Smells Like Gap Spirit

Gap Inc. (San Francisco) has signed an exclusive agreement with Inter Parfums, Inc. (New York) to design and manufacture a line of personal care products under the Gap and Banana Republic brand names.

“Working with Inter Parfums allows Gap Inc. to lay the foundation for long-term growth of its personal care products,” said a press release from the specialty retailer. “Together, the two companies will translate Gap and Banana Republic brands’ personal care concepts into an assortment of products. Inter Parfums will be responsible for product development, formula creation, packaging and manufacturing. Gap Inc. will be responsible for marketing and selling in its stores.”

Although the initial line has not been finalized, potential products include fragrance and related personal care products. The new products, which will be sold in Gap and Banana Republic North American stores, are expected to launch at Banana Republic in the fall of 2006 and at Gap in 2007.

“Personal care products are a natural extension of our brands and represent an organic growth opportunity for our company,” said Gap president and ceo Paul Pressler. “Inter Parfums is an exceptionally creative company and has extensive expertise in building high-quality personal care products. Their ability to transform personal care concepts into products complements our core strengths in branding and marketing.”

Most of Inter Parfum’s sales come from prestige fragrances, including Burberry, Celine, Christian Lacroix, Lanvin, Diane von Furstenberg, Paul Smith and S.T. Dupont. It also sells moderately priced perfumes and low-priced imitations of high-end perfumes. In addition, it sells personal care products and cosmetics, including Aziza eye makeup (under license from London-based consumer products giant Unilever) and has a majority stake in men’s skincare company Nickel. Customers include department stores, mass merchandisers, and drugstore chains.

“Gap and Banana Republic are among the world’s most well-known brands with strong ties to their customers and a strong network of stores,” said Inter Parfums chairman and ceo Jean Madar. “We are looking forward to working together to create a portfolio of fresh and exciting product lines.”