1 - Shiseido’s nine-month sales growth driven by Japan, China and travel retail
Shiseido’s nine-month profits and sale “reached all-time highs” with help from China and travel retail sales, and despite natural disasters and supply shortages in its home country.
The Japanese cosmetics giant announced on Nov 8 that net sales reached ¥805.8bn ($7.1bn), up 10.2% from last year. Shiseido also reported an organic year-on-year sales growth of 14% while operating income increased 43.5% to ¥101.4bn ($891m).
“We were able to achieve these results because we have created a virtuous cycle in which a combination of accelerated brand growth and effective cross-border marketing in our Japan, China and Travel Retail businesses is leading to considerable improvement in our cost structure,” said Norio Tadakawa, Corporate Executive Officer and CFO of Shiseido Company.
2 - Unilever unites with Humane Society International to end animal testing for cosmetics
In an “unprecedented move” by one of the globe’s leading beauty brands, Humane Society International notes how these increasing efforts to ban animal testing in the cosmetics sphere may well be the “beginning of the end for cruel cosmetics”. We spoke with Hannah Stuart, HSI Campaign Manager for #BeCrueltyFree Australia to find out how together they are moving towards their key objectives.
Consumer goods giant, Unilever, has announced its support for the #BeCrueltyFree campaign led by Humane Society International (HSI).
HSI emphasises Unilever’s active support for strong bans on cosmetic animal testing and trade in the United States, Canada, Brazil and Australia; a major step forward in its global #BeCrueltyFree campaign.
The UK-headquartered beauty heavyweight has pledged to support the organisation's efforts to ban animal testing for cosmetics internationally within the next five years.
3 - Skin deep: Kao research links positive feelings to improved appearance
The Kao Corporation has found that positive emotions induced by the use of beauty products can lead to better skin appearance.
The results were presented at the 30th IFSCC Congress held in Munich and is part of a larger research project Kao has undertaken since 2012.
According to the company, its belief that skin care routines generate positive emotions spurred them on to prove that positive emotions generated by skin care can lead to better skin condition.
4 - Japanese beauty brands accelerate efforts in Asia amid growing popularity
Reports that cosmetic giants Shiseido and Kao ramping up efforts in Asia signal the growing popularity of Japanese cosmetics amongst consumers in the region.
Japanese publication Nihon Keizin Shimbun reported that Shiseido has plan to increase sales of its eponymous brand by 50% to ¥200bn ($1.77) by 2020.
Meanwhile, the Nikkei Asian Review reported that its rival, Kao, already has plans in place to challenge Shiseido’s market share in China by its premium skin care offerings.
Speaking at the TFWA (Tax Free World Association) World Exhibition and Conference, Philippe Lesné, Shiseido Travel Retail President and CEO, suggested that Japanese beauty has yet to reach its peak potential.
5 - ‘Massive improvements’: Unilever Dubai implements Industry 4.0 system for factory
Unilever has installed ‘complete end-of-line Industry 4.0 solution’ for its largest personal care factory in the Middle East and Africa.
Opened in 2017, Unilever’s $272m personal care plant in Dubai exports 80% of goods to Europe and MENA region. Brands manufactured at the factory include Dove, Fair & Lovely, Lifebuoy, Vaseline, Clear, TRESemmé, and Sunsilk.
With the help of Gebo Cermex, Unilever upgraded its plant with state-of-the-art technology that ensured faster, shorter, and highly responsive production lines, reducing lead-time to market.
