Retail News CRM

Tag: l’oreal

  • L’Oreal names Gemma Chan as its new brand ambassador

    L’Oreal names Gemma Chan as its new brand ambassador

    English actress Gemma Chan (陳靜) has been announced as L’Oréal Paris’s newest spokeswoman. Already a familiar face to many readers, from an extensive résumé dating back to the mid-2000s—Doctor Who, Sherlock, Secret Diary of a Call Girl, and Humans among her TV work—Chan was probably noticed more by US audiences when she appeared in Crazy Rich Asians in 2018, followed by Captain Marvel in 2019. Her role in the anthology series I Am, which she co-developed and where she played Hannah in the third entry (‘I Am Hannah’), was highly acclaimed. In December, Chan will star alongside Meryl Streep in Steven Soderbergh’s Let Them All Talk, and next year, in Eternals, another Marvel entry. She also founded her own production company, with the aim of promoting more minority voices.

    An Oxford University and Drama Centre London alumna, Chan has worked as an advocate for or supporter of numerous causes, including UNICEF, the Time’s Up movement, the Justice and Equality Fund, and Cook-19 supporting London health care workers.

    It is her rising international profile that seems to have L’Oréal Paris interested, especially with Chan venturing into blockbuster hits. Says its global brand president, Delphine Viguier-Hovasse, ‘Gemma Chan is proof of the success that happens when you have the confidence to follow your own dreams, and speak up for others to be able to follow theirs. Committed to her causes with innate female strength, she’s a source of inspiration beyond the screen, for young women to be the change. We’re delighted to welcome Gemma to the family.’ Chan added, ‘I’ve always believed that we should embrace our difference as our strength. So I’m thrilled to join L’Oréal Paris, a family of empowered women of all origins standing together to show the power and beauty of diversity. The L’Oréal Paris message to every woman, “Believe in your self-worth,” is as needed today as ever.’

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

  • L’Oreal turns to Google as coronavirus spurs virtual make-up shift

    L’Oreal turns to Google as coronavirus spurs virtual make-up shift

    Shoppers searching Google for cosmetics will be able to try them on virtually through a deal with L’Oreal, as the French group looks to make up for lost store sales caused by coronavirus lockdowns by expanding online.

    Maybelline maker L’Oreal, which returned to comparable sales growth in the third quarter when coronavirus restrictions eased, has sped up some of its web initiatives as a result of the pandemic, its digital chief Lubomira Rochet said.

    “There’s been an acceleration in all our partnerships due to COVID-19,” Rochet said in an online presentation on Thursday.

    The Google GOOGL.O partnership relies on technology designed by ModiFace, a Canadian augmented reality specialist acquired by L’Oreal in 2018, and will also extend to the U.S. group’s YouTube video sharing platform, Rochet said.

    People seeking lipsticks or eye shadows by L’Oreal brands, which include Lancome and Urban Decay, who come across their adverts on Google or YouTube can then try them online.

    YouTube is one of the go-to sites for cosmetics users who often seek out make-up tutorials online, or want to learn from others how to curl their hair.

    L’Oreal, which already had a ModiFace partnership with social media site Facebook FB.O, has seen the usage of virtual make-up tools rise fivefold during COVID-19 lockdowns this year, and the conversion rate from an advert to purchase was three times higher with the try-ons, Rochet said.

    Consumers used it to mimic hair dye colors in particular during coronavirus shutdowns, Rochet added.

    Many countries in Europe including France and Belgium have now re-entered lockdown, forcing beauty chains and hair salons to close, and hitting travel retail sales. Online sales of beauty products, especially in China, have made-up for part of the losses and Rochet expects half L’Oreal’s sales are likely to come from the web within the next three to seven years, up from around a quarter now.

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

  • L’Oreal to take over Prada beauty-products business

    L’Oreal to take over Prada beauty-products business

    Italian luxury fashion house Prada has appointed French cosmetics company L’Oreal to develop its fragrance business starting next month.

    According to reporting in the South China Morning Post, the deal is “the first step of a licensing agreement to run the Italian fashion house’s luxury beauty products”. It follows the firm’s decision to decline to renew its existing license with Puig.

