Latest news with #OliveYoung
Korea Herald
5 days ago
- Business
- Korea Herald
Olive Young's global platform logs record sales in H1 on robust US demand
CJ Olive Young's global online platform posted record sales in the first half of the year, with the United States accounting for more than half of the total, the beauty retail giant said Monday. Named Olive Young Global Mall, the platform posted a 70 percent on-year increase in sales during the January-June period, while order volume rose by about 60 percent over the same span. The strongest driver of sales growth was the US, which contributed over 40 percent of the platform's first-half growth, according to the company. The US alone made up more than half of total sales. To build on its US momentum, Olive Young is scaling up its logistics infrastructure. Earlier this month, the company signed a memorandum of understanding with FedEx to strengthen Korea-US shipping links and enhance delivery for American consumers. 'We plan to continue building logistics networks in other countries to better accommodate rising overseas demand for Korean beauty products,' an Olive Young official said. Other standout markets in the first half included the United Kingdom, where sales surged 300 percent on-year, as well as Malaysia (256 percent), Singapore (191 percent) and Japan (180 percent). Olive Young has emerged as a key launch pad for Korean beauty brands seeking to expand overseas. As of June, roughly 1,200 brands were listed on its Global Mall, up from 130 at its launch in 2019. The platform also surpassed 3 million members for the first time in June. 'The growth of the Global Mall represents a meaningful step in connecting small and mid-sized K-beauty brands with international consumers,' the company official said.
Time of India
09-07-2025
- Time of India
Why are foreign tourists thronging to Korean pharmacies?
Foreign tourists are flocking to Korean pharmacies instead of traditional beauty stores like Olive Young, creating a new trend in K-beauty shopping. This shift is driven by medical tourism, social media influence, and the appeal of pharmaceutical-grade cosmetics. At 11 AM on a Tuesday morning in Seoul's Hongdae district, a peculiar scene unfolds at a local pharmacy. Foreign tourists huddle around the skincare display, smartphones in hand, meticulously checking product information. Some visitors, still wearing masks from recent medical procedures, show saved photos to staff members while searching for regenerative creams and ointments. This isn't your typical pharmacy visit - it's the new face of K-beauty tourism, and it's absolutely exploding across Seoul's hottest districts. The Pharmacy Revolution That's Changing Everything Japanese tourist Fukui Marie, 25, didn't mince words about her mission: "I came to buy regenerative cream after getting dermatological treatment". Meanwhile, Amanda Min, 32, from Singapore, was on the hunt for "Korean pharmacy recommendations" she'd discovered on TikTok. These aren't isolated incidents. Korean pharmacies have emerged as the hottest new K-beauty shopping destination, completely transforming how international visitors approach skincare shopping. The shift goes far beyond simple medicine purchases - tourists are now specifically seeking out acne treatments, regenerative creams, and whitening functional products, collectively known as "cosmeceuticals". by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Compare Spreads: Bitcoin vs Ethereum CFDs IC Markets Learn More Undo The numbers are staggering. Foreign medical consumption in Korea skyrocketed from 593,577 cases in 2020 to 2,929,831 cases in 2024 - nearly a five-fold increase. In May 2025 alone, there were 379,397 recorded cases, with pharmacy visits accounting for a whopping 61% of all medical consumption by foreigners. Why Pharmacies Are Crushing Traditional Beauty Stores The appeal isn't just about novelty - it's about value and authenticity. Pharmacist Kim In-young, 38, revealed the secret sauce: "Visiting a pharmacy after getting treatment at a nearby dermatology clinic has become a standard course for foreign tourists. They're popular because they're cheaper than Olive Young while being perceived as more effective". Major shopping districts in Seoul - Gangnam, Myeongdong, and Hongdae - have completely transformed their pharmacy services to cater to this international demand. They've introduced multilingual labels, unmanned currency exchange machines, and tax refund services, creating a seamless shopping experience that rivals traditional beauty retailers. The Products That Are Breaking the Internet The most sought-after items tell a story of medical tourism meeting beauty culture. Tourists are specifically hunting for scar and inflammatory acne treatments, pigmentation improvement products, and whitening supplements. The sales figures are mind-blowing: · Dong-A Pharmaceutical's "Noscanagel" generated ₹1,740 crore (20.9 billion won) in sales last year, up 22% from the previous year · Acne treatment "Acnon Cream" saw first-quarter sales jump 62% to ₹782 crore (9.4 billion won) · "Melatoning," known for pigmentation relief, recorded ₹966 crore (11.6 billion won) in sales last year, a 27% increase, with first-quarter growth of 52% Social media has become the ultimate game-changer. Pharmaresearch's skin regeneration product "Rejuvenex" went viral on TikTok, causing complete sellouts. One influencer with 880,000 followers created a product introduction video that garnered over 40,000 likes and saves. This pharmacy trend reflects K-beauty's massive global influence. Korea's cosmetics exports hit a record $5.51 billion (₹4.59 lakh crore) in the first half of 2025, maintaining its position as the world's third-largest cosmetics exporter. In the US market, Korea has even surpassed France to become the top cosmetics exporter. The transformation is striking - as one industry insider noted: "The scene of Koreans buying cosmetics at Monge Pharmacy in Paris or Santa Maria Novella Pharmacy in Florence is now being replicated by foreigners at pharmacies in Seoul's Gangnam and Hongdae districts". This shift represents more than just a shopping trend - it's a cultural phenomenon where functionality and professionalism are driving K-beauty's global expansion, diversifying consumption channels from Olive Young-centered retail to specialized distribution networks like pharmacies. The revolution is real, and Korean pharmacies have become the unexpected champions of the global beauty game. For young Indians watching this trend unfold, it's fascinating to see how Korea has managed to blend medical expertise with beauty culture, creating something that feels both premium and accessible - much like how we've always valued the intersection of traditional wellness and modern beauty in our own culture.
