Investment Rating - Industry rating: Recommended [5] Core Insights - The beauty sector experienced a stable conclusion during the 618 shopping festival, with significant changes in platform and brand dynamics driven by reduced commission policies and interest-based content ecosystems [1][2] - The total GMV for beauty products across four major e-commerce platforms (Taobao, JD, Douyin, Kuaishou) during the 618 period was between 600-700 billion yuan, reflecting a year-on-year growth of over 10% [1] - Taobao maintained the largest market share at 41.3%, followed by Douyin at 35.7%, JD at 14.8%, and Kuaishou at 8.2% [1][13] Summary by Sections E-commerce Platform Dynamics - Douyin's beauty segment is rapidly growing, supported by merchant subsidies and interest-driven consumer engagement, achieving double-digit growth [2] - Douyin's promotional strategies included a 1.4 billion yuan subsidy for merchants in May, with individual merchant reductions reaching up to 2.99 million yuan [2] Skincare and Makeup Categories - In the skincare category, domestic brands like Proya and Han Shu led the market, maintaining their top positions on Taobao and Douyin [3] - The top five brands in the skincare category on Taobao remained stable, with Proya and Han Shu continuing to dominate [3] - In the makeup and fragrance category, new domestic brands are emerging, with Ti Luo Wei achieving rapid growth by focusing on base makeup products [4] International and Domestic Brand Strategies - International brands are performing well due to localized marketing strategies and a willingness to engage with local consumers [8] - Domestic brands are expected to break out of the competitive cycle focused on ingredients and efficacy, emphasizing brand influence and comprehensive user experience [8] Investment Recommendations - Focus on domestic companies with strong brand equity and comprehensive channel strategies, particularly Proya and Han Shu [9] - Highlight technology-driven skincare brands like Betaini and Juzi Biology that target specific consumer needs [9] - Consider daily chemical brands with strong cost-performance ratios and excellent management of emerging channels, such as Runben and Dengkang [9]

Core Viewpoint - The company is optimizing its investment structure by divesting non-core assets to enhance financial efficiency and focus on its main cosmetics business [1][2]. Group 1: Investment and Strategic Decisions - The company announced the transfer of a 45% stake in Jiaxing Woyong Investment Partnership for a price of 99.99 million yuan, indicating a strategic decision to improve capital utilization [1]. - This transaction aligns with the company's long-term development strategy and reflects a prudent approach to investment [1]. Group 2: Financial Performance - In 2024, the company achieved a revenue of 10.778 billion yuan, representing a year-on-year growth of 21.04%, with a net profit of 1.552 billion yuan, up 30% [2]. - For the first quarter of 2025, the company reported a revenue of 2.359 billion yuan, an increase of 8.13%, and a net profit of 390 million yuan, growing by 28.87% [2]. Group 3: Research and Development - The company increased its R&D investment to 210 million yuan in 2024, a growth of 21.21%, and established three R&D centers in cities like Hangzhou and Shanghai [2]. - Future R&D efforts will focus on key areas such as anti-aging, scalp micro-ecology, and sustainable materials to build technological barriers [2]. Group 4: Brand and Market Strategy - The company is implementing a multi-brand and multi-category strategy, with brands like "Proya," "Caitang," and "Off&Relax," covering various segments such as skincare and makeup [2]. - This strategy aims to create a clear and complementary brand matrix within the domestic cosmetics industry [2]. Group 5: Channel and Digital Strategy - The company is enhancing its online and offline channel development, focusing on e-commerce and new marketing methods like live streaming to increase brand penetration and customer loyalty [3]. - A unified data foundation has been established to drive decision-making efficiency through digitalization and AI technologies, creating an "AI beauty ecosystem" for improved operations and personalized consumer experiences [3].

