China focus: Latest developments in China’s booming beauty market

Mistine China banking on eye and complexion to grow make-up​

Thai beauty brand Mistine is aiming to grow its colour cosmetics category in China and has identified eye make-up and complexion products as its biggest opportunities.

Mistine is one of the top sunscreen brands in China. However, the company is now looking at opportunities beyond sunscreen and will be focusing more on colour cosmetics moving forward.

The two categories it was focusing on for China are eye and complexion make-up.

L’Occitane H1: HK, Australia, and Malaysia lead APAC growth as China slumps​

L’Occitane International has reported that Asia Pacific grew by 1.9% at constant rates in the first half (H1), led by Hong Kong, Australia, and Malaysia, helping to offset the second consecutive quarter of double-digit declines for China.

The improvements seen in APAC helped to offset the mid-teens decline in China, which has been affected by COVID-19 lockdowns.

This was a second consecutive quarter of double-digit declines for China, despite the initial reports of a ‘strong’ rebound in June this year.

P’URE Papayacare Baby to hit shelves in China next year after gaining regulatory approval​

P’URE Papayacare is set to launch its baby care range in China next year after gaining regulatory approval, as G&M Cosmetics doubles down on Asia expansion.

The company will soon be introducing the P’URE Papayacare Baby range in China.

While China and the wider Asian region have always been important markets for G&M Cosmetics, it is set to be even more significant for now, considering the economic and geopolitical turmoil in places like Europe.

Pola Orbis will proceed with POLA China expansion despite strict COVID-19 policies​

Pola Orbis said China’s strict COVID-19 policies would have no impact on its plans to continue expanding in China.

It said it would not change its plans to open new storefronts. “There is no need to review the business model, and store openings are continuing.”​

It noted that unveiling stores in malls, especially those that offer aesthetic treatment service, were crucial from a branding perspective.

Estée Lauder anticipates Hainan to recover in fiscal 2024 – CFO​​

Estée Lauder is expecting Hainan recovery to be slow and does not anticipate things to be “fully back to normal”​ by FY2024.

The firm’s executive vice president and CFO Tracey Thomas Travis said:

“In terms of Hainan, no, we don't anticipate that Hainan will be fully back to normal in Q4. Much improved, but not fully back to normal. And so, we are now looking at fiscal 2024 for traffic to recover. And again, it's a guesstimate at this point in time.”​

However, she reaffirmed the firm’s commitment to the Hainan.