Straits Times
04-07-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
K-pop in beauty stores: Olive Young diversifies as rivals gather
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Olive Young's expansion sets the stage for fiercer competition, particularly with Shinsegae's beauty brand Chicor. SEOUL - Beauty retail giant CJ Olive Young is tightening its grip on Korea's cosmetics market with a fresh push that fuses Korean cultural trends and hyper-personalized beauty experiences - all while sharpening its global edge. With more than 1,300 stores nationwide, Olive Young has long dominated the local scene - and now it is doubling down. As new challengers emerge in Korea's booming beauty space, the company is evolving its content strategy and store experience to stay ahead of the curve. Olive Young's new three-story Hongdae Playground outpost, which opened on June 11, features a dedicated men's beauty zone, AI-powered skin scan consultations and K-pop sections. Olive Young has increasingly tapped the power of K-pop, creating special zones in tourist hubs like Myeong-dong and Seongsu-dong since 2024. The retailer said it held 19 K-pop pop-up stores in 2024, with six still operating. The strategy has roots in its online success. Since launching a K-pop category on its website in 2022, 71 per cent of first-time overseas customers who purchased K-pop albums also picked up K-beauty products. More recently, Olive Young opened its Central Gangnam Town store on July 2, with a sharp focus on in-store beauty experiences such as skin analyses, personal colour diagnostics and bespoke consultations with beauty advisors. 'The opening of this advanced store seeks to meet the beauty needs of both local and international consumers in the Gangnam area,' an official from Olive Young said, adding that the retailer will continue to launch stores tailored to each district's characteristics and customer base. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Seller's stamp duty rates for private homes raised; holding period increased from 3 years to 4 Asia Japan urges evacuation of small island as 1,000 quakes hit region World Trump's sweeping tax-cut and spending Bill wins congressional approval World Trump eyes simple tariff rates over complex talks, says letters going out Friday Sport A true fans' player – Liverpool supporters in Singapore pay tribute to late Diogo Jota Business More Singapore residents met CPF Required Retirement Sum when they turned 55 in 2024 Singapore Universities like NUS need to be open, to become a sanctuary for global talent: Vivian Balakrishnan Singapore 193ha of land off Changi to be reclaimed for aviation park; area reduced to save seagrass meadow Olive Young's expansion sets the stage for fiercer competition, particularly with Shinsegae's beauty brand Chicor, which recently rebranded and opened nearby with a renewed focus on Korean products, shifting away from its earlier emphasis on imported labels. Likewise, the Chicor store also offers customized beauty experiences, including an AI personalization service and a K-beauty makeup zone. Following in Olive Young's footsteps, the retailer is eyeing new locations in tourist hotspots such as Hongdae and Myeong-dong. Another potential competitor is Hyundai Home Shopping. The TV shopping operator is finalizing plans to launch its first brick-and-mortar beauty store, Coasis, by October, which will be stocked with its teleshopping bestsellers. However, business specifics remain under wraps for now. Although industry consensus remains that Olive Young's dominance will not be easily toppled, the arrival of new competitors can only be good news for consumers. 'The popularity of K-beauty remains strong both here and abroad, and we're seeing new players continue to enter the offline beauty market,' said an industry official. 'But as the market grows, consumers will ultimately benefit from better quality and more competitive pricing.' Indeed, data shows that K-beauty's growth shows no signs of abating. According to the Korea International Trade Association, Korea exported US$3.61 billion (S$4.6 billion) worth of cosmetics from January to April, surpassing the United States' US$3.57 billion for the first time. This milestone comes just a year after Korea overtook Germany to become the world's third-largest cosmetics exporter, behind only France and the US. The nation's cosmetics exports in the first half of 2025 reached a record high of US$5.5 billion, up 14.8 per cent from a year earlier, according to data released by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. THE KOREA HERALD/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
