‘Highest priority’: Kosé places ASEAN, India expansion at the forefront of new strategy
Kosé Corporation has underscored the importance of ASEAN and India as growth engines in its new medium- to long-term strategy.
Business & financial
Medipeel leans on export-exclusive brand MDP+ to strengthen US presence
South Korean skin care brand Medipeel is using MDP+, its export-exclusive brand tailored to US consumers, to differentiate itself in the competitive market.
‘Asia is still untapped territory’: Keune Haircosmetics to launch in China, sharpening Asia focus
Keune Haircosmetics announces plans to enter the Chinese market in 2025, marking a strategic shift towards strengthening its presence in Asia.
Shiseido prioritises 8 key brands to achieve stable profit growth within two years
Shiseido will focus on eight brands to stabilise its business and achieve profit growth over the next two years.
Scent by SIX focuses on building resilience as it navigates economic uncertainties
Fragrance company Scent by SIX is marking its 8th anniversary amid a wave of economic uncertainties, with founder Jason Lee focused on building resilience for future growth.
Financial focus: When beauty turns ugly - the financial missteps that led Avon to bankruptcy
In this month’s Financial Focus column, guest author Ragini Bhalla analyzes a cautionary tale in beauty industry success and failure with the story of DTC beauty company Avon.
Kao hopeful about China recovery as Curél, freeplus thrive during 11.11
Kao Corporation is seeing signs of recovery in China’s beauty market as its Curél and freeplus achieve strong growth during the 11.11 shopping festival.
Financial focus: LG H&H, Sa Sa, Cosmax in our beauty business update
In this round-up of beauty business updates in the APAC cosmetics industry, we highlight the business developments from LG H&H, Sa Sa, Cosmax and more.
Crystal Tomato secures exclusive enhanced colourless carotenoids from Lucas Meyer Cosmetics
Crystal Tomato, best known for its skin whitening supplements, has secured a deal with Lucas Meyer Cosmetics by Clariant for an exclusive ingredient.
MEDIPEEL accelerates Japan, aims to launch in 750 stores by end of year
South Korean skincare MEDIPEEL is intensifying its expansion efforts in Japan, aiming to establish its brand in 750 stores by year-end in a bid to further solidify its presence in the key beauty and personal care market.
Long-lasting wave: Ksisters expands bestselling Jung Beauty hair care range, opens flagship store in Singapore
K-beauty retailer Ksisters has launched a new hair product under its Jung Beauty brand alongside the opening of its first retail store in Singapore, amid evolving but persistent popularity of Korean cosmetic innovations.
‘A philosophical reset’: Facetheory targets APAC's eco-conscious consumers with accessibility, sustainability
British brand Facetheory is aiming to capture Asia Pacific consumers with effective products, accessible price points, and strong focus on sustainability to appeal to the growing segment of eco-conscious consumers in the region.
LG H&H zeroes in on North American expansion with The Face Shop, Belif, CNP
LG Household & Health Care is prioritising The Face Shop, Belif, and CNP in a bid to expand its influence in the North American beauty sector.
Estée Lauder Companies reports slight decline in North American sales amidst global challenges
Estée Lauder Companies has reported a 4% overall decline in Q1 net sales, with US growth in online channels helping to offset challenges across its North American portfolio, where net sales declined by only 1%.
APR Corp thriving in Japan and Chinese-speaking markets, to expand overseas sales channels for new products
South Korean beauty tech firm APR Corp aims to build on its promising sales performances in Japan and China, while broadening overseas sales channels for new products.
Carté HD marks SEA expansion with Singapore launch, plans 2025 Thailand debut
Kosé-owned Carté HD has made its debut in Singapore and has plans to launch in Thailand next year as part of overall global expansion plans.
‘Challenged by headwinds’: Sa Sa operations hit by low consumption, rising outbound travel trends
Beauty retailer Sa Sa’s latest quarterly highlights major challenges in key markets Hong Kong and Macau such as reduced local consumption and increased outbound travel.
