Core Insights - L'Oréal introduced the "New Age Beauty" concept at the 2025 IMCAS China Conference, representing a structural redefinition of beauty that connects longevity with beauty through scientific health, cultural understanding, and socio-economic dimensions [1][3] Group 1: Market Trends - The aging population in China is projected to reach nearly 40% by 2060, prompting a shift in societal perceptions of beauty and aging [3] - 91% of consumers believe age is just a number, and 77% are willing to try new things at an older age, indicating a growing acceptance of aging [3] Group 2: Consumer Behavior - Consumers are increasingly using social media and e-commerce to enhance their understanding of products, considering brand credibility, product quality, and age compatibility in their purchasing decisions [3] - Factors such as product texture, absorption, and fragrance are becoming critical decision-making elements for this demographic when choosing beauty products [3] Group 3: Global Perspective - L'Oréal recognizes the diversity in beauty standards across different countries, with varying focuses on issues like wrinkles, skin laxity, and pigmentation [5] - The company emphasizes the importance of skin health for achieving vibrant aging and plans to offer integrated skin management solutions based on the understanding of diversity [5] Group 4: Company Overview - Founded in 1909 and headquartered in Paris, L'Oréal entered the Chinese market in 1997 and currently operates 32 brands, a research and innovation center, and two factories in Suzhou and Yichang [5] - China is now L'Oréal's second-largest market globally and serves as a key hub for the North Asia beauty sector [5]

Group 1: Instant Retail Trends - The instant retail lifestyle has gained popularity among consumers, especially during travel, leading to increased sales of various products [1] - During the "May Day" holiday, sales of travel-related products saw significant growth: sunscreen orders increased by 145%, swimming goggles by 152%, women's swimsuits by 115%, outdoor items like picnic mats and tents by 140% and 120% respectively [1] Group 2: L'Oréal's Supply Chain Innovations - L'Oréal showcased its supply chain capabilities at the China International Supply Chain Promotion Expo, highlighting its ability to process over 7,000 consumer orders per hour [3] - The company ensures smooth delivery even during peak promotional periods, with 99% of direct mail packages delivered within an average of 2.4 days [3] - L'Oréal's supply chain agility is crucial for managing a vast array of products, with over 32 beauty brands and thousands of products generating a high volume of daily orders [3] Group 3: Digital Transformation in Cosmetics - L'Oréal announced an upgraded strategic partnership with the China Barcode Technology and Application Association to enhance the digital identity of beauty products [4] - The adoption of QR code technology is transforming operational efficiency in the cosmetics industry, reducing inventory turnover days and improving order delivery rates [4] - The implementation of unique digital identities for each cosmetic product allows for better traceability and quality improvements across the supply chain [4] Group 4: Expo Participation - The expo featured over 650 domestic and international exhibitors, with 35% being foreign participants, and a 15% increase in American exhibitors compared to the previous year [4] - More than 230 companies participated for the first time, showcasing over 100 new products [4]

Core Insights - The third China International Supply Chain Promotion Expo showcased L'Oréal's commitment to innovation and development in the beauty supply chain [1][2] - L'Oréal emphasizes the importance of collaboration with local partners to enhance operational efficiency and sustainability in China [1][2] Group 1: Company Strategy - L'Oréal's North Asia and China Public Affairs President highlighted the expo as a platform for deep dialogue and joint innovation with supply chain partners [1] - The company launched its first smart operations center in Suzhou, capable of processing over 7,000 direct-to-consumer orders per hour, reflecting its focus on emotional value for consumers [1] - L'Oréal has established strong connections with over 1 billion Chinese consumers through its 32 brands, optimizing its local supply chain system [1] Group 2: Supply Chain Collaboration - L'Oréal collaborates with over 1,600 local suppliers, enabling them to expand their business into markets like South Korea, Japan, France, and the United States [1] - The company aims to drive innovation among small and medium-sized enterprises in the supply chain, turning local innovations into global solutions [1] - A strategic cooperation agreement was signed with the China Barcode Technology and Application Association to enhance the application guidelines for beauty product barcodes, promoting traceability in the global supply chain [1] Group 3: Market Position - China is identified as L'Oréal's second-largest market and a strategic hub for innovation, with the company committed to continuous investment in the region [1][2] - The company believes that the future of the beauty industry relies on collaborative efforts rather than isolated initiatives, aiming for a sustainable and inclusive beauty ecosystem [2]

Group 1 - The importance of supply chain responsiveness in the beauty industry is highlighted, with L'Oréal emphasizing that even small products like lipsticks can have significant impacts [1] - L'Oréal has localized its supply chain in China, connecting with over 1,600 local suppliers, which has allowed Chinese innovations to reach a global audience [1] - The collaboration with Chinese company Chuangyuan Cosmetics since 2014 has led to the successful application of innovative formulas in various international brands, expanding their market reach [1] Group 2 - L'Oréal aims to drive innovation among small and medium enterprises in the supply chain through its "Big Bang Beauty Tech Co-Creation Program," which has attracted over 2,000 local innovative companies [2] - Walmart is promoting its global e-commerce platform to encourage more Chinese sellers to join, offering tailored support for larger sellers [2] - Walmart's global e-commerce has been actively recruiting third-party sellers, including Chinese suppliers, since 2021, establishing offices in 11 cities in China to facilitate this process [3]