    “We thought it was a good opportunity to select a new partner, also considering the possibility to develop new projects that today we are not ready to disclose,” read an email from Prada to the Post. “We chose L’Oreal because it’s the leading company in the beauty sector and we believe it will help us to further exploit our brand’s potential.”

    Prada’s sales are currently in decline in China, compared to sales growth for L’Oreal.

    “China is going to be an important target market for this Prada/L’Oreal deal in all aspects,” said global market research firm Mintel senior research analyst Alice Li. “China is now one of the most important luxury markets globally, with luxury beauty being the fastest-growing sector. Beauty products from Prada’s competitors, such as Chanel, YSL and Dior among others, and more recently Gucci, have resulted in a buying frenzy in China, especially among younger consumers. The expansion into beauty seems quite necessary now if Prada wants to further foster the young generation of Chinese luxury shoppers.”

  • L’Oréal and Cathay Innovation in support of Chinese beauty-tech startups

    L’Oréal and Cathay Innovation in support of Chinese beauty-tech startups

    French personal care company L’Oréal has inked a partnership with venture capital firm Cathay Innovation to aid Chinese beauty tech startups.

    The partnership between L’Oréal’s corporate venture capital fund Business Opportunities for L’Oréal Development (BOLD) and Cathay Innovation will support beauty-tech entrepreneurs in testing their innovations and accelerating their developments.

    “It will enable us to connect to the dynamic ecosystem of disruptive beauty-tech startups in China, a driving force in advanced technology and innovation. Our objective is to help young entrepreneurs by sharing L’Oréal’s expertise and experience in order to co-create the products and services of tomorrow,” says L’Oréal China president Fabrice Megarbane.

    Launched by Cathay Capital, Cathay Innovation invests in startups that are committed to the sustainable transformation of the world through innovation and technology in sectors ranging from e-commerce and consumer-centric digital platforms to fintech, health, new mobility and all segments of the artificial intelligence space. Among them is a solution provider for online and offline retailers in China, Shopal, and machine-learning platform for medical research Owkin.

    According to Cathay Capital founder and president Mingpo Cai, China is a breeding ground for innovation in the new uses of disruptive technology, and in particular in the world of beauty.

    “We will work to identify new emerging trends and collaborate with the most promising startups. Together with L’Oréal teams and visionary Chinese entrepreneurs, we will develop new innovations for consumers in China and the world at large.”

    With China as its second-largest market, L’Oréal reported 26.9 billion euros (US$29.8 billion) sales last year across its portfolio of 36 brands. The company launched the BOLD last year to take minority stakes in innovative companies and brands with high growth potential.

    Lees ook:

  • L’Oreal and Shopee partner to launch AI(R) powered beauty tools

    L’Oreal and Shopee partner to launch AI(R) powered beauty tools

    Shopee, the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan has teamed up with L’Oréal the world leader in beauty and skincare to roll out artificial intelligence (AI) and augmented reality (AR) powered tools on Shopee’s platform. The joint partnership demonstrates both Shopee’s and L’Oréal’s commitment to continuously innovate and power Southeast Asia’s beauty and skincare categories into the future, and to provide shoppers a convenient and personalised online shopping experience. The AI and AR powered tools will also benefit millions of users across Southeast Asia, especially digitally-savvy millennials who are drawn to innovation, creativity and a sense of self-discovery.

    With L’Oréal’s AI and AR powered tools, Shopee BeautyCam by ModiFace and the Effaclar Spotscan by La Roche-Posay, Shopee users are able to digitally try on different shades of L’Oréal’s lipsticks as well as receive personalised advice on the best L’Oréal skincare treatments to tackle acne. Users only need Shopee’s app and a front-facing camera on a mobile device to access these tools. The partnership also sees L’Oréal tapping into Shopee’s key interactive entertainment features such as Shopee LIVE and Shopee Slice to deepen consumer engagement.

