stake was diluted to 10.0%.〔 L'Occitane has shops in over 90 countries, in North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Australia and Africa; with 170 shops in the United States.〔Lee, Maggie. (Business "Interview: Olivier Baussan, founder, L'Occitane" ) ''The Independent'' (9 April 2006)〕〔Jennifer Creevy, "Scent of a winner". Retail Week 28 July 2006.〕 At the launch of its IPO in 2010, the company announced that its products were sold in over 80 countries through over 1,500 retail locations; it had 753 L'Occitane Stores. In the year ended 31 March 2009, it generated sales of €537.3 million;.〔 It planned over 650 store openings with the capital raised.〔Steger, Isabella (26 April 2010). L'Occitane sets sights on HK$2.45b in IPO, ''South China Morning Post''〕 In 2013 the company employed 6,600 people worldwide and created a new brand ''L'Occitane au Brésil'', focused on products from Brazil.〔 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「L'Occitane en Provence」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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