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights significant personnel changes in the beauty industry, indicating a shift towards a research-driven, globalized, and organizationally transformed competitive landscape, with three main focal points: the emergence of new roles, expanded responsibilities for foreign beauty giants in the Chinese market, and widespread organizational restructuring [2][3][26]. Group 1: Emergence of New Roles - Over 75 key positions have changed among 25 leading beauty companies in the first half of 2025, with a notable rise in roles focused on digitalization, research, innovation, and marketing communication, reflecting the industry's future direction [2][6]. - Estee Lauder has created three new positions, including Chief Digital and Marketing Officer, Global Scientific Sleep Advisor, and President of the Makeup Brand Group, indicating a strategic shift towards integrating scientific expertise into product development [8][10]. - L'Oreal has appointed a Chief Innovation and Strategic Outlook Officer to oversee innovation teams and strategic foresight, emphasizing the importance of future-oriented innovation in the beauty sector [12]. Group 2: Expanded Responsibilities in the Chinese Market - International beauty companies are elevating their China market leaders to global decision-making roles, marking a significant shift in strategic positioning [14][24]. - Estee Lauder's new CEO has made substantial adjustments, including promoting the China President to the global management team, breaking previous decision-making chains [15][16]. - Shiseido has appointed a dual-role CEO for China and travel retail, merging management of these two growth engines to maximize synergies [17][19]. Group 3: Organizational Restructuring - The beauty industry is undergoing a deep transformation, moving from high growth to high-quality growth, as evidenced by widespread organizational changes [3][26]. - Companies are restructuring their organizational frameworks to enhance the integration of research and market strategies, with a focus on consumer needs [36][37]. - Estee Lauder's new strategy involves a significant operational transformation, restructuring brands by categories for better management and growth [31][34].

Core Viewpoint - L'Oréal introduced the "Beauty of Longevity" concept at the 2025 IMCAS China Conference, emphasizing the integration of science and aesthetics in the beauty industry [1][5]. Group 1: New Concept of "Beauty of Longevity" - The "Beauty of Longevity" concept represents a structural redefinition of beauty, focusing on three dimensions: scientific health, cultural perception, and socio-economic factors [3][4]. Group 2: Scientific Health - Advances in science have ushered humanity into an unprecedented era of longevity, reshaping perceptions of beauty and aging. L'Oréal's approach has evolved from symptom improvement to root cause intervention, emphasizing lifelong beauty [4][7]. Group 3: Cultural Perception - The current societal view of beauty is often limited, with a narrow focus on youth. L'Oréal advocates for a broader understanding of beauty that embraces aging as a valuable experience rather than a limitation [4][7]. Group 4: Socio-Economic Factors - As the aging society becomes more prominent, new demands and challenges arise. L'Oréal likens the "Beauty of Longevity" to a tree, where scientific health is the roots, cultural perception is the trunk, and socio-economic factors are the leaves [4][5]. Group 5: Forum Insights - The roundtable forum titled "Longevity Revolution: New Frontiers in Beauty Science" highlighted L'Oréal's commitment to addressing aging at its biological roots, utilizing advanced AI diagnostic tools to detect early signs of skin aging [5][7].

Core Insights - The Chinese market is not only a "fulcrum" for L'Oréal's global supply chain but also a "window" for driving growth among global partners [1] - L'Oréal has been deeply engaged in the Chinese market for nearly 30 years, establishing strong connections with over 1 billion Chinese consumers through its 32 brands [1][3] - The rise of "self-value" among consumers indicates a shift from functional to emotional resonance in beauty product consumption, necessitating brands to enhance their supply chain capabilities [2] Industry Trends - The Chinese beauty market is becoming a significant force in leading global beauty transformations, with consumers increasingly seeking personalized, experiential, and sustainable products [3] - The digital ecosystem, social media environment, and e-commerce platforms in China are fostering new consumption models and accelerating industry changes [3] - L'Oréal is committed to long-term investments in China, having established two smart operation centers in Suzhou and Nantong, which emphasize automation, digitalization, and sustainability [3]

