African Sales Company
What does African Sales Company do?
African Sales Company is a privately owned company which operates across three commercial pillars, namely distribution, retail and communication. The core pillar is as a distributor of leading international fine fragrance and cosmetic brands within Southern and Sub-Saharan Africa. We hold the sole distribution licences to represent various leading brands in the region.
Are African Sales Company and ASCO the same thing?
Yes, they are. The acronym “ASCO” stands for African Sales Company.
How long has the company been around?
African Sales Company was established in 1937. We look forward to our centenary in 2037.
What products does the company distribute?
Our core business of distribution is in fine fragrance and cosmetic products. We are also the distributors of Jiffy Steamer in Southern and Sub-Saharan Africa, and our Homewares business distributes our a unique collection of silverware and glassware, various décor goods and various items of fashion accessories, such as scarves, shawls, pashminas and pareos.
Does African Sales Company own the brands it represents?
Not with regards to fine fragrances and cosmetics, and Jiffy Steamer. We are the official distributors of these brands which we represent, providing market access to Southern and Sub-Saharan Africa.
For Homewares, we are the owners of the products we supply – we source and have goods manufactured particular to our specifications for our clients.
Does African Sales Company manufacture any of the products it distributes?
Yes, only for Decorware products. All other products are imported directly from our Principal Suppliers.
Which countries does the African Sales Company Trade in?
We are represented in the following countries in South African Customs Union (SACU):
- South Africa
- Botswana
- Lesotho
- Namibia
- Swaziland
and through Nuance-SSA in Sub-Saharan Africa:
- Angola
- Mozambique
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
- Kenya
- Tanzania
- Uganda
- Nigeria
Who do you offer your services to
We offer our services to Principal Suppliers and directly to brands in the luxury, fine fragrance and cosmetics industry.
Where is the Africa Sales Company located?
Our head office is located in Midrand, Johannesburg. We also have regional offices in the Western Cape (Cape Town), KwaZulu-Natal (Durban), the Eastern Cape (Port Elizabeth), Namibia (Windhoek) and Botswana (Gaborone).
Nuance Sub-Saharan Africa
How is Nuance-SSA different to African Sales Company?
Nuance – SSA is our trading company for our business expansion into Sub-Saharan Africa, currently trading in Angola, Mozambique, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Nigeria.
VENDOME
How is Vendome different to African Sales Company?
Vendome exclusively represents the interests of PCDO – Parfum Christian Dior Orient FZCO – in South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho and Swaziland.
African Sales Company is the founding and holding company which directs our business operations in South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia and Swaziland.
What brands or products does Vendome represent?
Vendome exclusively represents the interest of Parfum Christian Dior Orient FZCO – i.e. Parfum Christian Dior’s Affiliate in United Arab Emirates.
Jiffy
Skins Cosmetics
Velvet Luxe
Learn more about Velvet Luxe via the official website.
Color Café
Learn more about Color Café via the official website.
Principal Suppliers
What is a "Principal Supplier"
A Principal Supplier is a term used to describe a company which owns brands or holds the licences for brands owned by (Fashion/Celebrity) Houses – this includes manufacturing their products or goods, defining marketing strategies, managing global operations, and selecting distributors, like African Sales Company, to represent the interests of their brands in world markets.
What is an "Affiliate"?
An Affiliate is a term used to describe a domestic subsidiary belonging to a Principal Supplier.
What brands or products does Vendome represent?
Vendome exclusively represents the interest of Parfum Christian Dior Orient FZCO – i.e. Parfum Christian Dior’s Affiliate in United Arab Emirates.
Why would a principal supplier choose to use African Sales Company?
First and foremost, we are African, proud of our roots, offering a unique service and value, with market access as a distributor into Southern and Sub-Saharan Africa.
Our track record proves integrity, transparency, competence, developed trade relationships, and dedication to the category of fine fragrances and cosmetics. Our brand and product management services and the value to our Principal Suppliers include the entire go-to-market process. We offer highly specialised sales, marketing, training, display, business intelligence, and supply chain logistics.
Brands
Brands
Which brands do you represent?
- 4711
- Antonio Banderas
- Baldessarini
- black|Up Paris
- Calvin Klein
- Carolina Herrera
- Cartier
- Chloé
- Christian Dior
- Comme des Garçons
- Diptyque
- Disney (various brands in the franchise)
- Escada
- Givenchy
- Gucci
- Hugo Boss
- Jean Paul Gaultier
- Joop!
