Goutabio: All Information About

Introuction

In the bustling 9th arrondissement of Lyon, nestled at 39 rue Roger Salengro, lies Goutabio — a boutique that positions itself at the intersection of organic living, wellness and beauty. With an emphasis on bio products, essential oils, natural cosmetics and eco-friendly household items, Goutabio has carved out a niche for customers seeking a holistic lifestyle. In this article we’ll dive into its history, offerings, strengths, challenges and what you should consider if you intend to visit or engage with the store.

History & Background

Goutabio was founded to respond to the growing demand in France for organic and natural products, especially among consumers seeking alternatives to conventional cosmetics, cleaning supplies and foodstuffs. According to one profile of its founder Rémi Goutarel, his studies in environmental protection and sustainable development led him to launch Goutabio as a way of marrying business with his values of respect for nature, quality and more accessible pricing.

The company, under the name GOUTABIO, carried the SIREN 531 639 052 and showed a turnover of around €316 000 in 2021, though a net loss of about -€1 000. Over time various ancillary locations and establishments appear to have opened and closed; for example the listing shows multiple addresses in Lyon and nearby towns.

As a local brick-and-mortar store, Goutabio serves not only as a place to shop but as a local wellness hub: the listings indicate it also offers consultations or sales of essential oils, eco-cleaning supplies, and natural beauty products.

What Goutabio Offers – Product & Service Range

Goutabio’s core offerings can broadly be divided into the following categories:

1. Essential Oils & Aromatherapy
One of the hallmark product lines of Goutabio is its collection of organic essential oils, oils for diffusion, aromatherapy accessories, etc. For instance, the boutique is described as offering “huiles essentielles bio garanties 100% pures”.

2. Natural Cosmetics & Beauty
The store markets organic makeup brands (for example, the French brand Couleur Caramel is mentioned) and beauty products with an eco-friendly orientation.

3. Eco-Household & Cleaning Products
Goutabio also caters to the eco-cleaning market: “produits d’entretien”, “lessive”, etc. For example, a listing mentions salt-based ecological detergent products under the Goutabio brand.

4. Organic Food & Supplements
While more peripheral, some descriptions of the store note that they offer “compléments alimentaires”, “café, jus, etc.” as part of their bio product line.

5. Local Service & Community
Beyond mere product sales, the shop appears integrated into local wellness culture. It is marked in the Lyon city directory as a “Bien-être & beauté” location and is accessible via public transport (TCL) and bike (Vélo’v).

Why It Stands Out – Key Strengths

Goutabio has a number of advantages that help it appeal to its target audience:

• Specialisation in bio and natural: In a retail landscape where many stores carry a mix of conventional and natural, Goutabio is clearly positioned in the organic/eco niche. That helps build trust with consumers looking for “certified” or natural alternatives.

• Location & local presence: Having a physical store in Lyon 9 gives it visibility and the ability to engage with customers face-to-face (something many online-only eco retailers lack).

• Product breadth: From essential oils to cleaning products to natural cosmetics, the store appears to offer a wide range of eco-lifestyle items, giving customers one place to explore multiple aspects of natural living.

• Value mindset: The founder’s background suggests a value-driven business: combining quality, sustainability and “accessible pricing” (a phrase from the profile).

• Community oriented: The store’s directory listing as a “bien-être & beauté” location, and its presence in local organic store directories (for example the “Magasins bio à Genas” list) suggest it participates in the local organic community.

What to Be Mindful Of – Challenges & Considerations

Even with its strengths, there are several factors and caveats for consumers and observers:

• Financial performance and scale: The financials for 2021 show a modest turnover (~€316 000) and a small net loss (~-€1 000). This suggests the business is relatively small and may have tight margins.

• Visibility of online presence: While the physical store is well-documented, the online domain may be less robust. For example, the domain goutabio.com appears to be parked and not operating as a full e-commerce site.

• Competitive market: The organic/natural beauty and household product market is crowded in France. Large chains and online retailers may offer lower costs or broader selections. A small local store must therefore differentiate through service, curation, or unique products.

• Supply and certification risks: In natural product retail, managing supply of certified organic items, maintaining authenticity, controlling inventory and ensuring certifications (bio, Ecocert, etc) are valid is critical. Without transparent communication, customers may be skeptical.

• Scaling limitations: With small size and local orientation, national/international reach is limited. For consumers outside Lyon or for those seeking shipping nationwide, the availability may be restricted or shipping costs high.

How to Make the Most of Your Visit or Purchase

If you plan to visit or buy from Goutabio, here are some tips to maximise your experience:

1. Visit in-store if possible: The physical layout allows you to inspect essential oils, list ingredients, ask about certifications, test products.

2. Ask about certifications: For any organic/labeled item ask for packaging certifications (Ecocert, Nature & Progrès, etc), especially for essential oils where purity is critical.

3. Engage with staff: The founder’s background suggests the store is service-oriented; ask for guidance on product selection, usage tips (especially for aromatherapy, eco-cleaning).

4. Check for local promotions or loyalty: Local stores often run promotions, offer samples, or have loyalty programs (especially in the eco niche).

5. Verify online presence: If you prefer online ordering, check if the store offers shipping, what the policies are, whether the website is active and secure.

6. Compare pricing and value: Because organic/natural items often carry premium pricing, it’s wise to compare similar items elsewhere to ensure you are getting value relative to certifications and quality.

7. Customer reviews: Look for reviews from local directories (Justacoté, Alentoor) to get a sense of service and product satisfaction. For example, one directory mentions “Parfumerie et produit de beauté… Nous avons parmi le meilleur rapport qualité prix…” for Goutabio.

Final Thoughts

Goutabio presents as a commendable local retail business rooted in the organic and natural products market. For consumers in Lyon or nearby regions who value eco-friendly living, natural cosmetics, essential oils and sustainable household items, it offers a curated and community-oriented option. The store’s emphasis on authenticity, local presence and broad product range are real advantages.

However, for those outside the region, or who prioritise online convenience or ultra-low-cost pricing, the limitations (small scale, potentially limited online operations) may be a drawback. As with any niche retail business, the mix of quality, service, price and transparency determines whether it truly stands out.

If you are in Lyon and curious about making your home and wellness routine a little greener and more natural, Goutabio is certainly worth a visit. Ask questions, explore the product range, and take advantage of the opportunity to connect with staff who have sustainability values at heart.