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the significant changes in the management structure of Proya Cosmetics, highlighting the shift towards innovation, digitalization, and internationalization strategies under the new leadership of Hou Yameng, who took over as General Manager in September 2024 [1][4][6]. Management Changes - In the past nine months, Proya has experienced frequent changes in its senior management team, with the departure of key figures and the introduction of new executives focused on research and digital strategies [3][4]. - The company has seen the exit of veteran leaders, including co-founder Fang Youyou and former Vice General Manager Wang Li, while bringing in new talent such as Wang Yifeng, Sun Peiwen, and Hu Ningbo [4][15][16]. Strategic Focus - Proya's recent appointments are closely aligned with its strategic goals of enhancing research innovation, internationalization, and digital transformation, supporting its ambition to rank among the top ten global cosmetics companies in the next decade [4][14]. - The company has upgraded its talent requirements from "execution and professionalism" to "learning ability, collaboration, and self-drive," aiming to attract cross-industry talents with backgrounds in internet and fast-moving consumer goods [5]. Digital Transformation - Hu Ningbo, the newly appointed Chief Digital Officer, has established a digital value assessment system focused on ROI to ensure that technological investments translate into measurable business growth [11][19]. - The company is implementing a "brand innovation development" model to enhance long-term brand growth by integrating market demand, research, product development, and marketing [20]. Organizational Structure - Proya has undergone multiple organizational structure adjustments since its listing, with the latest changes reflecting a shift towards a brand-driven approach, emphasizing research, branding, supply chain, and digitalization as core components [21][24]. - The company has seen significant revenue growth, with reported revenues of 6.385 billion yuan and 8.9 billion yuan in 2022 and 2023, respectively, marking year-on-year increases of 37.8% and 39.5% [25][26]. Marketing Strategy - The shift from a marketing-driven to a brand-driven strategy is a key focus for Proya, as indicated by the recent appointment of Wang Yifeng, who will lead efforts to enhance product development and brand growth [27].

Core Viewpoint - Proya Cosmetics Co., Ltd. is undergoing significant leadership changes aimed at enhancing research innovation, internationalization, and digitalization strategies to achieve its goal of becoming a top ten global cosmetics company in the next decade [2][6][12]. Leadership Changes - Proya has appointed Wang Yifeng as the new head of product development and vice general manager of incubated brands, marking the third high-level personnel change this year [2][4]. - Since the appointment of Hou Yameng as general manager in September 2022, Proya has seen a net addition of four new executives while two long-standing members have departed [4][8]. - The new hires include key figures focused on research and digitalization, such as Sun Peiwen as Chief R&D Innovation Officer and Hu Ningbo as Chief Digital Officer [5][6]. Strategic Focus - The recent appointments are closely aligned with Proya's strategic vision, emphasizing research innovation, internationalization, and digitalization [2][6]. - Proya has upgraded its talent requirements from "execution and expertise" to "learning ability, collaboration, and self-drive," aiming to attract cross-industry talent with backgrounds in internet and fast-moving consumer goods [2][6]. Organizational Structure - Proya's organizational structure has been adjusted to focus on brand or business-led project teams, with R&D, branding, supply chain, and digitalization as four key platforms [9][10]. - The company has made seven organizational adjustments since its listing, with the most significant changes occurring during the second board term [10]. Financial Performance - Proya's revenue growth has accelerated, with reported revenues of 6.385 billion yuan in 2022 and 8.9 billion yuan in 2023, reflecting year-on-year growth rates of 37.8% and 39.5%, respectively [12]. - The company's net profit also saw substantial increases, reaching 820 million yuan in 2022 and 1.19 billion yuan in 2023, with growth rates of 41.9% and 46% [12]. - Marketing expenses have risen significantly, with annual sales expenses reported at 1.992 billion yuan, 2.786 billion yuan, and 3.972 billion yuan from 2021 to 2023, indicating a focus on marketing strategies [12].

Core Insights - The 618 shopping festival has undergone a significant transformation this year, with a shift in focus from extreme GMV pursuit to enhancing brand value and consumer experience [2][20][31] Group 1: Market Performance - From January to May 2023, the retail sales of cosmetics in China reached 188.9 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 4.1%, with May's sales at 43.5 billion yuan, up 4.4% [2][4] - The overall e-commerce sales during the 618 festival reached 855.6 billion yuan, marking a year-on-year growth of 15.2%, with skincare sales at 43.2 billion yuan and fragrance and makeup at 14.3 billion yuan [5][6] - High-end beauty brands saw significant growth, with brands like YSL and Hourglass reporting over 60% year-on-year increases [9][10] Group 2: E-commerce Platform Changes - Major e-commerce platforms, particularly Tmall, have simplified their promotional strategies, eliminating complex rules and focusing on direct discounts to enhance consumer experience [14][20] - Tmall's 618 festival saw a 9% year-on-year growth in the first cycle, with a significant increase in user engagement and purchasing intent [18][23] - The introduction of features like "sold-out add-to-cart" has improved inventory management for merchants while enhancing the shopping experience for consumers [17][20] Group 3: Brand Dynamics - International beauty brands have experienced strong growth on Tmall, with a ratio of domestic to international brands at 5:15 [7] - New and innovative brands have emerged, with some achieving over 900% growth during the 618 festival, indicating a shift towards quality and innovation in the beauty sector [10][12] - The consumer preference for familiar brands has increased, with 47% of Chinese consumers indicating a tendency to choose known brands, up 14 percentage points from 2024 [22][23] Group 4: Future Trends - The beauty industry is moving towards a phase where brand value, product innovation, and operational efficiency are prioritized over mere sales volume [31][32] - E-commerce platforms are focusing on supporting high-quality brands and providing strategic guidance to enhance brand growth [26][29] - The market is transitioning from a focus on traffic-driven growth to a more sustainable model that emphasizes brand loyalty and consumer satisfaction [31][32]

