Balmain and Inter Parfums mutually terminate fragrance license

By

Obi Anyanwu

Published
Mar 15, 2017

Inter Parfums announced on Monday a number of new fragrances to launch in 2017 under Rochas, Coach, Montblanc and other brands. One brand that was missing from the list was Balmain. The media learned on Wednesday that Inter Parfums and Balmain have mutually agreed to terminate their licensing agreement early.

 
According to the press, both companies agreed to end the licensing agreement due to declining sales. Balmain fragrance sales have fallen over the past two years, after posting substantial growth from 2012 to 2014.
 
The two companies signed the fragrance license agreement in 2011, and the 12-year deal began in 2012 with Balmain holding an exit option from 2018. Inter Parfums launched three Balmain fragrances after taking over the license, which includes Iviore in 2012, Extatic in 2014 and Balmain Homme in 2015.

Philippe Benacin, Chairman and CEO of Inter Parfums SA, said that Mayhoola, the majority stakeholder of Balmain, “wanted to advance the option and take back the brand from 2017.” The Qatar-based company bought the majority stake in July 2016.
 
Inter Parfums exceeded full year expectations, led by the performance of its European operations. The fragrance company expects its 2017 net sales to range from $550 million to $560 million and for net income to range from $1.20 to $1.24 per share.