Korea Herald
03-07-2025
- Business
- Korea Herald
K-pop in beauty stores: Olive Young diversifies as rivals gather
Olive Young deepens K-culture focus, beauty consultations amid intensifying K-beauty competition Beauty retail giant CJ Olive Young is tightening its grip on Korea's cosmetics market with a fresh push that fuses Korean cultural trends and hyper-personalized beauty experiences -- all while sharpening its global edge. With more than 1,300 stores nationwide, Olive Young has long dominated the local scene — and now it's doubling down. As new challengers emerge in Korea's booming beauty space, the company is evolving its content strategy and store experience to stay ahead of the curve. Its latest move: fusing Korean cultural touchpoints with hyper-customized beauty offerings, showcased in a new wave of globally minded flagship stores. The new three-story Hongdae Playground outpost, which opened on June 11, features a dedicated men's beauty zone, AI-powered skin scan consultations and K-pop sections. Olive Young has increasingly tapped the power of K-pop, creating special zones in tourist hubs like Myeong-dong and Seongsu-dong since last year. The retailer said it held 19 K-pop pop-up stores in 2023, with six still operating. The strategy has roots in its online success. Since launching a K-pop category on its website in 2022, 71 percent of first-time overseas customers who purchased K-pop albums also picked up K-beauty products. More recently, Olive Young opened its Central Gangnam Town store on Wednesday, with a sharp focus on in-store beauty experiences such as skin analyses, personal color diagnostics and bespoke consultations with beauty advisors. "The opening of this advanced store seeks to meet the beauty needs of both local and international consumers in the Gangnam area," an official from Olive Young said, adding that the retailer will continue to launch stores tailored to each district's characteristics and customer base. Olive Young's expansion sets the stage for fiercer competition, particularly with Shinsegae's beauty brand Chicor, which recently rebranded and opened nearby with a renewed focus on Korean products, shifting away from its earlier emphasis on imported labels. Likewise, the Chicor store also offers customized beauty experiences, including an AI personalization service and a K-beauty makeup zone. Following in Olive Young's footsteps, the retailer is eyeing new locations in tourist hotspots such as Hongdae and Myeong-dong. Another potential competitor is Hyundai Home Shopping. The TV shopping operator is finalizing plans to launch its first brick-and-mortar beauty store, Coasis, by October, which will be stocked with its teleshopping bestsellers. However, business specifics remain under wraps for now. Although industry consensus remains that Olive Young's dominance will not be easily toppled, the arrival of new competitors can only be good news for consumers. 'The popularity of K-beauty remains strong both here and abroad, and we're seeing new players continue to enter the offline beauty market,' said an industry official. 'But as the market grows, consumers will ultimately benefit from better quality and more competitive pricing.' Indeed, data shows that K-beauty's growth shows no signs of abating. According to the Korea International Trade Association, Korea exported $3.61 billion worth of cosmetics from January to April, surpassing the United States' $3.57 billion for the first time. This milestone comes just a year after Korea overtook Germany to become the world's third-largest cosmetics exporter, behind only France and the US. The nation's cosmetics exports in the first half of this year reached a record high of $5.5 billion, up 14.8 percent from a year earlier, according to data released by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety.
