Core Insights - The beauty industry has undergone significant changes over the past five years, with a slowdown in overall performance and increased competition among leading companies [1] - Many international beauty groups, including L'Oréal and Unilever, are optimizing their product portfolios and divesting underperforming brands, with over 50 beauty brands being sold off in the past year [3] - Six of the top ten global beauty companies have implemented layoffs to reduce costs and improve efficiency, leading to frequent personnel changes within management [4] Management Changes - A wave of CEO changes has swept through major beauty companies in response to industry shifts and regional challenges, with over 30 executive changes reported among leading firms in 2025 [7][32] - Newly appointed CEOs often have extensive experience within their companies, with many having worked for over 30 years, while external hires typically come from Procter & Gamble or L'Oréal [8][13] - The majority of new CEOs possess experience in the Chinese market, aligning their skills with the current strategic focus of their companies [8][22] Strategic Focus - Major beauty companies are concentrating on core brands and high-potential markets, with Unilever and Shiseido focusing on their top brands while divesting underperforming ones [51][52] - The trend of appointing Indian-origin executives reflects the industry's need for leaders with global perspectives and cross-cultural operational capabilities, particularly as companies look to expand in the Indian market [40][41] Financial Performance - Early signs of recovery are emerging, with Unilever projecting savings of approximately €650 million (around ¥5.29 billion) for 2025, despite a 3.5% decline in overall revenue [55] - L'Oréal's high-end beauty brands are experiencing double-digit sales growth, indicating a positive response to strategic shifts [56] - Estée Lauder reported a 9% increase in net sales in the Chinese market, highlighting the effectiveness of its strategic focus on this key region [59]