COMPANY HISTORY
Tradition, growth, and commitment to quality since 1991
Our company began its journey in 1991, starting modestly in the trade of cosmetic products. At first, we worked closely with partners from Turkey and later North Macedonia, carefully building relationships that would help us grow. We started from a small retail location on Dibra Street, a place where we learned the ins and outs of customer service, product selection, and market dynamics. These early years laid the foundation for a structured, reliable, and influential presence in the Albanian market.
20+
Brands
$15.61bn
Net Sales for Fiscal Year 2024
~150
Countries & territories
where ELC products are sold
4
Major Product Categories
SOURCE: ELC FORM 10K 2024
We Are Brand-Led
Each of our 20+ brands has a unique perspective on luxury beauty, but they are united by a dedication to creating prestige products that are high-quality, boundary-pushing, and trusted favorites of our consumers.
Expansion and consolidation of commercial activity
By 1998, after several discussions and negotiations with international companies, we successfully signed our first major exclusivity contract with the well-known UNILEVER, headquartered in Romania. This was a pivotal moment for us, as it allowed our company to become the exclusive distributor of UNILEVER’s detergent and cosmetic products throughout Albania. This contract not only expanded our product portfolio but also boosted our trade activities and revenues significantly. To support this growth, we invested in transport vehicles and logistics infrastructure, which enabled us to deliver products efficiently to retail units across the entire country. These investments were key in strengthening our brand presence and ensuring that our products reached customers reliably.
Portfolio diversification – New strategic partnerships
In 2004, we entered into an important collaboration with GABRINI, a renowned cosmetics brand. As our product range expanded, so did our distribution fleet. We developed a system where dedicated vehicles were permanently assigned to different zones across Albania, allowing us to serve retailers and customers faster and more efficiently. This approach made a noticeable difference in how quickly our products could reach the market, and it allowed us to respond to customer needs more effectively.
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Over the years, we continued to expand our portfolio by forming partnerships with additional trusted brands:
- XL Energy Drink (2006) – we became the exclusive distributor for the entire Albanian territory, bringing an international energy drink brand closer to local consumers.
- Fonex (2007) – adding this personal care brand allowed us to provide even more variety and quality products to our customers.
- Ultra Compact (2007) – this partnership brought household and personal care products to a wider market, helping us cover more everyday needs.
- Smart Vilo (2010) – our collaboration introduced high-quality household cleaning products to Albanian homes, improving everyday life for our customers.
- Sir & Lenor (2012) – we strengthened our presence in the laundry and household cleaning segment, offering products that make daily chores easier and more effective.
- SoftFlower (2013) – the introduction of hygiene products expanded our reach in essential home care.
- Parex (2016) – distributing these cleaning accessories allowed us to diversify further and respond to growing customer demands.
- Babaria (2017) – this partnership brought prestigious Spanish cosmetics to Albania, emphasizing natural ingredients and quality that our customers value.
Each of these partnerships has been carefully selected to complement our existing range and meet the evolving needs of our customers. Our approach has always been to combine quality, reliability, and accessibility, ensuring that our products are available wherever they are needed.
Exclusive partnerships and market expansion – Year 2006
In 2006, the company further strengthened its position in the market through the exclusive representation of several international brands:
KRAS – exclusive distributor of Croatian-origin food products in Albania.
XL Energy Drink – official distributor for the Albanian territory.
These partnerships enabled the establishment of a structured and wide-reaching distribution network, serving all retail units, perfumeries, and pharmacies throughout the country.
Expansion into specialized sectors – Pharmaceuticals & Perfumery (2007–2008)
In November 2007, the company began the exclusive distribution of Vichy dermocosmetic products, specifically within the pharmacy sector, in accordance with pharmaceutical distribution standards and protocols.
In 2008, the company secured representation of a prestigious Italian perfumery brand for the Albanian market, with the opening of an exclusive store in City Park Shopping Center. The store was designed to offer a curated selection of world-renowned, original luxury perfume brands.
OUR VISION AND COMMITMENT
Throughout our journey, we have always operated in full compliance with Albanian laws and the standards set by our international partners.
Our strategic objective is to continually meet the demands of the Albanian market by:
Expanding our product range to cover more categories and needs;
Ensuring the highest quality of service at every step;
Introducing new products, innovations, and international trends to the local market.
We are committed to sustainable growth, building strong, long-term relationships with our clients, partners, and the wider community. Every decision we make is guided by our commitment to quality, trust, and customer satisfaction.
Our People
As a global organization, we know that our employees’ diverse skills and backgrounds allow us to deliver innovative prestige beauty products and experiences to consumers all over the world. Across regions, brands, and functions, we encourage individuals to think like entrepreneurs, and we cultivate the next generation of leaders through continuous learning and experiential development opportunities. To learn about how you can join our talented employees around the world, visit our Careers page.
62K
Employees Worldwide
80%
Women Worldwide
60%
Women in Vice President Positions & Above
AS OF JUNE 30, 2024; SOURCE: ELC FORM 10K 2024
Our Operations
We push ourselves to have a positive impact within
Our global vision and local knowledge enable us to deliver best-in-class beauty products to consumers all over the world. We sell products in approximately 150 countries and territories, with affiliate offices in 50+ countries and regions. Our key regions are the Americas; Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA); the U.K. and Ireland; Asia/Pacific (APAC); and Mainland China.
We strive to meet our consumers where they are, delivering a seamless and exceptional shopping experience across our retail channels, including in-store environments, online shopping, and travel retail.
our business and the communities we touch, with a focus on women’s advancement, product sustainability, representation, and climate and the environment. Learn more about our impact.
Our Heritage
Our purpose is to put the power of possibility in the palm of every hand—an approach to business inspired by our visionary founder, Mrs. Estée Lauder, who believed in the infinite possibilities within all of us. An entrepreneur who embodied hard work and gumption, Estée launched the company in 1946 with her husband, Joseph Lauder, and ELC’s success is a testament to her instinct for knowing what women wanted, her skill as a saleswoman, and her courage to defy the conventions of her time.
For more than 75 years, ELC has benefited from the Lauder family’s demonstrated dedication and commitment to its long-term success.
Learn more about our history and the story of Mrs. Estée Lauder.
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