Global Achievements: A collection of best Success Stories of Retail SMEs in International Markets – Belgium
MARMA – a family business since 1995
Category – Key words
Family business, Belgium, organic, ecological
Who?
Organic and ecological products, 17 employees, Tienen (Flemish region), 1995
Website
Abstract
Belgian specialist in organic and ecological products. Since 1995, they have been a family business that puts nature, you and their partners, at the centre of its attention. They make every effort to ensure that this family character extends to the entire company. That is why all employees are involved in the development of Marma, each person in each department has their own responsibilities. Every day, they strive to provide their partners with the best service. They will advise you on the choice of your assortment, making it as dynamic and complete as possible so that your customers can enjoy their visit to your shelves. In the last past years, they have achieved a range of over 5,000 products that sells internationally. These range from food products to cleaning products, non-food products and care products. They offer their own quality brands, their ‘house brands’, as well as a range of exclusive and private labels.
Results achieved
They offer combined deliveries to different countries. Marma has a multi-temperature park, so the cold chain is not broken, and the quality of all products remains optimal! The fact that they deliver dry, (ultra) fresh and frozen products and it is also quite unique because of its good supply chain management.
Tips to replicate:
Ensure good quality assurance.
High specialization of the company.
Revolt – RE-THINK, RE-VISIT, RE-VOLT
Category – Key words
Light & interior landscaping, Belgium
Who?
Light & interior landscaping, 37 employees, Oostende
Website
Abstract
They are a blend of craftsmen & creatives passionate about light & interior landscaping, drawing on many years of experience. In doing so, they favor the kind of slow that lasts & expands time over the fast that fades. Revolt assumes authenticity is the purest form of beauty, and truth the long-term currency of their day. In that spirit we create true, authentic objects that last and brighten up (y)our world. They deliver every product to many different countries due to its success within a short period of time.
Results achieved
Creating authentic designs with original pieces combining new trends with an exquisite taste for the old, which makes them distinguish themselves from their competitors all over the world.
Tips to replicate:
Provide a great customer service compared to the competition examining the needs of each different market they are selling to.
A reduction of the employee turnover and an increasement of satisfaction.
Lolaliza – Celebrating women since 2001
Category – Key words
Retail, fashion, Belgium, women
Who?
Retail and Fashion, Around 1000 employees, Brussels, Belgium, Founded in 2001
Website
Abstract
LolaLiza started from a desire to indulge women of all ages with affordable fashion. That is how their 100% Belgian family-owned company, that exudes a pure lust for life, came into being. A strong international ambition and a focus on market evolution helps them continue to grow and explore new countries and segments. Lolaliza is a brand that is an expert in dresses, and that inspires women to be who they really want to be. Sexy, comfy, elegant, or simply extra festive – LolaLiza knows who women are and what they need. LolaLiza is a people driven, lively organization that is constantly on the lookout for new talent. In an open, entrepreneurial, multicultural, and inspiring environment they are able to deliver each and everyday thanks to its planification planning.
Results achieved
LolaLiza is the first Belgian to launch a brand of multiple size jeans. Your curves, they need to be celebrated! That’s why they created Shape of You, the first line of multiple size jeans in Belgium. Thanks to the exceptional elasticity (90 to 100%) and shape memory of the fabric, your feminine curves are always shown off to their best advantage.
Tips to replicate
Online shop adapted to client’s needs.
Seek for a dominating position in an international market
Jambo Collections – Luxurious eye catcher with a unique scent
Category – Key words
Fragance, exotic, smell, Belgium, scent
Who?
Jambo is specialised in exotic fragrances : Authentic fragrances, 21 employees, Bruges, Belgium
Website
https://jambocollections.com/en/
Abstract
Jambo’s authentic fragrances take you on a journey around the world. Their product lines are inspired by distant and exotic places with names that capture the imagination. The products combine an intense fragrance experience with an aesthetic luxurious object that adds value to the room it is in.
Jambo ensures a perfect harmony of smells and experiences. From natural fragrances that create a warm, cosy atmosphere with decorative objects that really suit the interior. They get our inspiration from all corners of the world. Jambo develop fragrances with renowned perfumers in the city of Grasse in the South of France, the epicentre of fragrance production. Together, they look for the right ingredients and elements to create luxurious fragrances with a unique character. Because making a great fragrance is a real work of art.
Results achieved
At Jambo, they work with natural raw materials and supplies as much as possible because they want to look after the environment, now more than ever. The lids on the diffusers are made out of wood, unlike any other home fragrance. For the bottles they use Italian designs and for the fragrance sticks, they use top quality rattan from Indonesia, having a good supply and caring about the environment.
Tips to replicate
Seek for a dominating position in the market.
Have a control over the production to guarantee availability of product.
Cycler – A fantastic sport that brings people together
Category – Key words
Cycling, Belgium, biking, professional
Who?
Cycler, professional cycling gear, Clothing and cycling gear, 25 employees, Ronse, Belgium. Founded in 2019.
Website
Abstract
Cycler is an online web shop aimed specifically at anyone with a passion for cycling, cyclocross or mountain biking. Unlike other web shops, Cycler offers both customised Teamwear of top Italian quality, and quality cycling products. This aligns with our goal to become the platform where anyone with a passion for cycling, cyclocross or mountain biking can shop freely at bargain prices.
Thanks to its internationalisation plan, the brand has sold thousand of products to different strategical markets all over the world.
Results achieved
The company manages the research, design, production, logistics and distribution of its products in house, partners with global suppliers. Thanks to its logistics, nowadays is a leading brand in the Belgian market.
Tips to replicate
Find a local and an international partner to guide you.
