
ORGANIC STYLE LTD. ACQUIRES BED & BATH PIONEER COYUCHI, INC.
Date: Tuesday, May 06 @ 16:49:19 EDT Topic: Corporate Responsibility
Organic Style Ltd., the fast-growing eco-luxury internet retailer,
announced today the acquisition of Coyuchi, Inc., an eco-luxury brand
for premium Organic and Fair Trade cotton bed and bath products.
Founded in 1991 by Christine Nielson – who was recently named by Ode
Magazine as "a true environmental pioneer" – Coyuchi was the first
company to market high quality organic cotton bedding. Coyuchi
specializes in Certified Organic & Fair Trade bed linens, blankets,
towels, robes, sleepwear, baby clothing and home accessories, selling
in 300+ specialty retailers, spas and hotels, including the Hana Maui
Hotel, Post Ranch Inn and Triton Hotel (Kimpton Group).
Organic Style Ltd. is the newest venture of organic entrepreneur Gerald
Prolman, whose flagship floral brand, Organic Bouquet
(http://www.OrganicBouquet.com), pioneered the organic and sustainable
fresh cut-flower market segment of the $21+ billion U.S. floral and
horticultural market. In November 2007, Prolman launched the eco-luxury
shopping internet boutique, http://www.OrganicStyle.com, and in January
2008 resurrected Organic Style magazine
(http://www.OrganicStyleMag.com), originally published by Rodale Inc.
from 2001-2005.
"We believe in the mission of Coyuchi and their incredibly important
work bringing thousands of cotton farmers out of poverty in India,"
said Gerald Prolman, CEO of Organic Style Ltd. and Organic Bouquet Inc.
"We are extremely pleased to have Coyuchi join Organic Style as the
first acquisition as part of our expansion plans in the eco-luxury
products sector."
Global retail sales for organic cotton products (including apparel and
home furnishings) reached $1.1 billion in 2006, and are projected to
reach $6.8 billion in 2010 – a growth rate of over 550% – according to
the 2007 Organic Exchange Organic Cotton Report.
In 2008, Nielson expanded her company's commitment to environmental
sustainability and social justice, and began sourcing all cotton from
the Chetna Organic Growers Association, a non-governmental farmer
collective in central and eastern India. In just a few years, the
Chetna project has grown from supporting a few hundred farmers to
nearly 6,000, offering prices 50% higher than for conventional cotton,
where child labor is non-existent and farmers' organizations are
democratic and transparent.
"It is exciting to join forces with Organic Style Ltd., a company with
deep integrity and commitment to the well being of farm workers and the
environment," said Nielson. "Together, we'll be able to reach more
customers and spread the word about the importance of Organic farming
and Fair Trade practices.
Both companies are privately held, and terms of the acquisition were not released.
Organic Style is the umbrella brand for leading eco-luxury products
that uphold the well-being of the planet and humankind, including:
OrganicStyle.com (http://ww.OrganicStyle.com), an online eco-boutique;
Organic Bouquet (http://www.OrganicBouquet.com), America's pioneer of
organic and certified sustainably-grown flowers; Organic Style Magazine
(http://www.OrganicStyle.com/magazine); Coyuchi
(http://www.Coyuchi.com), America's leading organic and fair trade
brand for premium bed and bath products; and Ecoflowers.com
(http://www.ecoflowers.com), the wholesale floral division serving
upscale retailers, hotels, spas and florists.
Editors – additional resources:
Video – Coyuchi cotton growing in India:
www.OrganicStyle.com/coyuchivideo Organic Style Magazine: Feature on
Coyuchi:
www.organicstylemag.com/organicstyle/2008winter/?pg=17&pm=1&u1=friend
Ode Magazine profile of Christine Nielson:
www.odemagazine.com/exchange/780/christine_nielson_a_true_environmental_pioneer
Profile of Organic Style and Prolman:
www.organicprocessing-digital.com/organicprocessing/20080304/?u1=printsubemail&folio=58
SOURCE: Organic Style Ltd.
CONTACT: Michael Straus,
Organic Style Ltd.
(415) 777-1170 x 302, Michael@StrausCom.com
WEB SITE:
http://www.OrganicBouquet.com
http://www.OrganicStyle.com
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