Sophie Paris, a fashion label created by French businessman Bruno Hasson in 1995, is targeting USD15 million (RM 47.1 million) in sales by the end of this year after launching its first flagship store in Petaling Jaya yesterday.
The brand’s Managing Director for Malaysia, Geoffrey Bagot said they aim to register 22,000 members in the next 12 months through its multi-level marketing (MLM) concept, which is touted to be the first of its kind in domestic market.
Having established a strong foothold in Indonesia, Vietnam, Morocco, and the Philippines, Bagot said the new 9000 sq ft shop cum corporate office will first carry products suitable for the local market.
“We will start with handbags that are below RM200 and can go as low as RM40,” he said.
“Besides, we produce new catalogue every 40 days,” he (above, left) added.
Hasson said Sophie Paris differs from other French brands as it is selling the products based on catalogues and stockists.
“Also we can’t find a direct competitor in the market because other fashion MLM companies are all focused on cosmetic products,” he said.
The company, which has its headquarters in Jakarta, was Hasson’s brainchild when he travelled to Indonesia after finishing his engineering degree.
“I wanted to do business, and I was wondering what I could sell to the Indonesian people. I came from France, so obviously fashion is something I should capitalise on,” he said.
17 years later, his company now records USD 100mil sales with nine umbrella brands under its belt.
The network marketing system is designed in a way that every entry level member will earn 20 percent of the retail profit of the products.
The member will then get a range of 3 to 6 percent of personal bonus if he or she hits a sales target.
The bonus will snowball to 21 percent if the member is promoted to be an executive manager.