Sephora Overhauls Asia Leadership Following China Setback

THE WHAT? Global beauty retailer Sephora, owned by luxury powerhouse LVMH, has undergone a leadership shake-up in its Asia operations. Chief Executive Officer Guillaume Motte has assumed direct oversight of Greater China after the departure of former Sephora Asia President Alia Gogi, who stepped down at the end of last year.

THE DETAILS 

• Motte’s hands-on role underscores the significance of Asia—particularly China—as a key growth market for Sephora’s personal care and cosmetics portfolio.

• The retailer faces stiff competition from culturally attuned local players, a slowdown in consumer spending, and shifting preferences toward home-grown Chinese beauty brands.

• Despite rapid expansion in the US and Europe, Sephora has shuttered operations in Taiwan and South Korea and incurred losses in mainland China in pursuit of market share.

• Former Nike Asia executive Ding Xia now reports directly to Motte, focusing on an updated product mix featuring niche international offerings and local Chinese brands.

• LVMH founder Bernard Arnault continues to prioritize Sephora’s global growth, with a target of reaching €20 billion in revenue within about three years.

THE WHY? Challenges in cracking the Chinese beauty market have prompted Sephora to double down on leadership focus, product strategy, and local partnerships. As consumer groups in Asia grow more discerning, the retailer is restructuring to better align with cultural nuances and price sensitivities, positioning itself to capture the region’s high-growth potential.

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