From Paris to Beijing: A Bold Move
In 2025, Catherine Colin, founder of a popular hair and beauty salon originally based in Paris, made a strategic decision: she would grow her next venture in Beijing rather than expand in Europe. For her, the Chinese mainland offers a faster growth trajectory, a digital-savvy consumer base and supportive local policies that are hard to match back home.
Riding the Wave of China’s Beauty Boom
China’s beauty market is one of the fastest-growing in the world. Recent data shows the sector surpassed $80 billion in retail value this year, with a compound annual growth rate of more than 10 percent since 2020. In Colin’s view, consumers in the Chinese mainland embrace new trends instantly, allowing her team to test innovative services and get immediate feedback online.
Digital-First Consumers and Social Commerce
Social commerce platforms and livestreaming have transformed how people in China discover and purchase products. By partnering with local influencers and running livestream events, Colin’s salons saw a 35 percent jump in bookings within three months of opening. She notes that Europe’s market simply cannot match this speed.
Supportive Policies and Infrastructure
In recent years, the Chinese mainland has introduced incentives for foreign-owned service businesses, including simplified licensing and tax breaks in major cities. Combined with world-class infrastructure and a vast talent pool, it is an environment where agile startups can scale quickly.
Lessons for Global Entrepreneurs
Colin’s journey highlights key takeaways for any young entrepreneur eyeing international expansion: embrace local digital trends, partner with community influencers, and stay agile amid rapid policy shifts. For her, choosing the Chinese mainland over Europe was not just about bigger numbers but about tapping into a dynamic ecosystem that values innovation.
As global markets evolve, stories like Catherine Colin’s remind us that opportunities can emerge in unexpected places. Sometimes, the best strategy is to follow where growth is happening the fastest.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