Core Viewpoint - L'Oréal participated in the 3rd China International Supply Chain Promotion Expo, showcasing its commitment to innovation and collaboration in the beauty industry supply chain [1][4]. Group 1: Exhibition Highlights - L'Oréal's theme for the expo was "Connecting Chains, Beautiful Echoes," emphasizing its focus on consumer-centric supply chain systems [1]. - The company set up three major exhibition areas: "Linking Beautiful Life," "Linking Beautiful Ecology," and "Linking Beautiful World," each highlighting different aspects of its supply chain innovations [2]. Group 2: Employment and Economic Impact - L'Oréal operates 32 beauty brands in China and has established a logistics network that serves over 100 million consumers, supported by production and operational centers [2]. - According to Asterès, for every job created by L'Oréal in China, 20 additional jobs are generated across the value chain, promoting employment and industry collaboration [2]. Group 3: Strategic Partnerships - A strategic cooperation agreement was signed between L'Oréal and the China Barcode Technology and Application Association to enhance the digitalization of the cosmetics supply chain [3]. - The partnership aims to develop a comprehensive digital system for the entire industry chain, improving supply chain efficiency and accelerating the visualization process [3]. Group 4: Future Directions - L'Oréal aims to continue focusing on consumer needs and leveraging its end-to-end operational layout in China to respond to diverse demands with agility [4]. - The company plans to enhance consumer experiences through innovative technologies, ensuring that millions of Chinese consumers can enjoy the benefits of beauty products anytime and anywhere [4].

Core Insights - The beauty brand competition on various platforms has intensified, with brands needing to adapt to changing consumer preferences and marketing strategies to survive in the market [1][21][29] Group 1: Douyin Platform Insights - 215 beauty and skincare brands achieved a GMV of over 100 million yuan on Douyin in the first half of 2025 [1] - The top 10 brands in terms of sales include both domestic and international brands, with notable names like 韩束 (Hanshu), 珀莱雅 (Proya), and 欧莱雅 (L'Oreal) [1][5] - Domestic brands such as 谷雨 (Guyu), 自然堂 (Naturally), and 丸美 (Marubi) have shown steady sales growth due to precise product positioning and marketing strategies [5][15] Group 2: Tmall Platform Insights - The top 20 skincare brands on Tmall accounted for 46.2% of the total category GMV, while the top 20 makeup and perfume brands accounted for 39.53% [10] - The presence of domestic brands in the top 20 has decreased compared to the previous year, with brands like 珀莱雅 (Proya) and 自然堂 (Naturally) losing their positions [10][11] - International brands such as 欧莱雅 (L'Oreal), 兰蔻 (Lancôme), and 雅诗兰黛 (Estée Lauder) have maintained strong positions, with some showing upward trends in rankings [11][14] Group 3: JD Platform Insights - JD's beauty sales exceeded 13.32 billion yuan in the first four months of 2025, with a projected total sales of over 30 billion yuan for the first half of the year [21][27] - International beauty brands dominate the rankings on JD, with no domestic brands appearing in the top five during major promotional events [25][27] - The growth of beauty products on JD has been significant, with some categories seeing sales increases of over 500% during promotional events [27][28] Group 4: Market Trends and Strategies - The competition among beauty brands is characterized by the need for tailored strategies that align with the unique ecosystems and user preferences of each platform [29] - Brands like MEICHIC and 蒂洛薇 (Tilowei) have achieved explosive growth on Douyin through innovative marketing strategies involving influencers and live streaming [29] - The overall beauty market in 2025 is expected to continue evolving, with brands needing to understand platform-specific dynamics to thrive [29]

Core Viewpoint - The article emphasizes the transformation of the "Interesting Youth" initiative by L'Oréal China into a future-oriented empowerment platform, focusing on the intersection of technology and beauty, particularly through the lens of AI innovation [2][19][22]. Group 1: Initiative Overview - L'Oréal China's "Interesting Youth" project, which has been ongoing for 22 years, is being upgraded to a platform that empowers young people to participate in defining beauty [2][19]. - The "Tech for Good" theme of the "Tech Big Fun" hackathon aims to leverage AI capabilities to redefine beauty [5][15]. - The hackathon is the first of its kind in China's beauty industry, targeting AI-related innovation talents and blending creativity with technical skills [2][5]. Group 2: Hackathon Details - The hackathon culminated in a final event in Shanghai, where six AI creative teams presented their projects, showcasing their understanding of beauty and technology [5][6]. - The winning project, "Smart Guarding Beauty," developed a multi-agent system for risk assessment and compliance in new product development [10]. - Other notable projects included an AI skincare advisor and a data analysis tool for beauty industry operations, reflecting a diverse range of technological applications [11][12]. Group 3: Youth Empowerment and Engagement - The initiative aims to dismantle biases around beauty, asserting that everyone has the right to participate in defining it [12][20]. - L'Oréal's approach has evolved from merely providing assistance to empowering youth to take control and express their creativity [18][23]. - The platform encourages a culture of experimentation and acceptance of failure, allowing young people to explore their ideas without rigid standards [23][24]. Group 4: Broader Implications - The "Essentiality of Beauty" project aims to redefine beauty as a multidimensional value that encompasses culture, technology, and responsibility [25]. - The hackathon serves as a practical demonstration of this new understanding of beauty, integrating emotional and rational elements through technology [27]. - L'Oréal's strategy reflects a shift from a consumer-centric model to one that fosters co-creation and deeper understanding of beauty among the younger generation [24][27].