    Ian Ho, Regional Managing Director, Shopee said, “We are excited to partner L’Oréal to bring these AI and AR powered tools to our platform. This partnership demonstrates our joint commitment to transform Southeast Asia’s beauty and skincare market with innovation and technology. With more consumers purchasing their beauty and skincare essentials with Shopee, we are confident that shoppers will enjoy a more personalised and seamless shopping experience with these digital innovation tools.”

    With more consumers entrusting mobile self-diagnostic tools to help uncover what best suits them,  the digital innovation tools, Shopee BeautyCam and Effaclar Spotscan on Shopee, will help consumers better understand their individual beauty and skincare needs as they shop online. With more than 95% of Shopee’s transactions occurring on mobile across the region, the partnership promises shoppers a seamless mobile shopping experience, from the use of L’Oréal’s mobile AI and AR powered tools to discover products, to delivering the products right to their doorstep. The launch of these digital innovation tools is done in collaboration with both of L’Oréal’s make-up and skincare divisions.

    The Shopee BeautyCam employs AR simulation to allow Shopee users to try different shades of make-up, resulting in photo-realistic results in the form of a video or a selfie. To achieve this, ModiFace by L’Oréal uses AI-enabled shade calibration, AI-powered analysis of information provided by makeup brands, as well as images and descriptions available on social media. The Shopee BeautyCam will launch on Shopee Singapore during L’Oréal’s campaign, ‘International Lipstick Day’, from 27 to 29 July and in conjunction with International Lipstick Day on 29 July. Shopee users will be able to try the feature first with L’Oréal lipsticks. The proprietary technology will eventually be extended across other L’Oréal make-up products in the future across Southeast Asia.

    L’Oréal’s other AI-powered digital innovation tool, Effaclar Spotscan, harnesses artificial intelligence technology to offer users instant, personalised and professional acne analyses. Users are awarded an acne score and are given a personalised Effaclar routine with specific skin care tips to best tackle their acne spots. Featured during selected campaigns, the tool was launched in conjunction with other in-app activations such as in-app dermatologist consultations. Effaclar Spotscan was launched successfully on Shopee Singapore in March this year, and will be incorporated in the upcoming L’Oréal campaign, ‘Your Best Skin Yet’, from 12 to 15 August.

    Ninell Sobiecka, Vice President, Active Cosmetics Division, APAC said, “We are pleased to partner Shopee to make our first acne diagnostics tool, the Effaclar Spotscan by La Roche-Posay, available to users across Southeast Asia. This AI-powered tool helps users make more educated skin care choices based on their own unique skin type, all in the comfort of their own homes with the Shopee app. Together with Shopee, we are committed to empowering users and making lives better with innovative technology.”

    Chris Driver, Commercial General Manager, Consumer Products Division, APAC adds, “We are thrilled to partner Shopee to bring the Shopee BeautyCam by ModiFace to millions of users across the region and to reinvent the beauty industry. This technological innovation gives consumers the freedom and creativity to explore L’Oréal’s wide array of lipsticks and helps users learn more about which lipstick suits them best. All done within Shopee’s app, this provides users a convenient, effective and simple way to discover more make-up products as they make their next make-up purchase online.”Coupled with L’Oréal’s digital innovation tools, the partnership sees L’Oréal tapping into Shopee’s key interactive entertainment features such as Shopee LIVE, Shopee’s in-app live streaming feature, and Shopee Slice, a popular in-app game, to deepen engagement with consumers for a more personalised online retail experience. Through this, Shopee and L’Oréal are able to provide users higher entertainment value and benefits, as they learn more about L’Oréal’s extensive array of products, digital innovation tools, as well as make-up and skincare tips.

    All L’Oréal make-up and skincare products can be found via their respective official stores on Shopee, under Shopee Mall, which offers 15-days free returns, 100% authenticity, and free shipping.

    Download the Shopee app for free on the App Store or Google Play Store.

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

  • L’Oreal Extends Lazada Partnership to next-day deliveries

    L’Oreal Extends Lazada Partnership to next-day deliveries

    L’Oreal has signed a joint business plan with Lazada to fulfil next-day delivery in top metro cities by June this year. This L’Oreal-Lazada logistical pact demonstrates the cosmetics company’s ambition to grow its e-commerce business in Asia. Both companies will also pilot consumer engagement tools such as in-app live streaming, and jointly launch products exclusively available to Lazada customers.

