Shiseido

Shiseido Company, Limited
Native name
 株式会社資生堂
Kabushiki-gaisha Shiseidō
Public (K.K.)
Traded as TYO: 4911
OTCQX: SSDOY
OTCQX 30 component
Topix large 70 component
Industry Consumer goods
Founded 1872
Headquarters Chūō, Tokyo, Japan
Key people
 Shinzo Maeda, President and CEO (ending April 1, 2014)
Masahiko Uotani, President and CEO (April 1, 2014- Current)[1]
Products Cosmetics
Revenue Increase ¥723,485 million (FY2007)
Increase ¥35,460 million (FY2007)
Number of employees
 33,356 (2013)
Subsidiaries Bare Escentuals
Beaute Prestige International
NARS Cosmetics
Website shiseido.com
Shiseido shop in Hanoi, Vietnam

Shiseido Company, Limited (株式会社資生堂, Kabushiki-gaisha Shiseidō, Japanese: [ɕiseeꜜdoː]) is a Japanese multinational personal care company, that is a skin care, hair care, cosmetics and fragrance producer. It is one of the oldest cosmetics companies in the world. Founded in 1872, it celebrated its 140th anniversary in 2012.[2][3] It is the largest cosmetic firm in Japan and the fifth largest cosmetics company in the world.[4] Shiseido is only available at cosmetic counters at selected department stores or pharmacists, and at their own website. The company owns numerous brands and subsidiaries worldwide, in addition to its founding label. The company trades on the Tokyo stock exchange, and it is a chief competitor of SK-II.

History

Arinobu Fukuhara, former head pharmacist to the Japanese Imperial Navy, established the Shiseido Pharmacy in 1872. After a visit to the United States and Europe, Arinobu added a soda fountain to the store. This later grew into the Shiseido Parlour restaurant business, and eventually led to the introduction of ice cream in Japan. The name "Shiseido" can be translated as "praise the virtues of the earth which nurtures new life and brings forth significant values".[5]

Shiseido was the first to develop the softening lotion, a lightweight liquid of toner-like consistency. The oldest softening lotion is named Eudermine, which is still marketed and sold at all Shiseido counters. The softening lotion was developed in response to lead poisoning, as the Japanese women used makeup based on white lead.

Timeline

In 1917, Shiseido introduced Rainbow Face Powder. This was a face powder with seven colors in a period when white face powders were the norm in Japan.[6] In 1923, the company began expanding its store-base; it now has approximately 25,000 outlets. A joint-stock company was formed in 1927.

In 1957, Shiseido began sales in Taiwan, closely followed by Singapore and Hong Kong. In 1962, Shiseido expanded to Hawaii; in 1965, it established Shiseido Cosmetics America. European sales began with Italy in 1968 and Oceania with New Zealand in 1971.[7]

In 1985, Shiseido was the first company to produce sodium hyaluronate (hyaluronic acid/hyaluronan) from non-animal origin sources.[8] In North America and Europe, Shiseido products are sold in major department stores, pharmacies, and specialty Asian retailers.

Finances and operations

In the first quarter of 2013, Shiseido had a net profit of 2.66 billion yen or USD $26.87 million on sales of 162.36 billion yen, or $1.64 billion.[9] On 15 July 2013, Shiseido announced it was opening a wholly owned subsidiary in India.[10] On 20 February 2014, Shiseido agreed to sell its Carita and Decléor brands to L’Oréal for €227.5 million (USD$312.93 million (2014) as it couldn't manage to capture the French market or understand the brands' potential; this sale resulted in Shiseido showing profits despite running into losses.[11]

In February 2016, Masahiko Uotani was replaced as the CEO.

Current skincare products

In Japan, Shiseido sells Elixir Superieur skincare products for women, Aqua Label skincare and toiletry products for daily use, Uno skincare products for men, Clé de Peau Beauté makeup, skin and body care, Benefique skincare and Anessa suncare lines.

Make-up

In Japan, Shiseido sells Benefique pre-makeup and foundation products, Maquillage full-line makeup counselling-based (with a beauty advisor) products, and Integrate full-line makeup self-selection-based (no sales staff) products.

In China, aside from Maquillage, Shiseido also sells Aupres, its major makeup brand there.

Elsewhere, Shiseido produces a line of cosmetics simply called "The Makeup" that provide a full range of products including lip products, powder eye shadows, eye liner pencils, mascara, fluid and compact foundations, concealers, and powder blush. Their hydro powder eye shadows which have a creamy texture are among Allure magazine's top beauty picks.[12]

Company portfolio subsidiaries

BPI brands at independent New Zealand department store Ballantynes in Christchurch
BPI brands at Westfield Queensgate branch of New Zealand department store chain Farmers

Shiseido also once owned ZIRH International, a New York City-based producer of men's skincare and fragrance products under the ZIRH and Corduroy brands. In September 2007, Shiseido sold ZIRH back to an investment group owned by Brian Robinson, the former president of ZIRH.

Animal Testing

In 2017, Shiseido's subsidiary company, NARS Cosmetics, announced it was going to start testing their products on animals. In defend its decision, the company stated "We have decided to make NARS available in China because we feel it is important to bring our vision of beauty and artistry to fans in the region. Nars does not test on animals or ask others to do so on our behalf, except where required by law". [14]

Notes

  1. ↑ Weil, Jennifer (24 December 2013). "Shiseido Names New President and CEO". WWD. Retrieved 26 December 2013.
  2. ↑ SHISEIDO Frequently Asked Questions - SHISEIDO USA - FAQ 1.
  3. ↑ Five Good-Looking Cosmetic Stocks - Seeking Alpha
  4. ↑ Japan's Shiseido Agrees to Acquire Bare Escentuals - WSJ.com
  5. ↑ COSMETICS - Shiseido - VEPA GROUP
  6. ↑ About Shiseido - BANBATSU SHISEI (The Origins)
  7. ↑ History. Shiseido Group.
  8. ↑ SHISEIDO Sodium Hyaluronate :History - shiseido.co.jp
  9. ↑ Wetherille, Kelly (July 31, 2013). "Shiseido Swings to Black in Q1". WWD. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
  10. ↑ Wetherille, Kelly (July 19, 2013). "Shiseido Sets Subsidiary in India". WWD. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
  11. ↑ Kaiser, Amanda (19 February 2014). "Shiseido Sells Carita, Decléor to L’Oréal". WWD. Retrieved 20 February 2014.
  12. ↑ Allure Best of Beauty 2008 - Allure.com
  13. ↑ Clé de Peau Beauté
  14. ↑ "Nars make-up boycotted, after cosmetics tested on animals in China". BBC. 28 June 2017. Retrieved 28 June 2017.

References

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