‘Early read is encouraging’: Unilever India reports positive feedback on palm-reduced soap formulations
Unilever's India subsidiary is receiving encouraging initial feedback on its new palm-reduced soap formulations under brands LUX and Lifebuoy.
P&G reports mixed performance in Q1 FY25 results
Procter & Gamble’s fiscal 2025 first-quarter results reveal steady growth in organic sales, up 2% due to price increases and innovation. However, the beauty segment faced challenges, particularly in luxury skincare.
"We need new stuff to get consumers excited:" L'Oréal CEO on Q3 sales results
In the third quarter of 2024, total sales rose yet missed expectations, due to the impact of the flagging China market and the slowdown of derma and sun care sales in the US.
Scaling further: Cosmax to expand China operations to capitalise on domestic online market growth
Contract manufacturer Cosmax is banking on major new opportunities in China’s domestic beauty market on the back of the rise in online direct-to-consumer brands in recent years.
‘Expectations are high’: K-beauty brand ANUA plans to expand to 120 Boots outlets by October
South Korean beauty brand ANUA is set to expand its presence in Europe with plans to roll out to 120 UK Boots outlets by October as it works to increase its global footprint.
‘We want to reach all skin care lovers’: AXIS-Y aims to expand its reach in North America ‘beyond K-beauty’ niche
South Korean beauty brand AXIS-Y plans to broaden its presence in North America by reaching a more mainstream audience through channel expansion and influencer outreach.
‘Right market, right moment’: Helena Rubinstein debuts in Singapore with plans for further regional growth
Ultra-luxury brand Helena Rubinstein has made its Singapore debut with a flagship boutique and has plans to expand further across the region.
Answering the call: Kao launches new brand to strengthen position in premium hair care market
Kao has launched The Answer, a premium hair care brand positioned to appeal to discerning consumers who are seeking both luxury and efficacy.
Financial focus: Phyto, LG H&H, Estée Lauder and more in our beauty business update
In this round-up of beauty business updates in the APAC cosmetics industry, we highlight the business developments of Phyto, LG H&H, Estée Lauder and more.
Kao sets $1.38bn sales target for hair care by 2027 on the back of hair colour, premium offerings
Kao Corporation is aiming for JPY200bn (USD1.38bn) in hair care sales by 2027, driven by a focus on hair colour and premium products.
How to win over… China’s value-drive beauty consumers
Exclusive insights from Elizabeth Arden, G&M Cosmetics, Aromababy, alongside industry experts shed light on the increasing complex landscape of China’s beauty market while highlighting its major challenges and opportunities.
Guess who's back? Phyto adopts 'less is more' strategy as it takes on more competitive hair care market
French hair care brand Phyto is streamlining its offerings to strengthen its position in the increasingly competitive hair care landscape in Asia.
NatureLab Tokyo launches in Singapore to meet demand for modern demands for scalp care
Japanese personal care major Mandom is rolling out NatureLab Tokyo in Singapore as it seeks the opportunity to meet the demands for clean, natural and ingredient-led scalp care solutions.
Herbal hero: C-beauty brand Inoherb eyes overseas growth potential in SEA
Chinese herbal skin care brand Inoherb is exploring expansion into South East Asia as it anticipates a C-beauty skin care boom.
‘Flying off the shelves’: LG H&H aims to expand Glint, Code with Guardian Singapore as sales take off
LG Household & Health Care is aiming to expand makeup brands Glint and Code with retail partner Guardian Singapore as sales double in four months.
Shopee Korea aims for 300% growth in Thailand on the back of K-beauty boom
E-commerce retailer Shopee Korea is aiming for 300% growth in Thailand next year as K-beauty brands such as COSRX, Fwee, Torriden, and VT Cosmetics surge in demand.
