Reaching out to Chinese Beauties

This article was published in COSSMA Edition October 2018

The Chinese market is as attractive as ever for imported cosmetic products. The accumulated Chinese import of cosmetics amounted to 110,6 thousand tons in 20171 and was a YoY increase of 17.4%. The total value of the imported cosmetics was approximately 740 million Euro in 2017, an increase of 47% compared to 2016. The biggest trend for the cosmetics market is the unstoppable increase of online and mobile sales of cosmetics and the increased importance of social media for product information…

Video Interview – The Chinese market for SPA-cosmetics

We all know the Chinese market is huge yet challenging for skin care products. Winning the Chinese market for SPAs and beauty salons is even more difficult. The main challenge here is the huge amount of studios in various sizes. It’s essential to find an appropriate sales strategy to cover and win as many potential customers as possible. One huge difference to normal skin care products is the target group. While the target group of normal skin care products is the end consumer, cosmetics for SPA and beauty salons should convince the owners of the institutions first, who are highly professional and demanding in terms of product functionalities and brand images.

Digital Marketing in China

Video Interview – How to get the product registration for baby skin care products in China?

More than 18 Mio babies were born since the establishment of the “two-children policy” in China end of 2015. The market for health products for babies is booming. Many parents trust imported products due to expected higher product safety. The market for high quality skin care products for babies and young kids increases considerably. On the other hand the registration for baby skin care products is very complex. Every year there are not more than a hand full brands which can get their products registered. Even we had to learn our lesson once several years ago. Since then we’ve being investing a lot in trainings and have helped a number of brands with product registration for their baby skin care products. We are glad to see these brands thriving on the Chinese market, almost immediately after getting the product registrations.

How can cosmetic brands benefit from the Chinese market?

This article is published in the November and December Edition of Euro Cosmetics.

The Chinese consumer market has been experiencing huge changes in the last few years. For China, the time as pure exporting nation ended a few years ago. China was the second biggest import nation after the USA in 2016 as well as in 2015. Private consumption contributed around 41% to the total GDP growth between 2010 and 2015. China is becoming a real consume oriented society with a large variety of consumer groups and interests…

This article is available in English. Please contact us for the full version.

Video Interview - Chinese Market for Imported Cosmetics

During my business trip in Beijing end of November 2017 I had a chance to discuss the Chinese market for imported cosmetics with a good friend and an absolute market specialist Mrs. Hellen Li Liu. She is the editor in chief of China Cosmetic Review, a well-known magazine for cosmetics and supply industry. She has more than 20 years of industrial experiences.

We met each other through a project and became friends. Every time when I’m in Beijing we have dinner together and exchange market information. I’m very impressed by her experience and market insight. This time during our dinner in a busy restaurant in Beijing I decided to do a spontaneous interview with her.

Aromatherapie und Duftlehre im Reich der Mitte

This Artikel was published in Kosmetik International September 2017 Edtion.

Der Kosmetikmarkt in China hat sich in den letzten 30 Jahren extrem weiterentwickelt. Es gab kein einziges Jahr, wo es kein absolutes Wachstum im Vergleich zum Vorjahr gab. Insgesamt wird 2017 mit einem Marktvolumen von ca.9,5 Mrd. Euro gerechnet. Bis 2021 soll das Marktvolumen 163,5Mrd. Euro betragen*. Hautpflegeprodukte und dekorative Kosmetikprodukte machen den größten Teil des gesamten Marktvolumens aus. Obwohl viele Fachleute auch von einem Boom bei Parfümprodukten sprechen, hat dieses Produktsegment noch einen sehr geringen Marktanteil. Heißt es, dass die chinesischen Konsumenten keine Duftprodukte mögen und Duftprodukte kein Marktpotential in China haben? Die Antwort ist ein klares „Doch!“.

K-Beauty going strong in China

This article was published in COSSMA 11/2016.

China is the second-biggest market for cosmetic products worldwide; therefore, it is a very desirable market for cosmetic brands from abroad. While many brands from North America and Europe started tapping the Chinese market decades ago, cosmetics from Korea have been entering the market just in the past few years. In spite of this, they have turned into the silent winners of the strong market competition.

