Perfume-make-up retailer Gabriel smells sweet to investors

The biggest network of perfume-cosmetics franchising shops in Poland, Kielce-based Gabriel is searching for a new financial investor. "Soon we will have at our disposal 67 shops owned by our franchisees. Additionally, we are planning to open 15 shops and within five years the number will hopefully reach 300 shops," said Gabriel vice-president Marek Ulewicz. Such plans require a large financial input and the company intends to invest around zl. 20 million. To attract a financial investor, Gabriel plans to issue shares off the bourse. As reported by Ulewicz, three entities are interested in investing in the company. "I cannot disclose the names of the investors. What I can only say is that they are companies with foreign capital registered in Poland," said Ulewicz. Gabriel distributes such cosmetics as Matis, Revlon, Diesel and Columbus. (Puls Biznesu, page 5)