Summary of the Conference Call on the Beauty Product Innovation Framework Industry Overview - The discussion centers around the beauty industry, specifically focusing on the innovation framework for beauty products and the competitive dynamics within the sector [1][2]. Core Points and Arguments 1. **Organizational Capability**: Organizational ability is identified as the core of competitive strength in the beauty industry. Companies that prioritize consumer insights and maintain high operational efficiency are more likely to succeed [1][2][7]. 2. **Consumer Insights**: Understanding consumer needs and providing differentiated solutions is crucial for product success. This is particularly important in the beauty sector, where demand is often artificially created [2][5]. 3. **Marketing and Channel Strategy**: Strong marketing departments are essential for brand strategy, product development, and marketing planning. Companies like Procter & Gamble and L'Oréal exemplify effective marketing strategies that integrate consumer needs into their overall approach [2][5][8]. 4. **Data Feedback Mechanism**: Effective data collection and feedback mechanisms enhance the success rate of new product launches. Companies should integrate data from various departments to support innovation decisions [3][5]. 5. **Product Iteration and Innovation**: Continuous product improvement is vital for market performance. For instance, the Ruby Cream achieved significant sales growth during the Double Eleven shopping festival due to iterative enhancements in its formulation and texture [6][18]. 6. **Short-term Sales Drivers**: In the short term, channel and marketing strategies have the most significant impact on product sales. As channel advantages diminish, refined operations become increasingly important [8][9]. 7. **Brand Building in Content E-commerce**: The shift to content-driven e-commerce necessitates a focus on influencer marketing. Brands must evaluate their ability to select and structure influencer partnerships effectively [10][11]. 8. **KOL Matrix**: Establishing an effective Key Opinion Leader (KOL) matrix is crucial for enhancing brand influence. This involves identifying rising influencers and ensuring a balanced representation across different tiers of influencers [11][13]. 9. **Content Capability**: The ability to create engaging content that resonates with target consumers is essential for attracting and converting sales. Brands must align their content with consumer profiles and current trends [14][15]. 10. **Sustained Investment in Innovation**: Continuous investment in innovative products is necessary for long-term success. For example, the early C and late A series from Proya saw sales growth due to sustained marketing efforts [16][17]. 11. **Competitive Dimensions in Skincare**: The skincare market is primarily competitive in terms of price, category, and efficacy. Successful products must excel in all three dimensions to meet diverse consumer needs [18][19]. 12. **Types of Innovation**: Innovation in the beauty industry can be categorized into form innovation and sensory experience innovation. Form innovation attracts consumers through packaging changes, while sensory experience innovation enhances user satisfaction [20][21]. 13. **Efficacy Innovation**: Efficacy-driven innovation is critical for brand competitiveness. This includes innovations in active ingredients and new mechanisms for skincare benefits, such as anti-aging solutions [22][23]. Other Important Insights - Companies with a background in professional channels or raw materials tend to succeed more easily due to their resource accumulation and credibility [15]. - The competitive landscape varies significantly across different price segments, with the 200-300 RMB range being particularly competitive, while the 0-100 RMB segment remains relatively untapped [19]. - Brands can leverage successful high-value products to extend their product lines, thereby increasing market reach and sales [24].

Core Insights - The global beauty industry is projected to exceed $677 billion by 2025, indicating strong growth, while the Chinese cosmetics market is undergoing significant structural changes, moving away from reliance on single blockbuster products or marketing gimmicks to a focus on genuine brand strength [1][2]. Market Performance - The Chinese cosmetics retail market is expected to maintain moderate growth in the first half of 2025, with retail sales reaching 2.291 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 2.9%, although this is below the overall retail growth rate of 5.0% [2][4]. - International beauty giants are facing pressure in the Chinese market, with L'Oréal leading with sales of 186.19 billion yuan, a 3% increase year-on-year, while Estée Lauder reported a 10.88% decline in net sales, marking its lowest sales in five years [4][6]. Domestic Brand Performance - Domestic brands are showing resilience, with the retail scale of the Chinese cosmetics market reaching 1.0738 trillion yuan in 2024, and domestic brands capturing 55.2% of the market share [6][8]. - The top ten domestic beauty companies reported a total revenue growth of 11.72% in the first half of 2025, with Proya, Shiseido, and Shanghai Jahwa leading the rankings [7][8]. Consumer Trends - The beauty market is witnessing a shift towards rational consumption, with consumers increasingly sensitive to price and favoring cost-effective products. The sales of beauty and skincare products reached 235.23 billion yuan in the first half of 2025, a 10.1% increase year-on-year [12][13]. - The anti-aging market is experiencing significant growth, with total sales reaching 65.49 billion yuan, a 30.3% increase year-on-year, and the demand for anti-aging products is expanding to younger demographics [13][14]. Brand Strategies - Brands are increasingly adopting multi-brand strategies to address diverse consumer needs, moving from a single product focus to a more comprehensive brand matrix [14][19]. - Investment in research and development is on the rise among leading domestic brands, with a focus on building technological barriers and enhancing product efficacy [15][16]. Marketing and Distribution - Douyin (TikTok) has solidified its position as a growth engine for the beauty industry, with daily views of beauty videos exceeding 2.5 billion, reflecting a shift towards more refined and systematic marketing strategies [17][18]. - The competition is evolving from a focus on single-channel strategies to an integrated approach that balances online and offline resources, emphasizing the importance of brand experience and customer loyalty [18][19].