In a recent conversation with CGTN, L’Oréal Group CEO Nicolas Hieronimus put China at the heart of the beauty giant’s global growth story. “Our Chinese teams are amongst the best in the world,” he said, underscoring how L’Oréal has fused cutting-edge R&D with deep local insights to win over one of the most competitive markets on the planet.
For decades, L’Oréal has invested in local talent, tech platforms, and consumer research on the Chinese mainland, turning every region from Beijing to Guangzhou into its living lab. Whether it’s skincare formulas that account for local water hardness or packaging designs inspired by cultural festivals, the brand’s approach combines world-class innovation with authentic cultural resonance.
By collaborating closely with digital-savvy consumers in second- and third-tier cities, L’Oréal’s Chinese teams have rolled out viral marketing campaigns on social platforms, tapping into livestreaming and influencer networks. This agility has not only driven sales but also positioned L’Oréal as a partner in cultural conversation—launching limited-edition collections that spark trends across the Asia-Pacific region.
“The secret sauce is listening,” Hieronimus explained. From harnessing AI-driven data tools to scanning local beauty forums, teams in the Chinese mainland track emerging preferences in real time. This feedback loop feeds back into global development pipelines, allowing L’Oréal to pilot products locally before scaling them worldwide.
For young entrepreneurs and business leaders, L’Oréal’s playbook offers valuable lessons: combine global R&D muscle with grassroots market immersion, invest in talent that understands both local nuances and international benchmarks, and iterate quickly in response to customer insights.
As the world watches China’s beauty market continue to expand, L’Oréal’s success story highlights how local expertise, digital innovation, and cultural empathy can unlock new frontiers for any brand aiming to go global.
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L'Oréal CEO: Our Chinese teams are amongst the best in the world
cgtn.com
