ACI BRANDS 40TH ANNIVERSARY

I had the opportunity to interview Jeff Goraieb, co-President on the history of ACI Brands and their celebratory 40th Anniversary milestone.

By Frank Turco

Humble Beginnings

ACI, also known as Accessory Concepts Inc., was officially incorporated on May 13th, 1983 as a Canadian corporation headquartered in Montreal, Quebec. The company’s inception can be attributed to the vision of our father, Gerald Goraieb, affectionately known as “Gerry.” Prior to founding ACI, Gerry enjoyed a long and successful career at Sears Canada, where he started as a commissioned salesperson in Edmonton and eventually rose to the position of Senior Buyer in Montreal. His tenure with Sears spanned an impressive 18 years.

During his time in the retail industry, Gerry keenly observed an untapped opportunity for the Canadian market. This realization led him to forge a partnership with RGA (Roger Gimble Accessories), a New York based company. Together, they introduced a novel retail concept focused on importing ladies’ fashion wallets. The launch of this innovative venture marked ACI’s entry into the retail landscape.

Since that pivotal moment, ACI has diversified its product offerings and expanded into other areas of retail. Today, we proudly operate in the realms of Sports & Fitness and Health & Beauty, in addition to our core focus on accessories. These strategic moves have allowed us to broaden our reach and serve the evolving needs of the Canadian retail community.

Generations Of Family

ACI has seen the active involvement of three generations throughout its history, but currently, two generations play a significant role in the company. The co-presidents of ACI today are Jeff Goraieb and John Goraieb, who are actively engaged in the operational aspects of the business. John’s son, Brandon, has joined ACI and currently works in our Sports and Fitness division, marking the involvement of the third generation within the company.

With their combined leadership and dedication, ACI remains committed to delivering exceptional products and services to our valued customers while staying true to the vision and values established by the preceding generations.

The genesis of our business can be traced back to the ladies fashion accessory industry. In 1985, we embarked on a new venture by introducing a comprehensive range of cosmetic bags. Little did we realize at the time that this decision would lay the foundation for our remarkable journey into our Health and Beauty division, which stands as our largest division today, managing approximately 20 well-known brands.

Within our Health and Beauty division, we manage a diverse portfolio of brands that span the entire spectrum of the Canadian retail landscape. From deep discount Mass retailers to high-end prestige outlets, our brands cater to a wide range of channels, including food, drug, mass, and prestige.

Entering the beauty industry was driven by our desire to diversify and meet the evolving needs of our customers. We recognized the demand for high-quality beauty and cosmetic products and saw an opportunity to leverage our expertise in distribution and customer relationships to deliver exceptional offerings to the Canadian market.

Today, ACI Brands is proud to be a trusted distributor of numerous well-known beauty brands. Our extensive experience, strong industry relationships, and dedication to excellence have positioned us as a leader in the competitive beauty industry in Canada.

When asked about a favourite brand within the portfolio, Jeff had this to offer “As the owner with a diverse portfolio, I must refrain from playing favorites. It would be akin to admitting favoritism among my own children – an impossible task!”

Jeff goes on to say that ACI holds a deep appreciation for brands that align closely with our mission and values. We are particularly drawn to brands that demonstrate a strong commitment to supporting our efforts in the Canadian retail landscape. This includes brands that recognize the immense potential of the Canadian market, exhibit significant growth potential, and actively engage in supporting our Canadian marketing initiatives

“Looking back on the remarkable journey of the past 40 years, there are many proud moments that have shaped our Company. One of the most significant sources of pride is the enduring relationships we have built with our customers, partners, and employees.” Says Jeff.

“We take immense pride in being a trusted partner to our customers, providing them with high-quality products and exceptional service. Over the years, we have worked diligently to understand their evolving needs, adapt to industry trends, and consistently deliver on our commitments. Building these enduring relationships has been a testament to our dedication and passion for the Health & Beauty industry.”

Another source of pride is the growth and expansion we have achieved. From our humble beginnings as a ladies fashion accessory business, we have evolved into a multi-divisional distributor serving different sectors of the retail industry. This growth has been fueled by our unwavering commitment to excellence, innovation, and customer satisfaction.

The Road Ahead

As we anticipate the celebration of our 50th anniversary in the next decade, we are filled with excitement for the future and the multitude of opportunities that lie ahead.

Looking forward, we envision significant growth and progress in each of our strategic business units.

Our goal, which has been the driving force behind our journey thus far, remains unwavering—to become one of the largest distributors of consumer products in Canada. We have dedicated ourselves to this vision, and we may very well be on the cusp of achieving it now. However, we see tremendous upside and untapped potential moving forward.

As we look ahead to the next decade, we are driven by a shared passion for innovation, excellence, and customer satisfaction. Our commitment to these core values will guide us in realizing our ambitious goals and celebrating even greater achievements as we mark our 50th anniversary.

Over the next few years, ACI brands is poised to bring forth exciting developments and expansions across our diverse portfolio. We are committed to continuously enhancing our offerings to meet the evolving needs of the market and our valued customers.

Additionally, we are thrilled to announce a new venture in the home electronic merchandise segment. This expansion aligns perfectly with our existing packaged goods product mix and presents a promising opportunity to diversify our offerings. We aim to provide innovative and high-quality home electronic products that enhance the lives of our customers.

At ACI Brands, we embrace the spirit of adaptability and entrepreneurialism. We are committed to seizing new opportunities, exploring untapped markets, and delivering exceptional value to our customers. As we embark on the next phase of our journey, we look forward to exceeding expectations, driving positive change, and solidifying our position as a leading Health & Beauty Distributor in Canada.

First and foremost, I acknowledge that the business landscape has become increasingly challenging and complex. However, amidst these challenges, I want to emphasize that the future of retailing in the beauty industry is filled with exciting opportunities. It is the retailers who demonstrate agility, adaptability, and a deep understanding of their customers who are poised for great success. Embrace innovation, stay attuned to evolving consumer trends, and never lose sight of the passion that brought you into this industry. Together, we can navigate the changing tides and create a vibrant future for retail beauty.

Equally important, I want to express my profound gratitude to all our customers—the beauty advisors, cosmeticians, and specialists who have supported us throughout our 40-year journey. Your unwavering support and partnership have been instrumental in our success. We recognize that our achievements are a direct result of the trust you have placed in us, and we are committed to continuing our collaborative efforts to drive mutual growth and prosperity.

Lastly, but certainly not least, I want to extend my heartfelt appreciation to our incredible staff. With over 250 dedicated employees, our success is intrinsically linked to their unwavering commitment, hard work, and passion. Each member of our team has contributed to our achievements and played a vital role in shaping our company’s growth. It is their dedication and expertise that have propelled us forward, and I am immensely proud to be surrounded by such a talented and driven workforce.

Time To Celebrate

We understand that our success is built upon the dedication and hard work of our employees. They are the backbone of our organization, and their contributions have been instrumental in reaching this incredible milestone. To honor their commitment and express our appreciation, we will be hosting a company-wide BBQ event. This fun-filled afternoon will bring together our employees to celebrate our shared achievements. There will be delicious food, music, games, and activities for all to enjoy.