    “We are confident of creating the leading online beauty destination in Southeast Asia by combining Lazada’s extensive last mile logistics network to bring L’Oreal’s products faster into our customers’ hands,” said Jing Yin, president of Lazada Group.

    “Our partnership today signals our commitment and joint ambition of dominating the Southeast Asian beauty and skincare e-commerce market share by providing the best customer experience.”

    Other technological advancements such as new search features will ensure L’Oreal products are easily searchable within app to bring the most personalised products to its fans.

    “Lazada and L’Oreal will collaborate in many areas, from technology, sales and marketing to logistics,” said Pierre-Yves, MD, Southeast Asia, at L’Oreal.

    “Lazada’s technology infrastructure, logistics network and brand-engagement capabilities are the gold standard of the industry. Our joint efforts will take us one step closer to creating a true beauty-shopping destination on Lazada.”

    The L’Oreal-Lazada collaboration started in 2014, bringing 820,000 followers to the L’Oreal store on the platform. E-commerce sales now comprise 11 per cent of its global sales.

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

  • L’Oreal Asia Sales for the First Time outpaces Europe

    L’Oreal Asia Sales for the First Time outpaces Europe

    L’Oreal Asia now sells more products than the company’s home European division. Sales in Asia outpaced those in western Europe for the first time in the last quarter, with China leading the growth, despite a slowing economy.

    Just a decade ago, L’Oreal Asia sales were less than one third of its European sales.

    Globally, first-quarter L’Oreal sales rose 7.7 per cent for the quarter to US$8.53 billion, excluding currency fluctuations. That news drove the company’s share price even higher, taking growth to 21 per cent so far this year. It is now France’s second-largest company by market value.

    L’Oreal, which owns Garnier, Maybelline, Acqua di Gio Armani, and Laroche Posay, has become increasingly reliant on fast-growing Asian economies to maintain growth rates impossible in its mature home and North American markets. But analysts like James Edwards Jones are unconcerned by such reliance.

    “It is true that the growth is not broad-based. But given L’Oreal’s proven ability to identify, stimulate and capitalise on those parts of the business where the most attractive growth is to be had, we struggle to find fault with this,” the company said in a client note.

    L’Oreal CEO Jean-Paul Agon says young Chinese consumers are increasingly drawn to luxury brands, a positive trend for the cosmetics manufacturer.

    European sales were rebounding but “nothing would compete with what we see in Asia,” he said in an analyst briefing.

    Lees ook:

  • L’Oréal Paris revamps its store at the Bangkok King Power Downtown II Srivaree

    L’Oréal Paris revamps its store at the Bangkok King Power Downtown II Srivaree

    The makeover of the L’Oréal Paris store in King Power Downtown II Srivaree is the latest in a series of important openings at L’Oréal Travel Retail Asia Pacific. Unlike anything Bangkok has ever seen before, the expanded flagship store is the biggest L’Oréal Paris store worldwide. This new design concept officially invites travelers to an elevated shopping experience to discover L’Oréal Paris’ accessible luxury products for both men and women.

    Having undergone a major transformation, the 110 square meter flagship store offers a wide range of make-up and skincare for men and women with a best-in-class retail experience. The space expansion now welcomes travelers with three contrasting zones – the first ever L’Oréal Paris make-up boutique in Travel Retail Asia Pacific, Revitalift Classic Red Carpet Zone and a dedicated Exclusive Men skincare area.

    The make-up boutique invites travelers to discover a wide range of make-up offers with a strong color appeal and a large LED screen to express L’Oréal Paris’ creativity. Products at the Revitalift zone take center stage, while the Men Expert area in black color tone is focused on men’s specific needs.

    “We are extremely delighted to relaunch our L’Oréal Paris store with King Power International on a scale that has never been seen before. Thailand is one of the most exciting markets with thriving tourism, and we see great potential in the first L’Oréal Paris flagship store in Travel Retail worldwide,” says Emmanuel Goulin, Managing Director of L’Oréal Travel Retail Asia Pacific.

