Dust+Cream Targets International Expansion with €4.5M Investment Plan

Dust+Cream is setting its sights on international expansion by 2025, according to Leandros Karakatsanis, Chairman and Managing Director of CREAM TEAM ABEE, which operates the Greek cosmetics chain. During a press tour at the company’s offices in Thessaloniki, Karakatsanis outlined an investment plan worth €4-4.5 million for 2025-2026. This plan includes energy upgrades to facilities, relocation and expansion of modern production spaces, office renovations, and purchases of new machinery and production lines. The strategy also emphasizes digital investments, such as logistics infrastructure upgrades, cloud systems, production automation, and laboratory equipment acquisitions. Additionally, the company plans to create another product line under a different brand to expand into broader consumer channels. Financial Director Panagiotis Kleidopoulos noted that they aim to invest in new sales channels through wholesale, creating a business unit trading brands outside Dust+Cream. Despite strategic decisions not to expand into pharmacies or shop-in-shop supermarket formats, collaborations continue for private label products with major retailers like Market In and Discount. Discussions are underway with other chains like Masoutis and My Market. Dust+Cream already has a presence at Macedonia Airport and is exploring retail points at Eleftherios Venizelos and regional airports. Revenue growth in 2024 was up 7% compared to 2023, reaching €16.5 million, marking an 11% increase from 2022. Sales for 2024 hit €17.7 million, with forecasts predicting double-digit sales growth nearing €20 million in 2025. Mixed profits reached €9.9 million, while debt stood at €4.3 million by the end of 2024. Established in 2000 in Thessaloniki, Cream Team opened its first franchise store in Kalamata in 2012. It now operates a network of 87 stores across Greece and Cyprus, including franchise and corporate-owned locations, alongside two eshops. The company holds a 10% market share in specialized beauty shops and 3% overall, attracting over 400,000 monthly customers. The factory produces 3.5 million items annually on one production line but has the capacity to produce up to 4.5 million with an additional line. Around 77% of sold products bear the Dust+Cream brand, with the remaining 23% being exclusive foreign brands.