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]