14 Oct 2011

Ecoya looks to Australia for continued growth

9:00 am on 14 October 2011

Candle, fragrance, and body care firm Ecoya says it's looking to Australia for continued growth, despite the challenging retail environment.

The listed company says it has reached break-even sooner than expected helped by the addition of its recently acquired Trilogy skincare range and strong growth in its largest market, Australia.

Ecoya's expecting earnings of $240,000 in the first half of the year compared with a loss of $2.6 million in the same period a year earlier.

Chairman Geoff Ross says both its Trilogy and Ecoya brands are selling well in Australia's department stores and there's still plenty of room for growth across the Tasman.

He says Trilogy and Ecoya are in different outlets so the company can use that to benefit both brands.

Mr Ross says Australia is Ecoya's its key focus though the company has also had growth in newer markets, like Asia, where there has been a very encouraging start.

He says Ecoya has launched in the Middle East in Dubai and in London its products are in Harrods and Liberties.

Mr Ross says the company is on track to achieving revenues of $20 million or more and a modest profit in 2012.