Financial focus: Kao, SK-II and more in our beauty business update

SENSAI outlines Asia expansion plans starting with Shanghai flagship in Q4​

Japanese luxury skin care brand SENSAI is set to unveil a flagship store in Shanghai in the fourth quarter as it gears up to target China’s "affluent consumers" for future growth.

The firm will launch a flagship store in Shanghai, China in the fourth quarter.

This would mark the start of SENSAI’s three-year expansion plan in China. According to the firm, it plans to increase the presence of SENSAI starting from Shanghai.

Kao hedges bets on Bioré to dominate sun care globally​

Japanese personal care major Kao Corporation aims to lead the global sun care category by leveraging the strength of the Bioré brand and its ‘unique’ technology.

Kao recognised the global sun care market as a crucial factor for the company, due to its significant size and projected expansion.

“Sun care is a major category, and we aim to become a global sharp top in the sun care market because the market size is big and the growth is expected,”​ said Kotaro Nuriya, head of health and beauty care, Kao.

SK-II marks first new market entry in a decade with Vietnam launch​

Global prestige skin care brand SK-II’s is moving to capture Vietnam’s rapidly growing luxury beauty sector with its first new market entry in 10 years.

This move is said to underscore the Procter & Gamble-owned brand's commitment to expanding its global footprint and catering to the growing demand for luxury skin care in the emerging South East Asian market.

"Not only is Vietnam becoming one of Asia's fastest-growing luxury markets, but we recognise there is a high consumer demand for SK-II,” ​said global CEO of SK-II, Suekyung Lee.

escentials gears up to meet soaring demand for luxury niche beauty across Asia​

LUXASIA-owned retailer escentials is on course for rapid expansion spree across Asia as consumers from Vietnam to India tap into the niche beauty trend.

The firm began expanding the retail brand outside of Singapore in 2021 to Malaysia. This year, it expanded to Thailand and Vietnam.

Speaking exclusively to CosmeticsDesign-Asia​, Ong revealed the firm’s ambitious plans to introduce escentials to more markets in the coming years.

D&G Beauty plans ‘aggressive’ expansion in Korea in partnership with Shinsegae​

Dolce & Gabbana Beauty is embarking on a major online and offline expansion in South Korea in collaboration with distributor and retailer Shinsegae International.

D&G Beauty began retail with Shinsegae through its online platform SIVILLAGE the next day, beginning with its perfume line.

Starting in October, the brand will expand online and offline to beauty retail chains, including Shinsegae’s own Chicor, as well as health and beauty chain Olive Young. It will also expand to popular e-commerce platform KakaoTalk Gift.