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Corporate Social Responsibility
News
4.28.2008 - 12:50pm ET
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Organic Style Ltd. acquires Bed & Bath pioneer Coyuchi, Inc.
Organic Style Ltd – a rapidly growing eco-lifestyle company with e-commerce, wholesale and media divisions – purchases Coyuchi, Inc., a premium Organic and Fair Trade bed & bath brand
(CSRwire) SAN RAFAEL, CA - April 28, 2008 - 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://www.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
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