Promoting ‘open innovation’: LG H&H commits $3.7m in funding to seek long-term partnerships with K-beauty start-ups
South Korean consumer goods company LG Household and Health Care (LGH&H) has invested KRW5bn (USD3.73m) in a venture capital fund that fosters K-beauty start-ups.
‘Our next key market’: Able C&C furthers global acceleration with Middle East expansion
South Korean cosmetics firm Able C&C is strengthening its international presence by expanding its footprint in the Middle East.
Amorepacific’s Hera outlines Thailand expansion plans with Sephora, EVEANDBOY, Shopee, TikTok
Amorepacific’s luxury beauty brand Hera is accelerating its expansion in Thailand with Sephora, EVEANDBOY, Shopee, and TikTok Shop.
Essential rebrand: Kao launches new ‘basic’ lineup as part of wider hair care overhaul
Kao flagship hair care brand Essential is relaunching its basic series which will feature new formulations containing honey and collagen.
The doctor is back: Dr Jart+ re-launches in Japan as K-beauty interest grows
Estee Lauder-owned K-beauty skin care brand Dr Jart+ has re-launched in Japan, as its latest earnings reveal declining sales in Asia.
How to win over… beauty consumers in India’s tier-two and -three cities
Insights from Nykaa, Potion Inc, and Invest India highlight strategies to win over its price-sensitive consumers and navigate diverse distribution challenges within India’s tier two and three cities.
Estée Lauder: Global prestige beauty rebound by 2026 contingent on China recovery
Estée Lauder is hopeful that global prestige beauty will have mid-single digit growth by fiscal 2026, providing the China market gradually stabilises and resumes growth.
Ready, set, glow: Coty gears up Lancaster, Orveda for China’s ‘inevitable’ skin care rebound
Coty has revealed its confidence in China's high-end skin care sector for Lancaster and Orveda, despite forecasting 'negative growth' for the category in the coming months.
Financial focus: L'Oréal, Shiseido, Nykaa in our beauty business update
In this round-up of business and financial updates in the APAC cosmetics industry, we highlight the business developments from L'Oréal, Shiseido, Nykaa and more.
Nykaa cements position in key segments with investments in Dot & Key, Earth Rhythm
Indian omnichannel beauty firm Nykaa has raised its stake in Dot & Key and acquired a majority stake in Earth Rhythm in order to strengthen position in skin care and sustainable beauty.
‘The third pillar of beauty’: Nykaa ‘doubling down’ on prestige fragrance in bid to gain market share
Indian omnichannel beauty retailer Nykaa will increase its focus on the prestige fragrance segment after observing high growth over its last quarter.
Major store expansion: G&M Cosmetics reports Vietnam offline sales growth surpassing online
Offline sales in Vietnam are growing faster than online sales for G&M Cosmetics, prompting it to make a major expansion into 500 stores.
Intensifying competition: Shiseido pressured in China by increasing price consciousness among consumers
Japanese cosmetics major Shiseido Company is facing mounting pressure in China as price sensitivity among locals intensifies price competition.
Prepare for launch: Beiersdorf outlines plans for NIVEA, Eucerin debuts in India
German beauty and personal care company Beiersdorf is set to launch NIVEA Face and Eucerin in India, where it sees tremendous potential in the facial care category.
Amusing move: Shinsegae’s AMUSE acquisition represents efforts to expand globally, improve profitability
Shinsegae International’s move to acquire the Gen Z favourite colour cosmetics brand AMUSE signals intentions to expand globally and boost profitability.
Less palm, more skin benefits: Hindustan Unilever's new soap technology brings ‘dramatic’ superiority to Lux, Lifebuoy
Hindustan Unilever’s (HUL) Stratos technology reduces palm oil in soap by 25% and claims to have superior functional benefits to the skin barrier, fragrance delivery, and more.
Clé de Peau Beauté rolls out plans to elevate customer experiences amid global expansion
Shiseido’s prestige skin care brand Clé de Peau Beauté aims to elevate customer engagement through innovative retail approaches, reinforcing the brand's commitment to excellence on a global scale.