Banking sources told The Times that the maker of natural beauty products is looking to increase its presence in China, where it already has thirty five shops.
Growing Asian presence
The France-based company also has an established presence in Japan where the Provencal origins of its products wield marketing magic. Sales in the country even exceed those in its French homeland.
Intimacy with the Asian markets is not the only reason why L'Occitane may want to list on the Hang Seng.
The Hong Kong market has fared significantly better than the major European stock exchanges in recent times losing only 3 per cent of its value since the beginning of the year.
L'Occitane will be keen to remain on the high growth path it has carved out over the last few years thanks to its focus on fast-growing sectors of the beauty industry.
Recent natural acquisition
To further propel its top-line growth the company bought neighbouring cosmetics company M&A Santé Beauté in January this year.
The acquired company also specializes in natural products and has achieved regular annual sales increases of more than 25 per cent in recent years and reported a turnover figure of €20.5m in 2007.
Coming under the wings of L'Occitane gives it access to a network of 1,000 stores in 60 countries.
L'Occitane also derives a large percentage of its sales revenue from the travel retail sector.
Last year the company expanded on its 28 duty free stores with openings in Buenos Aires and Costa Rica as well as in Los Angeles and San Francisco airports.
