Parfums de Coeur Is Now PDC Brands

The one-time knockoff king, Parfums de Coeur,  is now PDC Brands, which is billed as a new beauty and wellness company—34 years in the making. According to executives, PDC has built a portfolio of top beauty and personal care brands which hold leading market share positions in fine fragrance, specialty and adult bath, and first aid categories in the mass market.  Fueled by a combination of double-digit organic growth and strategic acquisitions, PDC Brands is rapidly evolving into a major beauty and personal care platform.

“PDC Brands has successfully transformed from a singularly-focused fragrance company, to a leading global purveyor of beauty and wellness brands and products,” says CEO of pdc brands James Stammer. “We plan to expand even further by investing in our current brands as well as adding new and unique brands and products to our portfolio via acquisition.”

Founded in 1981 as a knockoff fragrance company with Designer Imposters, PDC Brands has doubled sales and profits since joining forces with Boston based private-equity firm, Yellow Wood Partners in late 2012. PDC Brands' annual global retail sales are estimated at over $300 million and the company expects to double again by year-end 2017. PDC's products are sold in over 40 markets globally, and the company has plans for further international expansion. PDC Brands' portfolio holds over a 40% unit share of the women's mass-market fine fragrance category and over a 30% unit share of men's mass-market fragrance category, according to Nielsen data for the year ended Nov. 1, 2014. The company's most recent acquisition, Dr Teal's has turned into its fastest growing brand, increasing at a rate of more than 50% since being acquired in early 2014, according to Nielsen. Additionally, PDC Brands has a leading position in the specialty bath category with Calgon, an iconic brand known for its 'Take Me Away' tagline.

In addition to investments and acquisitions, PDC Brands' priority is to continue connecting their products with consumers to fuel organic growth. “We are constantly seeking new ways to cultivate consumer connections for our brands,” says Vice President of Marketing for PDC Brands, Jessica Donoghue. “We are focusing on strategic media partnerships and social advocacy programs that we know will directly influence our consumers.”

In mid-February, PDC opened its new corporate headquarters in Stamford, Connecticut to accommodate its growing business and team.