Investment Rating - The report maintains a "Buy" rating for the company, indicating a potential upside of 15% to 35% from the current price [2][8]. Core Insights - The company has demonstrated strong performance during the 618 promotional event, leading in GMV rankings in the skincare category on major platforms [4]. - The company is focusing on product upgrades and enhancing its research and development capabilities, aiming to solidify its position as a leading domestic brand and expand globally [7]. - The financial forecasts suggest a steady increase in net profit and earnings per share (EPS) over the next few years, with projected net profits of RMB 18.72 billion, RMB 22.06 billion, and RMB 25.78 billion for 2025, 2026, and 2027 respectively [6][7]. Financial Summary - The company reported a net profit of RMB 817 million in 2022, with projections of RMB 1.872 billion for 2025, reflecting a year-on-year growth of 20.61% [6][9]. - Revenue is expected to grow from RMB 6.385 billion in 2022 to RMB 12.776 billion in 2025, indicating a robust growth trajectory [9]. - The company's price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio is projected to decrease from 28 in 2022 to 17 in 2025, suggesting an attractive valuation as earnings grow [6][9].

Core Viewpoint - Proya has undergone significant organizational changes and strategic adjustments, particularly with the appointment of new executives from international backgrounds to enhance its product development and digital capabilities [1][4][12]. Management Changes - Proya has experienced a turnover in its core management team, with several key executives leaving since the beginning of 2024, including the former CMO and Chief Scientific Officer [3][4]. - The appointment of Wang Yifeng, previously with Amorepacific, as the head of product development and vice general manager of brand incubation is a strategic move to strengthen the company's brand-driven approach [1][4]. Financial Performance - In Q1 2024, Proya reported a revenue of 2.359 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 8.13%, and a net profit of 390 million yuan, up 28.87% [6]. - For the full year 2024, Proya achieved a revenue of 10.778 billion yuan, reflecting a 21.04% growth, and a net profit of 1.552 billion yuan, which is a 30% increase [6]. Brand Performance - The revenue contribution from Proya's main brand has been declining, while the share of its sub-brands, such as Caitang and Off&Relax, has been increasing [6][7]. - Caitang's revenue share rose from 8.99% in 2022 to 11.07% in 2024, indicating it as a significant growth driver for the company [6][7]. R&D and Marketing Investments - Proya's R&D expenses for the previous year were 210 million yuan, accounting for 1.95% of its revenue, with a notable increase in marketing expenses by 29.93% to 5.161 billion yuan in 2024 [8][6]. - The increase in marketing expenses is attributed to a rise in promotional costs, which grew by 30.22% [8]. Strategic Initiatives - Proya has announced plans to enter the light medical beauty sector, launching its first medical dressing product aimed at post-surgical recovery, capitalizing on the rapid growth of the medical beauty market [10][12]. - The company aims to achieve a position among the top ten global cosmetics brands within the next decade through acquisitions and expansion into new markets [10][12].

