The L’Occitane Group, international retailer and manufacturer of sustainability-inspired beauty and wellness products, is now a certified B Corporation (B Corp).

What are B Corps?

B Corps are a new kind of business that balances purpose with profit – the certification, like fair trade, goes to whole companies.

Awarded by B Lab, the label is only given to organisations that use the power of business to solve social and environmental problems. They are legally required to consider the impact of their decisions on their workers, customers, suppliers, community and the environment.

As of August 2023, there are more than 7,300 B Corps from 161 industries in 92 countries, including household brands such as Patagonia and Ben & Jerry’s.

Spa and wellbeing brands that have achieved B Corp status include The Body Shop, Bamford, Comfort Zone, Aromatherapy Associates, Aesop and Elemis (a L’Occitane Group company).

Marking a milestoneDuring its two-year journey to certification, the Group evaluated its impact on all its stakeholders – including employees, the wider community, suppliers, customers and shareholders, as well as the environment – in its offices, factories, stores and supply chain.

The Group says the B Corp certification builds on its ongoing social and environmental commitment; to positively impact people and regenerate nature through empowerment.

André Hoffmann, Group CEO, said: “B Corp certification highlights our evolution as a business and our clear, collective focus on the triple bottom line. By leveraging our unique position as a responsible, successful global business, we can exercise influence and drive long-term positive change throughout the world.”

The Group looks forward to engaging with purpose-led businesses across all sectors as it seeks to lead systemic change.

By sharing best practices, it intends to help other businesses consider the impact of their decisions on all stakeholders in the long term, evaluating where and how they can keep improving.

About the L’Occitane Group

Founded in 1979, the Group operates in 90 countries worldwide and has 3,000 retail outlets – including 1,500 of its own stores.

Its portfolio includes spa product houses Elemis and Grown Alchemist, as well as L’Occitane en Provence which operates seven spas around the globe at Hilton and Accor locations.

The brand provides two kinds of spa concepts; Spa L’Occitane and Spa By L’Occitane.

The Group’s complete collection of beauty brands consists of:• Elemis.

• Erborian.• Grown Alchemist.

• LimeLife by Alcone.• L’Occitane au Brésil.

• L’Occitane en Provence.• Melvita.

• Sol de Janeiro.

Venture studio Obratori and beauty tech start-up Duolab are also part of the Group.