The third-largest European provider of ready-to-wear clothing for children opened 31 stores in France 2015. Founded in Montpellier by a Montpellier local, the company received the Entrepreneur Prize in 2015 and is planning to open even more new stores in 2016. Orchestra is without a doubt one Montpellier’s greatest economic successes.
The company’s story began just twenty years ago. Chantal and Pierre Mestre, who had both worked in the textile industry, created a clothing brand for children. They started in Montpellier and have continually grown the company from its original roots. Pierre Mestre was born in Montpellier’s La Paillade district and pursued his entire education in the city.
Orchestra first opened small stores as subsidiaries, then began to develop the franchise in 1999. In 2006, the concept migrated sales outlets towards city outskirts, where larger “Grand Orchestra” stores offered both more products and more services. At the same time, the brand began to expand internationally.
2012 was an important year, with the group uniting all of its administrative and logistics activities at a new site created in nearby Saint-Aunès, where several hundred people now work. 2012 was also the year when the group acquired the Prémaman brand, after having already acquired the Swiss chain, Babycare. Orchestra’s expertise enabled the company to open the first megastore for childcare, maternity, and children’s fashion in France.
Today, the company leads a network of 551 points of sale, and 124 franchise stores, representing a total of 2,400 employees.
Its growth continues year after year. In 2015, the brand opened 31 stores in France, and is currently planning to open 17 megastores in France in 2016. Today, its annual sales revenue exceeds 513 M€, with a goal to reach one billion euros by 2019.
Orchestra’s success is based several factors, including its collections, which are not only updated frequently, but which are also different from store to store, as each store chooses its own selection from among the 3,500 articles offered each season. Other factors include low costs and, since 2009, a loyalty card that offers clients permanent advantages. Three million people now use the card worldwide.
Born into a family that owned vineyards, Pierre Mestre also acquired the Verchant winery and vineyards in Castelnau-le-Lez. He transformed the domain into a luxury hotel just minutes from central Montpellier. Verchant was awarded its fifth star in 2010, the first distinction of this level in the region.
Find out more:
- Orchestra
Orchestra first opened small stores as subsidiaries, then began to develop the franchise in 1999. In 2006, the concept migrated sales outlets towards city outskirts, where larger “Grand Orchestra” stores offered both more products and more services. At the same time, the brand began to expand internationally.
2012 was an important year, with the group uniting all of its administrative and logistics activities at a new site created in nearby Saint-Aunès, where several hundred people now work. 2012 was also the year when the group acquired the Prémaman brand, after having already acquired the Swiss chain, Babycare. Orchestra’s expertise enabled the company to open the first megastore for childcare, maternity, and children’s fashion in France.
Today, the company leads a network of 551 points of sale, and 124 franchise stores, representing a total of 2,400 employees.
Its growth continues year after year. In 2015, the brand opened 31 stores in France, and is currently planning to open 17 megastores in France in 2016. Today, its annual sales revenue exceeds 513 M€, with a goal to reach one billion euros by 2019.
Orchestra’s success is based several factors, including its collections, which are not only updated frequently, but which are also different from store to store, as each store chooses its own selection from among the 3,500 articles offered each season. Other factors include low costs and, since 2009, a loyalty card that offers clients permanent advantages. Three million people now use the card worldwide.
Born into a family that owned vineyards, Pierre Mestre also acquired the Verchant winery and vineyards in Castelnau-le-Lez. He transformed the domain into a luxury hotel just minutes from central Montpellier. Verchant was awarded its fifth star in 2010, the first distinction of this level in the region.
Find out more:
- Orchestra
