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KKV母公司再起诉名创优品不当竞争
Guan Cha Zhe Wang· 2025-08-20 03:14
Core Viewpoint - The recent legal developments in the trademark dispute between KK Group and its competitors highlight the ongoing challenges in the beauty retail sector, particularly regarding brand identity and competition [1][6][7]. Group 1: Legal Developments - KK Group's parent company has initiated a lawsuit against Miniso and other companies for unfair competition, with a recent court ruling confirming that Aixin Technology's actions in registering the "THE COLORIST" trademark abroad constitute unfair competition [1][6]. - The case has progressed through various legal stages, including pre-litigation mediation and jurisdictional appeals, and is set to enter the civil trial phase on September 1 [1]. - KK Group has faced challenges in protecting its trademark, having filed opposition and invalidation procedures against Aixin Technology's trademark application since November 2019, ultimately leading to a lawsuit in September 2023 [7]. Group 2: Brand and Market Position - KK Group is recognized as one of the earliest entrants in the beauty collection store market in China, launching its brand "THE COLORIST" in September 2019, which has rapidly expanded to 243 stores nationwide [12][14]. - "THE COLORIST" offers a wide range of beauty products, featuring over 2800 SKUs and a unique store design that emphasizes a pink visual theme and a 1:1 free try-on service [12]. - Miniso's "WOW COLOUR" brand, established in January 2020, shares similarities with "THE COLORIST" in its focus on experiential retail and has a product selection that leans towards domestic brands [14]. Group 3: Financial and Investment Background - KK Group has attracted significant investment, completing seven rounds of financing between 2016 and 2021, with notable participation from well-known venture capital firms [15]. - Despite its growth and market position, KK Group has faced challenges in its IPO attempts, having made four unsuccessful attempts to list on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange between 2021 and 2024 [16]. - In 2022, KK Group ranked among the top three in China's lifestyle retail sector, following Watsons and Miniso [16].
美妆巨头KK集团状告名创优品下月开庭
Nan Fang Du Shi Bao· 2025-08-18 23:17
Core Viewpoint - KK Group is involved in a legal dispute with Miniso regarding trademark infringement and unfair competition related to its brand "THE COLORIST," which is set to be heard in court on September 1. This case is significant for intellectual property protection in the beauty retail industry [2][4]. Company Overview - KK Group, established in 2015, is a leading new retail enterprise in China, owning multiple brands including "THE COLORIST," "KKV," and X11. The company has expanded to over 1,000 stores across more than 200 cities globally, including locations in Singapore, Thailand, and Malaysia [2][3]. Legal Background - The dispute began in 2019 when KK Group's brand "THE COLORIST" was registered by "Axin Technology" in China and by "Shenzhen Falaisheng" in several overseas countries, both of which are linked to Miniso. KK Group opened its first stores in Guangzhou and Shenzhen on September 26, 2019, quickly gaining recognition as a leading beauty retail brand [3][4]. Previous Legal Actions - Since 2020, KK Group has taken legal actions to protect its trademarks. The Beijing High People's Court ruled in favor of KK Group, stating that the registration by the infringing party constituted "unfair means of registration," leading to the cancellation of the trademark. Additionally, the Nanjing Intermediate People's Court found that Miniso's "WOW COLOUR" store design was highly similar to "THE COLORIST," ordering a cessation of infringement and a compensation of 2 million yuan [4][5]. Industry Context - The beauty retail sector in China has seen explosive growth, with the market size reaching 13 billion yuan in 2021 and projected to exceed 40 billion yuan by 2025. However, the industry faces challenges of homogenization, with many brands adopting similar business models and store designs, making it difficult for consumers to distinguish between them [5][6]. Market Trends - Recent reports indicate a slowdown in growth within the beauty retail sector, with some brands closing stores due to poor management. For instance, Sasa International announced the closure of its last 18 stores in mainland China in June 2025. In the first half of 2025, at least 34 domestic and international brands announced closures or exits from the Chinese market [6].
9月1日法庭见!KK集团起诉名创优品
Guo Ji Jin Rong Bao· 2025-08-18 13:49
Core Viewpoint - The trademark dispute between KK Group and Miniso is set to be heard in court on September 1, highlighting ongoing legal battles in the new retail sector [2] Group 1: Background of the Dispute - The dispute originated in 2019 when KK Group's beauty retail brand "THE COLORIST" faced trademark registration issues in China and abroad, allegedly linked to Miniso [3] - KK Group initiated legal action in 2020 to protect its trademark rights, resulting in favorable court rulings against the trademark registrations by associated companies of Miniso [3] Group 2: KK Group's Business Development - KK Group was founded in 2015 and has rapidly expanded its brand portfolio, launching several retail brands including "KKV" and "X11" [4][5] - The company has raised over 4 billion yuan through multiple funding rounds, with significant investments from notable firms, including a recent $300 million round led by JD.com [6] Group 3: Financial Performance - KK Group's revenue showed growth from 16.46 billion yuan in 2020 to 47.69 billion yuan in 2023, with a turnaround to profitability in 2023 [6][7] - The average monthly GMV per store reached 734,000 yuan in 2023, reflecting a 43.8% year-on-year increase [7] - Despite the growth in revenue, the number of franchise stores has declined significantly, from 424 in 2020 to just 109 by October 2023 [7]
美妆巨头纠纷再起!KK集团诉名创优品不正当竞争案9月开庭
Nan Fang Du Shi Bao· 2025-08-14 14:40
Core Viewpoint - The KK Group is suing Miniso and its affiliates for trademark infringement and unfair competition regarding its brand "THE COLORIST," with the trial set for September 1, which could significantly impact intellectual property protection in the beauty retail industry [2][3]. Company Dynamics - KK Group, established in 2015, operates multiple brands including "THE COLORIST," "KKV," and X11, and has expanded to over 1,000 stores across more than 200 cities globally, including locations in Singapore, Thailand, and Malaysia [7]. - The company has been actively pursuing legal actions against trademark infringement since 2019, achieving partial victories in previous cases [3][6]. - KK Group has submitted its IPO application to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange four times since November 2021, with the latest application now expired, but the company states that the IPO process is progressing as planned [7]. Industry Overview - The beauty retail sector in China has seen explosive growth, with the market size reaching 130 billion yuan in 2021 and projected to exceed 400 billion yuan by 2025 [5]. - The rapid expansion has led to increased competition and a rise in trademark disputes due to the high degree of similarity among brands, making it difficult for consumers to distinguish between them [5][6]. - The industry has experienced a slowdown in growth, with many brands closing stores or exiting the market, including the closure of 18 stores by Sa Sa International in mainland China by June 2025 [6].