    “This is a celebratory moment of our strong partnership with L’Oréal Travel Retail Asia Pacific in bringing a first-class duty free shopping experience to millions of Chinese tourists. We are optimistic that the biggest L’Oréal Paris store worldwide will continue to attract more shoppers, confirming King Power Downtown II Srivaree as an exceptional retail destination,” says Susan Whelan, Senior Executive Vice President at King Power International.

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

  • Watson and L’Oréal’s ModiFace drive retail innovation with the launch of virtual makeup try-on service

    Watson and L’Oréal’s ModiFace drive retail innovation with the launch of virtual makeup try-on service

    L’Oréal’s AI and AR company ModiFace and A.S. Watson Group (“ASW”) announce the launch of the virtual makeup try-on #ColourMe, making ModiFace’s industry-leading AR technology available to consumers across Asia on mobile.

    #ColourMe, launching in March, is a virtual try-on service which will be available on Watsons mobile apps providing shoppers with the opportunity to virtually try on 300 makeup products including lipsticks, mascara, eyeshadow, brow colouring and foundation. Users will also be able to try on recommended trend looks, create and save their own look creations, as well as capture photos and videos of their makeup. Products associated with each look can be delivered to the shopper’s home or collected from a local Watsons store as quickly as four hours.

    The technology will roll out with L’Oréal Paris and Maybelline brands in the first phase of the launch, and it will be available exclusively in e-commerce mobile apps of Watsons Malaysia, Taiwan, Thailand and Singapore. ASW will consider extending the collaboration to other brands and markets across its portfolio in Asia and Europe in the future.

    Malina Ngai, A.S. Watson Group Chief Operating Officer is excited about the new digital experience created with the support of L’Oréal, “Customers are at the heart of all our innovations. We strive to create bespoke online and offline experiences that add value for their lifestyle. We have a shared vision with L’Oréal in driving digital leadership in beauty, and we discussed about creating the exclusive experience since the second half of last year utilizing ModiFace’s technology. Together we will transform the way beauty lovers discover and experience makeup and a one-stop shopping experience on our mobile app.”

    Alexis Perakis-Valat, President of L’Oréal’s Consumer Products Division, says, “Digital technologies are about to revolutionize retail, making shopping more entertaining, easy and personalized. We want to be a driving force of this transformation and so does A.S. Watson who is a long-standing and trusted retail partner for us. This is why we are thrilled to launch the virtual makeup try-on #ColourMe powered by our own beauty AR and AI company Modiface. This technology offers consumers a unique way to discover and enjoy makeup and will allow us to further reinvent the beauty experience in the future”.

    Lees ook:

  • L’Oréal, KÉRASTASE open their flagship store in Hong Kong

    L’Oréal, KÉRASTASE open their flagship store in Hong Kong

    Hong Kong’s stylish hotspot Fashion Walk proudly announces the arrival of SkinCeuticals and KÉRASTASE – two of L’Oréal Hong Kong’s leading beauty brands, introducing a unique all-in-one beauty ritual that tends to your retail, cosmetic and haircare needs. With SkinCeuticals’ global first one-stop skincare flagship store and KÉRASTASE’s haircare concept store, Fashion Walk launches the beauty hub – a cosmetics mecca that is set to transform fashionistas’ beauty experience.

    Ms. Bella Chhoa, Director of Leasing & Management of Hang Lung Properties, describes the addition of SkinCeuticals and KÉRASTASE as the birth of a “Beauty Revolution”.

    “It is a real pleasure to have SkinCeuticals and KÉRASTASE – the two top beauty brands of L’Oréal Hong Kong – join us in Fashion Walk. Causeway Bay is a magnet for trendsetters, yet we all know how scarce retail spaces are right here. At its prime location in the area, Fashion Walk is obviously the hub of international fashion labels. Last year, we extended our partnerships with a number of cosmetics brands. This year, we’ll keep up with the strategic effort. Our brand new beauty hub promises to bring an unprecedented beauty experience to all stylish minds in town.”