Vogue Singapore
23-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Vogue Singapore
The best Seoul beauty spaces to add to your itinerary, stat
@ Unwind in a traditional jjimjilbang bathhouse in the morning and pursue a K-pop beauty makeover by lunch—the hippest, hottest and most heritage beauty finds converge in Seoul. Here in the Land of the Morning Calm, cutting-edge skin science, groundbreaking beauty trends and centuries-old rituals are met with equal devotion. It's hard to make an overstatement about the impact of K-beauty. Not only infiltrating, but now palpably setting standards for the beauty industry worldwide, there's no shortage of places to stock up on its finest skincare and make-up offerings in Seoul. Discover cult and emerging brands at Olive Young, a beauty junkie's playground, before immersing yourself in the time-honoured skincare rituals of Sulwhasoo. The latter's flagship store doubles as a spa, where you may treat yourself to an indulgent facial or body treatment. Indeed, such restorative spaces abound in the city. Tired beauty shoppers will delight in a session at head spa to the stars including Zendaya and Ashley Graham, and a day of unwinding at luxury spa and aqua complex Cimer at Paradise City. And be sure to leave Seoul with the best souvenir of all—a K-pop star-approved make-over at Woosun Hair & Make-up. Peruse Vogue Singapore's black book of Seoul's best beauty addresses below: Courtesy of 1 / 8 Head spa to the stars, this establishment has pampered the likes of Zendaya, Michael Fassbender and Ashley Graham in its cosy, private space. It marries revitalising scalp and neck care with total wellness, from stress relief to anti-ageing, through the hands of its expert therapists. B1, 252, UN village-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, Korea. Tel: +82 70 4833-5105. Courtesy of Olive Young 2 / 8 Olive Young N Seongsu No trip to South Korea is complete without multiple, nay—daily—trips to Olive Young to stock up on health and beauty essentials. However, its N Seongsu space is a beauty junkies' playground. Dedicated to discovery, the multi-storey store boasts immersive activations of cult and emerging brands, with year-round exhibitions, one-on-one beauty makeovers and a café to boot. Olive Young N Seongsu, Factorial Seongsu, 13 Yeonmujang 7-gil, Seoul, South Korea. Tel: +82 2 497 6589. Courtesy of Sulwhasoo 3 / 8 Sulwhasoo Spa Flagship Atop the pinnacle of luxe K-beauty brands sits Sulwhasoo and with it, the most sumptuous facials and body treatments, drawing from Korean hanbang culture. The space offers two distinct categories of experiences in its Heritage and Contemporary spas—the former geared towards intensive, time-honoured rituals. Sulwhasoo Spa Flagship, B1, 18, Dosan-daero 45-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, South Korea. Tel: +82 2 541 9272. Courtesy of Cimer 4 / 8 Cimer at Paradise City Located in Paradise City, this expansive (it's 13,000 square metres) luxury spa and aqua complex has something for everyone. From the music-filled aqua spa zone housing the Cave Spa and LED-clad Virtual Spa with zones such as Milky Pool, Hinoki Pool and Outdoor Infinity Pool to the contemporary version of a Korean dry sauna, this healing centre is worth a trip for the memories and Instagram stories alone. Cimer at Paradise City, 186 Yeong jonghaeannam-ro 321-gil, Jung-gu, Incheon, South Korea. Tel: +82 2 1833 8855. Courtesy of Woosun Hair & Make-up 5 / 8 Woosun Hair & Make-up Here's where K-pop royalty gets glam. Led by make-up virtuoso Lee 'Maeng' Myung-sung—the genius behind Blackpink's directional looks—and hair guru and co-founder Kim Sunwoo, the salon counts Zico, actress Park Min-young and Girls Day's Hyeri as clients. If entering your It girl era, consider this Gangnam-based salon the ultimate beauty destination for celebrities and mere mortals alike. Woosun Hair & Make-up, 122-9 Chungdam-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, South Korea. Tel: +82 2 540 1107. Courtesy of Louis Vuitton 6 / 8 Louis Vuitton eLVes Eau de Parfum Strength, bravery and boldness: intimidating concepts to bottle in a singular statement perfume, and yet Jacques Cavallier Belletrud has done it. His ode to the heroism of women is an olfactory voyage through rose and amber, cut with lily of the valley, fruity notes and patchouli. The resulting scent unfurls with femininity and depth. Louis Vuitton eLVes Eau de Parfum, $480 for 100ml, available from Louis Vuitton Courtesy of Kosas 7 / 8 Kosas Revealer Extra Bright Serum-Powered Color Corrector Bid tired eyes adieu with this innovative colour-correcting serum. Available in a variety of shades, it combats the appearance of dark circles, puffiness and sagging thanks to a formula that's potently powered by hyaluronic acid, peptides and caffeine. Kosas Revealer Extra Bright Serum-Powered Color Corrector, $48, available at Sephora Courtesy of Aesop 8 / 8 Aesop Eleos Nourishing Body Cleanser Shower time is elevated into an otherworldly ritual with this luxe body cleanser in hand. Parched complexions are no match for its softening properties, while cedar atlas, patchouli and clove provide a refreshingly herbaceous aroma. Aesop Eleos Nourishing Body Cleanser, $57 for 180ml, available at Aesop This story appears in Vogue Singapore's May 'Sonder' issue, available online.