Have a control over the production and supply chain to guarantee the availability of product whenever the client demands it.
Curasano – Your natural self-tanner
Category – Key Words
Beauty, products, Belgium, self-care
Who?
Curasano, instant natural beauty products, Handling and distribution beauty products, 12 employees, Anzegem, Flemish Region. Founded in 2009.
Website
https://www.curasano.com/en/1/home.aspx
Abstract
Curasano’s mission is to develop products aimed at providing an improved feeling of well-being. They want to improve and enrich the lives of individuals by creating valuable and qualitative cosmetic and health products. With its range of natural products, they want to provide a healthy way to give your body and mind a beautiful and attractive aura.
Their products contain active ingredients based on natural ingredients, who offers immediate results thanks to the unique composition. They also sell effective products that can be used by anyone. Even if they are a little company, because of its exclusive and quality product, they still have a wide share of the market, including its international sales.
Results achieved
By 2020: 93% of new and refurbished branded products will be improved according to life cycle methodology.
Tips to replicate
Adaptation to seasonality
Network of own physical stores
Cerepharma – pharmaceutical laboratory
Category – Key Words
Clothes and accessories, Low-cost fashion, local production, franchise, Spain
Who?
CEREPHARMA, cosmeceutical products , Pharmaceutical laboratory, Hainaut, Belgium. Founded in 2011.
Website
Abstract
Pioneers and creators in the field of cosmeceuticals, Cerepharma combines highly concentrated and rigorously tested active ingredients with in-depth research into skin problems to offer scientifically proven high efficacy product ranges. Since its creation in 2011, a team of dermatologists, plastic surgeons and aestheticians decided to use their knowledge and practical experience in the field of high-performance cosmeceuticals.
Cerepharma’s global approach is to improve the skin with a focus on efficacy and maximum tolerance. Our specialists also focus extensively on research and development to meet the growing need for high quality niche products. Cerepharma Laboratories expertly develop products to combat the factors that can generate intrinsic and extrinsic skin ageing, a theme that is at the heart of our society today.
Results achieved
So far, Cerepharma is present in twelve countries with 39 stores. They offer a range of highly effective products adapted to the client’s needs. This site is intended only for cosmetic professionals with a VAT number. The products are only available to their approved partners, in order to allow partners to offer the products in your respective shops.
Tips to replicate
Model of the mix of franchises and own shops.
Count with external experts for advice.
PH Collection – The daily art of living
Category – Key Words
Furniture, home, accessories, Belgium, innovation
Who?
PH Collection , Home furniture and accessories designer. Wavre, Belgium. Founded in 1998.
Website
Abstract
Launched in 1998 by Babette Mourlon Beernaert and her children Gwendoline and Valéry, PH Collection’s vocation is to create harmonious, comfortable, and timeless living spaces. Craftsmanship and custom-made products remain the key words of a 100% European production.
Constantly in search of new materials, colours and shapes, the creators are developing the collection which is composed of tables, chairs, furniture, and lighting. With the objective of «the daily Art of living», PH Collection places its creations on a quest of well-being and contemporary spirit.
Over time, PH’s work has grown to become «haute couture» in its designs as well as in the selection of materials, finishes and fabrics. This passion is at the service of the clients and can be seen in developments realized in the mountains, at the sea or in the city.
Results achieved
The PH Collection Company has set out to promote its internationalization in order to reach for other potential countries. Thanks to its exclusive models, today they have one of the largest market shares in Belgium.
Tips to replicate
Seeking for international partners.
The golden vote to take decisions in critical situations.
Zoutman – Salt at your service
Category – Key Words
Salt, sea, Belgium, quality, food
Who?
Zoutman. Worldwide reference quality sea salt. Roeselare, Belgium. Around 200 employees, Founded in 1990.
Website
Abstract
ZOUTMAN, located in Roeselare and Ghent Sea port, is an independent salt producer. ZOUTMAN is specialized in refining sea salt for different applications: food salt, de-icing salt, salt for water softening, dishwasher salt, salt for agriculture, salt for animal feed, salt for technical applications, rine. The modern and well-equipped production unit processes sea salt (washing, centrifying, drying, grinding, screening, and packing) into finished products. ZOUTMAN produces tailor made in order to meet the customers’ needs in grain size, humidity and packaging. An internal and external laboratory guarantee the constant quality of the products. The logistics department provides fast and punctual deliveries worldwide.
Results achieved
Thanks to many investments, ZOUTMAN is now one of a small handful of producers who manage to offer high-quality sea salt at international scale (BRC, IFS, ISO 14001, Kosher-certified). Each year, the company ships out 300,000 to 450,000 tonnes to over 60 countries of destination across the globe.
Tips to replicate
Quality regarding competitivity prices
Network of own physical stores
Hurray – A passion for skateboarding
Category – Key Words
Distribution, Sales, 3PL, Retail, Marketing, Logistics and Warehousing
Who?
Hurray, Distribution company / agency. Vlaanderen, Belgium. 23 employees. Founded in 2014.
Website
Abstract
Hurray is a Belgian based agency, distribution, 3PL and retail company with a passion for skateboarding. With over 20 years of experience, Hurray offers a 360° service for both clients and customers. Their distribution expertise combined with our retail know-how, has led to a brand-new warehouse & showroom, 6 skate shops, skateshop.be and multiple events.
Results achieved
Together with a young passionate expanding team, they have opened doors to more related services, from marketing to sales support. They work with 27 different brands and 450 clients.
Hurray plays an important role in the logistics for foreign brands that want to expand their footprint in Europe, and many more who wants to start their own company.
Tips to replicate
Good distribution channels.
Caring customer experience. Word of mouth is very important.
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