    Ms. Eva Yu, President & Managing Director of L’Oréal Hong Kong, also envisions a new chapter in the cosmetics industry prompted by SkinCeuticals’ one-stop skincare flagship store and KÉRASTASE’s haircare concept store at beauty hub.

    “L’Oréal Hong Kong endlessly looks for retail spaces of development potential. The two stores in Fashion Walk feature an exclusive studio for customers to try out every stroke, swipe and dab, which guarantees a one-of-a-kind experience. We’ll put down a remodeling budget of almost ten million dollars to ensure that our customers will revel in the brand new stores.”

    Located in the heart of Causeway Bay, Fashion Walk boasts an occupancy rate of over 95%, housing the flagship stores and concept stores of an impressive array of international chic labels, including the two beauty trailblazers.

    Founded in the USA, SkinCeuticals is guided by its unparalleled Integrated Skincare philosophy that aims to promote and improve skin health. Its first-ever flagship store in Fashion Walk also pledges to provide customers with a range of skin health restoration plans that combine the most trusted dermatological innovations and cosmetological aids.

    French hair and scalp care expert KÉRASTASE has earned its recognition in the field thanks to its commitment to hair care since its founding in 1964. Its concept store in Fashion Walk not only offers a wide selection of cutting-edge products, but also an original mode of retail with hair treatment services in a soothing environment. The professional guidance of KÉRASTASE haircare consultants and bespoke treatments will surely satisfy customers’ desire for exceptional hair.

    Lees ook:

  • L’Oreal Asia Pacific sales reported soars

    L’Oreal Asia Pacific sales reported soars

    L’Oreal Asia Pacific sales soared by a staggering 24.1 per cent on a like-for-like basis last year. Asia was the beauty behemoth’s fastest-growing market with all divisions of the business winning market share from rivals in the region. “The dynamism of Chinese consumers, combined with the good performance of premium brands and rapid growth in several other Southeast Asian markets as well as in travel retail, were the [region’s] main growth drivers,” the company said in an earnings statement.

    Singles Day in the fourth quarter especially boosted sales in China, along with the acquisition of Stylenanda in June.

    L’Oreal Asia Pacific sales, driven by China, overtook L’Oreal’s North America business, with sales exceeding €7 billion.

    Globally, L’Oreal achieved sales of €26.9 billion (US$30.3 billion) last year, an improvement of 7.1 per cent on a like-for-like basis and 8 per cent at constant exchange rates. Net profit reached €3.89 billion euros, an increase of 8.8 per cent.

    L’Oreal’s chairman and CEO Jean-Paul Agon said the results represented the company’s best year of growth since 2007, achieved in a beauty market which had “accelerated significantly” last year.

    All divisions achieved growth, with the standouts being L’Oreal Luxe and Active Cosmetics, which both recorded double-digit sales increases. In the Luxe division, the larger brands led the way, with Lancome sales crossing the €3 billion threshold. The Active Cosmetics division achieved its highest growth for more than 10 years.

    Consumer products sales, led by L’Oreal Paris and Maybelline New York, achieved solid growth and professional products a “modest increase” thanks to a significant acceleration in the final quarter, the company said.

    A growing investment in e-commerce is paying off, with sales online up 40.6 per cent last year, now accounting for 11 per cent of group sales.

    And travel retail broke the €2 billion barrier, increasing by 27.1 per cent.

    L’Oreal reported its gross margin increased significantly and, even after strong investments in research, innovation, and business drivers, its operating margin set a new record at 18.3 per cent of sales.

  • Chinese demand for skincare products boosts sales of French cosmetics company L’Oreal

    Chinese demand for skincare products boosts sales of French cosmetics company L’Oreal

    Strong Chinese demand for luxury skin creams helped Lancome owner L’Oreal beat sales forecasts in the fourth quarter, as did a pickup in its lagging mass market division. Like rivals including US-based Estee Lauder, the French maker of Maybelline and Urban Decay make-up has thrived on strong demand from Chinese shoppers in recent years, especially for its higher-end products.