- Kenzo
- Lacoste
- Lottie London
- Marc Jacobs
- Missoni
- Molton Brown
- Olay
- Paco Rabanne
- Prada
- Quorum
- Roberto Cavalli
- Salvatore Ferragamo
- Stella McCartney
- Tabac
- Colors de Benetton
- Uriage
- Versace
- Jiffy Steamer
Does African Sales Company represent all product lines of the brands it represents (e.g. fragrance and fashion wear)?
No, we don’t. We represent the fine fragrance and cosmetics lines of the brands we distribute.
If I have a problem with a product of a brand you represent, how can I sort that out?
All the products of the brands that we represent carry factory guarantees and warranties, each specific to their international standards and policies.
If you have any problems with any products purchased from Authorised Resellers, please Contact Us to assist you with your queries or concerns.
Please note that goods purchased through unauthorised resellers (i.e. if they’re grey imports or counterfeits) will not be covered by the brands guarantees and warranties.
Becoming a Client
How do I become a client of African Sales Company?
We have various processes and criterion for us to represent brands on behalf of clients. If you are interested in becoming a client, please contact us via our Become a Client page, where we can assist with more information and any related queries.
If I am looking for representation and I represent a local brand, will African Sales Company consider working with us?
Yes, we would.
Authorised Resellers
Authorised Resellers
If I’m not sure a store is authorised, how can I check with you to make sure?
Applying To Resell
How do I become an Authorised Reseller?
We follow a selective distribution model and carefully explore sales opportunities for retail chains and independent outlets in our category. In the best interests of the brands which we represent, we ensure that these luxury brands are listed with Authorised Resellers that comply with the set criteria particular to each brand.
For more information about this, please contact us via our Applying to Resell page.
Can I become an Authorised Reseller if I only have an online store?
Online retailers must adhere to the general category requirements, the main of which is to have fixed premises retail as a base requisite. This means you are required to have a brick and mortar retail store authorised to sell our brands first, in order to be considered to then sell them online.
Grey Imports & Counterfeit Goods
What is the difference between grey imported and counterfeit goods?
Grey is the trade of goods through distribution channels that are legal but unintended by the original manufacturer – i.e. without the authorisation of the brand owner or the authorised representative of that brand in that country. Because they are imported without the control measures to ensure quality, they are not covered by manufacturers’ guarantees and warranties.
Counterfeit goods are illegal and are replicas or knockoffs of the original product. They are produced with the intent to take advantage of the superior value of the imitated product. Counterfeit goods have a reputation for being lower quality and may even include toxic elements. Dealing in counterfeit products is a criminal offense.
How do I know if I have purchased a grey or counterfeit good?
Grey imported goods are often difficult to identify, because they are the original products. The law requires that consumers be told by these grey import resellers that the products have been imported without the approval or licence of the registered owner of that trademark.
Counterfeit goods are usually easier to identify. They often are especially bad replicas; not showcasing the quality expected that original product or the packaging, and often includes the deliberate misspelling of the brand or product name, using a similar style or design.
Where can I report grey import or counterfeit goods of the brands you represent being sold?
To report grey imported or counterfeit products of the brands which we represent, you can do so via our Southern Africa page. You may also report suspected counterfeit products directly to the National Consumer Commission.
Grey Imports & Counterfeit Goods
Careers at African Sales Company
Where can I find out about open positions or submit my CV for consideration?
We’re always on the lookout for talented people to join our unique company. You can easily view what positions are available and submit your CV quickly and easily via our Careers section.
What is African Sales Company’s B-BBEEE policy?
African Sales Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to inclusion and diversity. We understand the importance of building a better future for all races and genders.
B-BBEEE is an integral driver of economic and social transformation in South Africa. We assist with individual empowerment through studies and training, and are committed to align our business in the workplace and in society with the national transformation agenda and national demographics.
Counterfeit goods are usually easier to identify. They often are especially bad replicas; not showcasing the quality expected that original product or the packaging, and often includes the deliberate misspelling of the brand or product name, using a similar style or design.
What types of positions are available at African Sales Company?
We have three broad categories of positions available at African Sales Company: head office, sales & marketing and in-store. To learn more about positions are available for each, please see our Careers section for full details.