Plantier Developments is owned and operated by Carol Priest Natural Cosmetics’ namesake and founder, Carol Priest, who also developed the Plantier Developments-owned Plantae Certified Organic skin care line – one of the fastest growing brands in the Asia-Pacific natural cosmetic category.
According to Priest, who has the title of managing director and formulator for Plantier Developments, the takeover will unveil a multitude of opportunities for the brands.
Bringing two complimentary brands together
“Plantæ and Carol Priest Natural Cosmetics are complementary brands so it made good business sense to acquire full ownership of both companies to align our business development strategies and further our breadth of capabilities,” said Priest.
The Plantae line has grown exponentially since it was launched in 2012, and is now available from 58 stockist in New Zealand, as well as being distributed in Europe, Canada, Australia, Korea, and the company’s e-commerce website.
Priest says that her aim is that the takeover of the Carol Priest Natural Cosmetics line will also serve to heighten the caliber and reputation of the brand along the same lines as that already achieved by the Plantae line.
Following up on the success of the Plantae line
“We have been blown away by the popularity and response to the Plantæ products, including our recently released Rosehip Regenerative Facial Serum, which has become an overnight sensation due to its potency, utilising the entire rosehip fruit, and the high quality of the certified organic ingredients used in the formulation of the product,” Priest said.
“Carol Priest Natural Cosmetics has a strong presence in Asian markets, which is where we will continue to expand the brand in addition to targeting exclusive distribution in New Zealand-based day spas and salons, whereas Plantæ is marketed through health stores and pharmacy chains both nationally and abroad.”
Plantae line has already made its mark in Europe
Back in May of this year Priest announced that Plantæ was making the the jump from New Zealand to the European market, after securing a distribution deal in the United Kingdom.
The UK is one of the biggest markets in Europe for natural and cosmetics products, and has continued to deliver high single digit growth figures year-on-year, even during the current economic downtown, where other industry categories have remained largely stagnant.
Priest, who established the line with her two daughters, secured a distribution contract with Purely Natural Cosmetics, which specialises in the distribution of natural and organic cosmetic and personal care products.
The company is based in the small city of Nelson, in New Zealand’s North Island, and because of the brands modest origins, at the time Priest believes pinpointed the start of international distribution as a major step for the flourishing organic industry in the region.