    Sales of L’Oreal’s top-flight brands exceeded analyst expectations in the last three months of the year thanks to this market, despite cooling economic growth in China, and fears over a Washington-Beijing trade war.

    Some heavy-hitters in the luxury fashion industry, such as LVMH’s Louis Vuitton, have also reported encouraging momentum in Asia. At L’Oreal Asia-Pacific overtook North America as its biggest region last year.

    But L’Oreal, which is due to detail its results at a news conference on Friday, also faces a challenge to keep improving revenue growth in other areas, including its consumer products unit, home to brands like Garnier shampoo.

    Sales rose 2.8 per cent in that division on a like-for-like basis in the fourth quarter, which strips out currency effects and acquisitions, up from 2.3 per cent a quarter earlier.

    That helped boost overall sales at the firm, up 7.7 per cent like-for-like and head of forecasts for a 6.4 per cent rise, and which came in at 7.1 billion euros ($8.1 billion).

    Yet the mass market segment still slightly lags the performance of peers like Nivea-maker Beiersdorf and Dove soap owner Unilever.

    L’Oreal said it was also facing a sluggish market in France and the United Kingdom.

    While the latter only makes up around 3 per cent of sales, the company has joined others in preparing for Britain’s potentially chaotic exit from the European Union, and has started stockpiling cosmetics.

    The company said it still expected to outperform the broader beauty market in 2019, though the tone of its outlook was a tad less bullish than last year, forecasting “growth in both sales and profits” rather than “significant growth”.

    For 2018 as a whole, the company’s operating profit rose 5.3 per cent to 4.7 billion euros, giving a margin of 18.3 per cent of sales, up from 18 per cent at the end of 2017.

    One of L’Oreal’s biggest shareholders with a 23 per cent stake, Switzerland’s Nestle, has come under pressure from an activist investor to sell off its stake in the French cosmetics firm. The firms have yet to signal whether such a move was in view.

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

  • AS Watson reports success with predictive modelling marketing

    AS Watson reports success with predictive modelling marketing

    International health and beauty retailer AS Watson Group says its use of predictive modelling technology is delivering successful product launches. The firm has worked in close partnership with brands to help them penetrate specific demographics or enter new markets. Recently this included Jeffree Star Cosmetics launching exclusively at ICI Paris XL in Europe, and in Asia a continuing long-term partnership with Maybelline at Watsons Thailand – both of which achieved targeted results.

    “At AS Watson, due to our extensive global knowledge of the beauty industry and CRM data, we are able to help niche brands like Jeffree Star and major brands including Maybelline launch products onto the market,” explains Malina Ngai, AS Watson Group COO.

    “Using our integrated online and offline model, this allows us to create these types of brand partnerships to specifically target and engage the right customers.”

    L’Oreal and AS Watson Group developed a long-term partnership working together to drive sales, while in 2018, Watsons Thailand partnered with Maybelline on a year-long CRM program.

    Supported by the AS Watson DataLab, the group’s customer intelligence team, this campaign was designed to communicate offers to relevant customers through electronic direct mail. Watsons targeted members in three phases in order to recruit new category shoppers, grow each customer’s basket value and engage customers in new product offers.

    To ensure the campaign built on data insight to target the right members, Watsons used a three-stage approach to accurately identify customers and ensure they were provided with the most attractive offers.

    This three-stage campaign saw more than 3.5 million emails delivered to members, attracting more than 170,000 customers to buy into the brand. This targeted and focused approach saw double-digit percentage of the brand’s sales directly attributable to this campaign. In addition, Maybelline’s sales and the number of members recorded double-digit growth compared to the previous year.

    L’Oreal Thailand’s GM consumer products division Geoff Bellingham said two of the biggest challenges a brand faces are acquiring new customers and then having those customers shop again with the brand.

    “Our Watsons Thailand CRM program allowed us to successfully achieve both of those goals for Maybelline. All customers and especially beauty shoppers want relevant, more personally curated offers and this partnership was carefully created to ensure the right offers for right people.