China: back to the roots - Application of traditional TCM herbs in cosmetics

This article was published in COSSMA 7-8/2016.

Launching vegan and plant based cosmetics is a trend that has become very popular in Europe recently, even though the ideas of a plant-based diet and cosmetics are actually not a new invention. In ancient China people were fully aware of the positive effects that numerous plants and herbs have on beauty. There were indications of herbal cosme- tics as early as in the Qin and Han dynasty more than two thousand years ago.

The latest product trends in China

This article was published in COSSMA 11/2013.

According to Chinese import statistics the amount of European cosmetics imported from January to April 2013 was valued at about 200 million US$, a slight fall of 1.8% compared with the previous year. Imports from Europe, at 50%, have the lion’s share of Chinese cosmetics imports. Imports of cosmetics from Japan have fallen by more than 17% compared with the previous year.

A new year, new chances - The Chinese market for cosmetics

This article was published in COSSMA 03/2013.

Imported brands were able to take advantage of the fact that import tariffs were reduced at the beginning of 2012. Because salaries and material costs increased during 2012 imported cosmetic products were effectively increased in price by 5 to 10 percent. This price increase was nevertheless reasonably well accepted by the consumers. Despite expectations of a further increase the negative global economic situation in 2013 will be a real challenge for local Chinese manufacturers.

Product Registration in China - Children Skin Care Products

This article was published in Euro Cosmetics 1/2/2016.

Cosmetic products produced out of China need to be registered first before they can be sold officially and physically in China. Although there are now possibilities to sell the products without the product registration in China, for example selling the product online or via free trade zones in China, but getting the product registrations and export the products officially into the Chinese market is still the best way to really tap the full potential of the enormous Chinese market.

Natural cosmetics in China 2015

This evaluation was done for the „Naturkosmetik Branchenmonitor Jahresbericht 2015“.

Digital China: Online Business for Consumer Goods

This article was published in COSSMA 10/2015.

The triumphant appearance of online sales platforms in China will have tremendous potential in the future. Here you will find out the juicy details on this promising distribution channel and what to consider if you want to get involved with your brand.

The cosmetics market in Greater China: How to make the most of the market

This article was published in COSSMA 03/2015.

Do you know the differences between the cosmetics markets in China, Hong Kong and Taiwan? If not, then we will offer you here some valuable tips on how the huge potential of the market offered by Greater China can be better exploited.

Cosmetics Registration in China

This article was published in Euro Cosmetics 10/2014.

„…Sowohl chinesische als auch ausländische Kosmetikprodukthersteller müssen die Produkte vor dem Verkauf bei der dafür zuständigen Behörde, der China Food and Drug Administration (CFDA), anmelden. Dabei werden die Kosmetikprodukte in zwei Kategorien eingeteilt…“

China – will animal tests be prohibited in the near future?

Interview of „Naturkosmetik Jahrbuch 2014“ with Mei Gräfe about the current Chinese market for natural cosmetics.

China: Registration of cosmetics products - Additional requirements in the NEW REGULATIONS

This article was published in COSSMA 03/2012.

Within the Chinese cosmetics regulations, which are still being extensively formulated, it may very well be the case that, due to a particular situation, existing legislation is extended to include new rules. At the end of 2011, following extensive changes in the registration process for cosmetics products, further regulations were added. Mei Graefe of Intergate Consulting tells us about some of the points to watch.

Opportunities in China for small to medium sized cosmetics companies: A successful approach to market entry

This article was published in COSSMA 04/2011.

The market in China for cosmetics products is booming. The China Association of Fragrance, Flavor and Cosmetic Industries has forecast industry sales in 2016 of 47 billion Euros. Some important points to note when planning to enter this market are pointed out by Mei Gräfe of Intergate Consulting.

China – A market with huge potential

This article was published in COSSMA 09/2010.

With a turnover of more than 16 billion Euros in 2009 the cosmetics sector is the 5th biggest commercial sector in China, after real estate, the motor industry, telecommunications and tourism. Mei Graefe of Intergate Consulting points out for us some of the particular features of the Chinese market.