Forest Essentials is an Indian cosmetics, skincare and perfume company that specialises in Ayurvedic preparations for its products. It was founded in 2000 by Mira Kulkarni in New Delhi, India.[1]

Forest Essentials
Company typePrivate
IndustryWellness, Cosmetics
Founded2000; 24 years ago (2000)
FounderMira Kulkarni
Headquarters,
Area served
Key people
Samrath Bedi, Managing Director
RevenueUS$4 million
Number of employees
135 (2018)
WebsiteOfficial website

History edit

Mira Kulkarni started the business in 2000 with an investment of Rs.2 lakhs, then only selling handmade soaps and candles.[2] The business expanded after the Delhi hotel Hyatt Regency ordered the soaps for their rooms.[3] In 2005–2006, the company posted sales of Rs.6 crore.

Business edit

In 2008, the New York-based Estée Lauder Companies acquired a 20% stake in the company, and in October 2021, the brand announced entering the United Kingdom by opening 12 retail stores.[4] Kulkarni's son Samrath Bedi currently serves as the managing director of the company.[5][6]

The company has 130 Forest Essentials Stores in India, supplies to 190 hotels and export to 120 countries.[7] The factories are in Haridwar and Lodsi in Tehri Garhwal district, Uttarakhand.

Forest Essentials sells natural, organic and Ayurvedic cosmetics and has a policy of not testing their products on animals.[8][failed verification]

In November 2022, Forest Essentials opened its first standalone store in Covent Garden, London which would become the brand's first international store.[9]

References edit

  1. ^ "Estée Lauder's dream girl". fortuneindia.com. 9 November 2014.
  2. ^ Nanditta Chibber (June 2006). "How Forest Essentials was born, and grew". Business Standard News. Retrieved 2019-03-21.
  3. ^ "Deep rooted beauty: Mira Kulkarni, MD, Forest Essentials". The Economic Times. 2010-08-22. Retrieved 2019-03-21.
  4. ^ Varuni Khosla (2021-10-26). "Forest Essentials to open 12 stores in UK". Livemint.com. Retrieved 2022-04-05.
  5. ^ ""Understand your brand and stay true to it"- Business News". Businesstoday.in. 2015-11-08. Retrieved 2019-03-21.
  6. ^ https://www.bloomberg.com/research/stocks/private/person.asp?personId=49594763&privcapId=46893746&previousCapId=46893746&previousTitle=Mountain%20Valley%20Springs%20India%20Private%20Limited [dead link]
  7. ^ "Meet The Fabulous Women Behind These Homegrown Brands We Absolutely Love". HuffPost India. 19 January 2017. Retrieved 2019-03-21.
  8. ^ "'No animal test' rule to apply to imported cosmetics too". Business Line. 2018-03-12. Retrieved 2019-03-21.
  9. ^ "Beauty brand Forest Essentials opens its first store in UK". FashionNetwork. Retrieved December 26, 2022.

External links edit