Turnover: 2.96 million EUR (2020)

Country: France

  • Compagnie Coloniale is France's oldest tea brand.
  • It was founded in Paris in 1848 by the Méric family. In 2010, it was bought by Vincent Balaÿ, who is still CEO today.
  • The company is best known for its "Chine Extra" tea, created for the 1937 Universal Exhibition.
  • In 2017, it had almost 500 points of sale throughout France.

december 12, 2019 - 10 years of renewal - source(La Nouvelle République)

  • Vincent Balaÿ has taken over a factory that has seen 3 buyers in 10 years
  • In 2019, internet sales accounted for 8% of sales
  • Opening up to the Korean market

march 6, 2017 - Vincent Balaÿ, "the same phenomenon is happening in tea as in wine and whisky" - source(Les Echos)

  • The company aims to take advantage of double-digit market growth
  • Moving upmarket
  • New packaging
  • 2/3 of sales are generated by around 50 products out of 160 available
  • Best-seller: Chine Extra
  • Compagnie Coloniale" teas can be found not only on TGV trains, but also in 450 upmarket outlets such as delicatessens and bakeries
  • 2015: unsuccessful IPO
  • The company recently raised one million euros in capital
  • The brand is already distributed in Japan, Germany, the Benelux countries and soon in Italy

2010: acquisition of the company by Vincent Balaÿ(La nouvelle République)

Studies mentioning this company

The tea market - France

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  • Le Palais des Thés
  • Pages Infusions
  • Les jardins de Gaïa (MAKA)
  • Herbissima
  • Thés de la Pagode
  • Comptoirs Richard
  • SCOP-TI
  • George Cannon
  • La Route des Comptoirs
  • La compagnie coloniale
  • Betjeman & Barton
  • Comptoir Francais du thé
  • JDE France (Jacobs Douwe Egberts)
  • Lipton (Unilever)
  • Tetley
  • Twinings Foods International
  • Yogi Tea
  • La Tisanière
  • Les 2 Marmottes
  • Thés Éléphant (Scoop TI)
  • Etienne Coffee & Shop
  • Unilever Groupe
  • Nestlé Groupe
  • Maison Bourgeon
  • Ethiquable
  • Dammann Frères (Illy Group)
  • Maison Lagrange
  • Coffea
  • Ecotone Groupe (Alter Eco, Bjorg, Bonneterre)
  • Mariage Frères
  • Orientis - Løv Organic