    “The activity is just one example of the close and successful collaboration between Watsons and L’Oreal”.
    ICI Paris XL launched world-renowned beauty influencer Jeffree Star’s cosmetic range in November, exclusively to customers in The Netherlands and Belgium. To launch the brand ICI Paris XL created a digital campaign to target customers whose data and insight profile indicated they would love the new brand, as well as looking to capture new customers. The digital campaign was created to specifically target those under 35, as this is the brand’s core target market.

    Predictive modelling technology was used to identify and communicate with members who had a high tendency to shop for new makeup brands and trends, and these people received customised emails announcing the launch, bringing the social media personality to life, as well as highlighting hero elements of the cosmetics range. This targeted approach saw more than 300,000 customers receive personalised emails, leading to an open rate of 25 per cent.  Following this, 40 per cent then visited the brand’s page on the ICI Paris XL website with the result that 70 per cent of members under 35 bought into the range during the launch period.

    “Following the success of my brand in the the US, I really wanted to extend my brand’s reach into Europe,” said Jeffree Star. “AS Watson has provided me with an efficient distribution platform as well as the tools to be able to target my fans and beauty lovers that like to create bright, fun and innovative beauty looks.”

    Lees ook:

  • L’Oreal brings Cai Xukun and Eiffel Tower to Haitang Bay

    L’Oreal brings Cai Xukun and Eiffel Tower to Haitang Bay

    Known for reinventing extraordinary beauty experience, L’Oréal Paris invites all travelers to Haitang Bay Duty Free Shopping Mall for a first-of-its-kind Parisian experience.  On January 4, together with friend of L’Oréal Paris Mr. Cai Xukun (Kun), a 5-meter-high, bold red Eiffel Tower was revealed at the L’Oréal Paris pop-up, synonymous with East meets West: made-in-Paris chic and a tribute to the Chinese tradition of prosperous red.

    With over 120 million  interactions on Chinese Weibo, the special appearance of renowned young icon Kun attracted a large crowd of Chinese travelers coming to Haitang Bay.  At the event, Kun and Olivier Tessler, General Manager of L’Oréal Paris Travel Retail Asia Pacific, engraved “Kun ♥ L’Oréal Paris” on the iconic Color Riche Moist Matte lipstick, symbolizing for this powerful collaboration.

    Gallery of the event

    The pop-up iinvites holiday travelers to discover L’Oréal Paris’ accessible-luxury products for both men and women, appealing to travelers of all different types of aspirations. The pop-up  will open from January 4 until the end of the month, exclusively in Haitang Bay.

    “To be able to surprise Chinese travelers by bringing an Eiffel  Tower to Haitang Bay is definitely a first for me! L’Oréal Paris is my first choice of beauty brand, and I’m happy to share the brand story with my fans in such a vivid and striking way,” says Cai Xukun.

    “I am enthusiastic  about sharing an extraordinary Parisian experience with Chinese travelers in Haitang Bay! Together with Cai Xukun and CDFG, we are delighted to invite everyone to a celebration of every element of our brand’s DNA – Paris, beauty, creativity, fashion and diversity. Our goal is to lead the way in making beauty trends for all”, says Olivier Tessler, General Manager of L’Oréal Paris Travel Retail APAC.

  • L’Oreal Korea seeks Brandstorm 2019 contest participants

    L’Oreal Korea seeks Brandstorm 2019 contest participants

    L’Oreal is now accepting applications from students in Korea for its annual global marketing competition “L’Oreal Brandstorm 2019.” The mission for this year’s competition is to “invent the future skin care experience for health-conscious consumers.” Contestants need to choose one brand from L’Oreal’s Active Cosmetics division, such as Vichy or La Roche-Posay, and propose a new service or technology to enhance the consumer experience.

    Undergraduates in their third or fourth year of study and graduates can apply in teams of three. The application deadline is Feb. 28.

    After a final round in March, the winning Korean team will get a chance to represent the country and pitch its idea during the finals at L’Oreal headquarters in Paris.

    The winning Korea team members will also qualify for a chance to intern at L’Oreal Korea.

    The team that wins the global final round will get to test their idea at French start-up campus Station F for three months.

    The first competition was held in 1992. Since then, over 34,000 students have participated.