Frequently asked questions.
The most important answers about the bbe system – concise and direct.
Does bbe name participating brands?
No. Discretion is a founding principle of the bbe system: neither brand nor retailer names appear publicly – only aggregated figures of the overall network. Details about participation are shared only in a personal conversation or in the protected brand area.
Does the bbe system replace selective distribution?
No. The system does not replace any existing distribution structure – it complements it with controlled distance-selling. Your depot agreements, brick-and-mortar business and authorised online partners remain untouched; bbe brings order to the part of distance-selling that today runs uncontrolled.
Who is my contracting party?
Your contracting party is BBE&L International GmbH, based in Berlin – the central purchasing and settlement company of the easycosmetic network – or one of its national subsidiaries. You sign a framework agreement with exactly one company of the group, not with individual retailers.
How current are the figures on this site?
The public figures – the number of brands in the network and the units moved over the last twelve months – are updated automatically every day from the network's systems. The as-of date is always shown.
In which languages and countries does bbe operate?
The network is active today in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the Netherlands and Belgium; expansion to Poland, France, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom is in preparation. Communication runs in German, English, French and Spanish.
How do I get access to the brand area?
Access to the brand portal is granted by invitation only – there is no self-registration. Get in touch; after an initial conversation you will receive personal credentials for your individual area.
What distinguishes bbe from an intermediary?
An intermediary buys and sells – with no visibility for the brand. bbe is a hub with rules: it bundles purchasing, controls distribution into defined channels and countries, and gives data back to the brand. Anonymous goods flows become a traceable system.
Does bbe control retail prices?
No. The control exercised by the bbe system covers channels, countries, volumes and product presentation. Retail prices are set independently by the retailers of the network.
What data do I see in the brand portal?
Invited brands see their individual figures: units moved and purchasing volume of their assortment, split by the regions DACH and EU, rolling over twelve months – including the lines that are already being sourced in parallel within the network today.
Which product categories does the network cover?
The focus is on fragrance and selective cosmetics – the classic perfumery assortment. Beyond that, the network covers skincare, make-up, haircare, sun care and accessories.
How do goods enter the network?
Through one bundled bbe order: one order for the entire network, one delivery address, one goods receipt, one settlement. The hub then handles distribution into the individual channels and countries under the agreed rules.
Do I have to change existing distribution agreements?
Usually not. The bbe system builds on existing distance-selling and brings order to it – it does not require restructuring your established distribution. What changes: you gain visibility and control over a channel that so far happened without you.
Which marketing services can I book in the network?
Participating brands can book product launches, marketing campaigns, give-aways and on-page placements in the network's channels. That creates dedicated reach to beauty-affine consumers – for a market launch, for example – and visibility that depositaries cannot offer in this form.