L’Occitane – The Sweet Smell of Sustainability
The first time I noticed L’Occitane was when I lived in France for the year… I was attracted to the branding, the smell and the products. Moving back to Toronto in 2003, I was happy to see that a L’Occitane store had opened near me. Then, 10 years later, I had the strongest connection with the brand. I brought my young daughter to the store and she was in fragrance heaven. She loved smelling and sorting all the soaps and trying the hand lotion…and I certainly appreciated that everything was natural 🙂
I often turn to L’occitane to buy gifts for friends or family. Last March, with ‘Style with Substance’ on my mind, I noticed an ad in the store that stated ‘Hands that give back’. The sales associate explained that it was promoting the L’Occitane Shea Butter initiative. The L’Occitane group have been working with women’s unions in Burkina Faso for decades to help build sustainable communities in the region. I was impressed and aimed to learn more.
As it was March and close to International Women’s Day , the sales associate pointed out a special Shea Butter soap made in Burkina Faso, where 100%* of the proceeds would be donated towards the construction and functioning of literacy centers for local women.
Upon looking at L’Occitane’s website – I quickly realized their strong committed to the environment and Corporate Social Responsibility. L’Occitane has been working diligently with their supply chain to meet their corporate sustainability requirements. In 2013 they received the “Coup de Coeur du jury” award for biodiversity from the French Ministry of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Energy at the business and environment awards. For more information, please check out their 2014 CSR report.
I hope you will join me in supporting L’Occitane. The gifts are always welcomed, beautifully wrapped and much appreciated. Quick bonus: They always give tons of samples without me even asking for it!
*Price of sale in stores, excluding tax, transportation fees and production.
