Australian Bodycare takes on spa brand Phytomer

French spa skincare brand Phytomer has left the Skincare Sanctuary stable to come under the distribution of Australian Bodycare UK.

From yesterday (April 2) the brand is being distributed by Australian Bodycare and the company has vowed to return it to full strength in the UK.

Australian Bodycare general manager Annette Close said: "We want to get back to the position it was in ten years ago when it was one of the top UK spa brands."

Phytomer was founded 40 years ago in Brittany, France, and is currently distributed in the UK by the Skincare Sanctuary, which also houses Gatineau and Mary Cohr.

Skincare Sanctuary managing director Andrew Bagley added: "Gatineau is our core brand and we want to focus on that and give it the growth it deserves."

Phytomer sales and training manager Nicola Simmons has moved over to Australian Bodycare in the same role in a bid to create a smooth transition for existing accounts. Close said Australian Bodycare will focus on getting Phytomer into areas of the country where it has little presence, such as London, the Midlands and Manchester.

"People know it as a spa company but we are definitely targeting salons as well," she added. "It started as a body range but has a strong face offer now."

The brand is relaunching with a new ultra-hydrating polarised water serum called Hydrasea and a new facial will follow in June.

Australian Bodycare, which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, is currently in 5,500 UK accounts, giving the company a strong basis through which to grow Phytomer.