The Aquarelle.com Group is a French ecommerce company specialising in flower delivery. Based in the Paris suburb of Levallois-Perret, the organization is privately owned and led by the founders, Henri and François de Maublanc.
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/68/Logo_officiel_de_Aquarelle.png/220px-Logo_officiel_de_Aquarelle.png)
Overview
[edit]In 1987, brothers Henri de Maublanc and François de Maublanc opened the first Aquarelle flower shop in Paris. Over the next 10 years, they built up a network of 22 fully owned shops throughout France. In 1997, the brothers launched Aquarelle.com as an online flower delivery service. Unlike other similar flower delivery services such as Fleurop-Interflora who rely on local florists for the design and delivery of the flowers, Aquarelle design and make their own compositions in their workshops in Brasseuse[1][2] and use the French express postal service for delivery. Today, the Aquarelle.com Group employs around 120 people[3] and their online activities have almost completely displaced the offline business. Of the 22 shops in place at their peak, only the Paris and Rennes shops remain.[4]
Activities
[edit]Initially specialising in flowery delivery, Aquarelle began expanding its range in 2005:
- Flowers (since 1997)[5]
- Flowers and chocolates (since 2005)
- Flowers and gift boxes (since 2009)
- Flowers and scented candles (since 2012)
International
[edit]Through partnerships and subsidiaries, Aquarelle.com Group offers similar services in the following countries:[6]
- France: www.aquarelle.com
- Belgium and Luxembourg: www.aquarelle.be
- Netherlands: www.aquarelle.nl
- Germany: www.aquarelle.de
- United Kingdom: www.aquarelle.co.uk
- Spain: www.aquarelle.es
- the United States : www.odealarose.com[7][8][9]
In partnership with 123fleurs, the Aquarelle Group offers worldwide services: www.123fleurs.com[10]
Fair trade
[edit]Since 12 April 2016, alongside Système U, the roses delivered by Aquarelle.com in France are certified Fair trade/Max Havelaar.[11][12][13]
Sponsoring
[edit]Aquarelle has been primary sponsor for several skippers including Simoné Bianchetti and Yannick Bestaven for major events such as Vendée Globe,[14] the Solidaire du Chocolat, the Mini Transat,[15][16] and Transat Jacques Vabre. Yannick Bestaven won the Jacques Vabre Class40 in 2011.[17] Aquarelle also sponsors classical music festivals in Deauville, France – both the “Festival de Pâques“ and the August Festival.
.brand TLD
[edit]Since 2014, Aquarelle.com Group operates the .aquarelle TLD.[18] Implementation started in 2016.
References
[edit]- ^ "Journal du Net".
- ^ "France 3". 2 September 2015.
- ^ "Edubourse".
- ^ "Usine Digitale".
- ^ "E-marketing". Archived from the original on 2016-06-10.
- ^ "JDN Listing".
- ^ "Ode à la Rose". Business Insider.
- ^ "JMC Investment".
- ^ "AlleyWatch". 14 January 2015.
- ^ "123Fleurs". 13 May 2015.
- ^ "FairTrade Max Havelaar". Archived from the original on 2017-08-01. Retrieved 2016-05-11.
- ^ "FairTrade Flowers". Les Echos. 12 April 2016.
- ^ "Bioaddict".
- ^ "Vendée Globe". Yacts and Yachting.
- ^ "Aquarelle.com wins the mini Transat". Yachting World. 30 October 2001.
- ^ "Curwen comes second to Aquarelle.com". Telegraph. 2 November 2001.
- ^ "Yannick Bestaven wins Jacques Vabre". Yachts and yachting.
- ^ "ICANN". ICANN.