创业邦·2025-06-14 03:07Core Viewpoint - The luxury skincare brands Helena and La Mer are facing significant challenges in reputation and sales in the Chinese market, despite their high rankings in sales during the 618 shopping festival. The brands are struggling with consumer perception and declining sales figures, indicating a shift in consumer preferences towards domestic brands and efficacy-driven products [4][9][48]. Group 1: Sales Performance and Market Position - Helena and La Mer ranked first and fourth respectively in the Douyin pre-sale rankings during the 618 shopping festival, and sixth and eighth on Tmall's sales list [9]. - Despite strong sales during promotional events, both brands are experiencing a decline in sales in China, with Helena's high-end cosmetics division showing the lowest growth rate within L'Oréal Group [9][48]. - La Mer's parent company, Estée Lauder, reported a year-over-year revenue decline of 7% and 12% in Q3 and Q4 of 2024, attributing this to decreased sales of La Mer and Estée Lauder products [9]. Group 2: Consumer Sentiment and Brand Perception - Consumers have criticized Helena for canceling orders due to pricing errors and La Mer for its simplified packaging during promotions, leading to a perception of diminished brand prestige [4][9]. - The luxury skincare market is witnessing a shift as consumers increasingly question the value of high-priced products, with many turning to medical beauty and clinic-based skincare solutions [10][12][20]. Group 3: Strategic Shifts and Brand Management - High-end brands are strategically abandoning entry-level consumers and focusing on high-value customers, often resulting in price increases for their products [16][18]. - Helena and La Mer have attempted to expand their reach to middle-tier consumers through collaborations with influencers and short video content, successfully attracting new customers from lower-tier cities [17][18]. - However, the loyalty of high-value consumers in first-tier cities is declining, as traditional brand storytelling and marketing strategies are becoming less effective [18][23]. Group 4: Pricing and Quality Control Issues - The luxury skincare brands are facing a chaotic pricing structure, with significant discounts available through various channels, undermining their premium image [27][28]. - Reports indicate that both brands are struggling with quality control, leading to consumer dissatisfaction and a perception of declining product quality [34][36]. Group 5: Internal Challenges and Strategic Direction - The decision-making power of the China divisions of L'Oréal and Estée Lauder has historically been limited, affecting their ability to respond to market changes effectively [39][40]. - Recent organizational changes within Estée Lauder have aimed to grant more autonomy to the China division, but the effectiveness of these changes remains to be seen [40][48].