Brand wars break out in cosmetics

Despite economic slowdown and intense competition from Japanese and South Korean cosmetic and skincare brands, Chinese players are fighting back to regain consumers.

According to the China Shopper Report 2015, released by consulting firm Bain & Co in July last year, Chinese retailers contributed 87 percent to the overall market growth in 2014, accounting for about 70 percent of the market value in 26 monitored categories.

They outsold foreign brands in 18 categories, making the biggest gains in skincare and color cosmetics.