Core Viewpoint - The company aims to achieve its "Double Ten" strategy, targeting to enter the top ten global cosmetics industry within the next decade, under the leadership of new general manager Hou Yameng [2][4][7]. Talent Acquisition - The appointment of Wang Yifeng as the head of product development and brand incubation is a strategic move to shift from a marketing-driven approach to a brand-driven one [2][3]. - Hou Yameng has been actively building a management team with international beauty industry experience, indicating a focus on enhancing brand strength and innovation capabilities [3][4]. Financial Performance - In 2024, the company reported a revenue of 10.78 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 21.04%, and a net profit of 1.552 billion yuan, up 30% [5]. - Despite maintaining growth, the revenue and net profit growth rates have been slowing down, with 2025 Q1 showing an 8.13% revenue increase and a 28.87% net profit increase [5][6]. Market Strategy - The company plans to expand into international markets and new product categories, including medical beauty and men's skincare, to support its growth ambitions [7][8]. - The company has made several acquisitions but has seen limited success in scaling these brands, with only one brand, Caitang, exceeding 1 billion yuan in revenue [6][8]. Competitive Landscape - To achieve its ambitious goals, the company must enhance its brand positioning and matrix compared to established international brands, which poses significant challenges [8][9]. - The current competitive environment in the medical beauty and men's skincare sectors is intense, requiring the company to strengthen its capabilities to compete effectively [7][9].

Core Insights - Tmall's "618" event this year saw record user engagement and sales, with 453 brands achieving over 100 million yuan in sales, a 24% increase year-on-year [1] - The high-net-worth 88VIP membership exceeded 50 million, marking a new high, while brand membership numbers grew by 15% [1] - The competition intensified with new players like Meituan and the collaboration between Taobao and Ele.me, drawing significant attention to the delivery battle [1] Group 1: Sales Performance - Tmall's "618" event featured a simplified promotional strategy, starting pre-sales earlier on May 13, with discounts up to 50% [2] - The combination of national subsidies and Tmall's "618" led to a 116% increase in total sales for participating categories compared to last year's "Double 11" [4] - Tmall's market share in home appliances and 3C digital products reached 45.3% and 45.5% respectively during "618" [4] Group 2: Product Trends - New beauty products saw explosive sales, with nearly 100 items surpassing 10 million yuan in sales [4] - The trend of wearing lingerie as outerwear gained popularity, with sales exceeding 200 million yuan during "618" [4] - Sales in sportswear and outdoor apparel grew by over 50%, while categories like trendy toys, jewelry, pets, and beverages also showed high growth [4] Group 3: Strategic Initiatives - Tmall's "618" serves as a critical period for implementing its "support the strong and eliminate the weak" strategy, with a doubled investment in user growth [5] - The platform simplified the registration process for merchants, allowing for easier participation in the event [6] - The competition among e-commerce platforms has evolved from consumer subsidies to a focus on supply chain efficiency and multi-channel growth strategies [6]

Core Insights - The "next-use" essence is becoming a must-have option for beauty brands, with the market size in China expected to reach 7.5 billion yuan in 2024, reflecting a year-on-year growth of over 20% [1] - Major brands like OLAY, Proya, and Miss Tina are entering the next-use product space, indicating a trend where "9 out of 10 brands" are adopting this format [1] Market Trends - The next-use essence has emerged as a phenomenon in the beauty sector, highlighted by over 20 next-use essence products launched during the 618 shopping festival [2] - The cumulative filing of "next-use" products reached 6,518 by June 17, 2025, with 5,653 specifically for next-use essences [2] - In the first five months of 2025, 21 out of 24 newly launched next-use products were essences, accounting for over 87% [2] Product Development - The next-use essence market is diversifying, with brands like OLAY and Proya focusing on specific skin issues such as anti-aging and acne treatment [4] - Key ingredients in next-use essences include recombinant collagen, with some products featuring multiple types for targeted anti-aging effects [4] - The introduction of next-use formats is expanding beyond essences to include sunscreen, makeup removers, and even men's skincare products [5] Consumer Demand - Consumer education around next-use essences is maturing, and brands are encouraged to create unique advantages to stand out in a competitive market [5] - The convenience and hygiene of next-use products are appealing to consumers, especially for those with sensitive skin or post-medical treatment needs [5][6] - Social media engagement around next-use products is significant, with topics related to them generating over 1.7 billion views on platforms like Xiaohongshu [9] Industry Challenges - Some industry experts express concerns about the environmental impact of next-use packaging, which often relies on plastic materials [10] - There is a debate about the necessity of next-use formats for all products, with some suggesting that not all formulations require such packaging [10][11] - The industry is exploring more sustainable packaging options to address environmental concerns while maintaining the convenience of next-use products [10]