The cosmetics industry is one of the largest companies in the world. The industry’s continued growth has resulted in intense competition and rising consumer expectations. Therefore, consumer behavior plays a fundamental role in formulating marketing strategies. The Vietnamese cosmetics market is no exception. Cosmetic brands in Vietnam need to understand consumers to meet their needs and build a strong market position. This article aims to explore Vietnamese consumers in the cosmetics market and provide foreign brands with marketing practices based on consumer behavior.
By Thi Kim Khanh Nguyen, Thanh Thao Nguyen and Marja Viljanen
Vietnamese Consumers in the Cosmetics Industry
In recent years, there have been many changes in shopping behavior patterns in Vietnam, especially among young adults belonging to Generation Z and late millennials. As these generations were exposed to many developmental privileges and the effects of the Internet and globalization early on, their thinking has changed a lot. Rising living standards coupled with the impact of globalization has led to a significant rise in quality awareness among consumers. This leads them to demand more original products and great customer service. (Oxford Business Group 2019.)
Among Vietnamese consumers, especially women, the use of cosmetics and makeup products has gradually increased social value and significance. The percentage of people who don’t wear makeup dropped from 24 percent in 2016 to 14 percent in early 2019. Vietnamese women are also increasingly using skincare products, with 73% of 480 respondents using skincare products at least once a week in a study conducted by Q&Me. (2019 Q&A.)
With the growth of online shopping, online communication and media have greatly influenced the shopping behavior of Vietnamese consumers. In recent years, there has been an increase in beauty blogs and influencers where individuals can express their opinion on cosmetics. According to a survey by Kengo (2018), 91% of those who participated in his survey and regularly used makeup products admitted to having seen makeup reviews and tutorials on YouTube. A typical Vietnamese spends about US$50 per month on cosmetics, other recreational products, and clothing (Chi, 2018). The money is not enough to buy cosmetics from luxury brands. As a result, Vietnamese consumers tend to look for cosmetics and other related products that are affordable and durable.
Marketing Practice of Foreign Cosmetics Brands
The study was conducted at Shiseido Group, a Japanese multinational cosmetics company. They have been promoting their business in Vietnam since 1997. Due to the growth of Vietnam’s cosmetics market, Shiseido Group hopes to expand its business and strengthen its position in the market. (Vinny 2017.) Although the proposed marketing practices are formulated for Shiseido Group Vietnam, they also apply to other international cosmetic brands in Vietnam to some extent. The empirical study included 3 interviews and an online survey with 197 valid responses. (Nguyen & Nguyen 2019.) Based on empirical and secondary data, marketing practice recommendations are made for case companies.
The first suggestion is about the product of the case company. As consumers are environmentally conscious, the case company should focus on manufacturing cosmetics using natural ingredients. The packaging should have an oriental style to cater to the Vietnamese aesthetic. Skin care products are the specialty of Shiseido. This allows them to focus on promoting quality skin care products that are value for money. Second, the price of case companies is quite expensive for Vietnamese consumers. For Shiseido Group, price reduction is very difficult, because there are other costs to consider. It is recommended that the company focus on millennials, aged between 23 and 38, with stable income and able to afford the premium price of the brand. The case company should carry out consumer promotions such as: B. Discounts and membership programs. (Nguyen & Nguyen 2019.)
Third, in order to make the company’s products more acceptable to consumers, the company should open its own independent retail stores and showrooms in the main urban areas of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. This can also reassure consumers about the origin of the product as there are counterfeit products in the market. As for advertising, Shiseido Vietnam’s official Facebook page should pay more attention to users’ questions and comments. Instagram and YouTube pages should open in Vietnamese. In addition to social media, beauty magazines and websites can also be used for advertising. Since YouTube is one of the biggest channels for Vietnamese consumers to share makeup tips, the company can also partner with beauty bloggers and celebrities to use its products. If reputable consumers can actually endorse the product, new consumers will be interested in trying the brand. (Nguyen & Nguyen 2019.)
Conclusion
Since the Vietnamese market is monopolized by foreign brands, it becomes a driving force to promote business in Vietnam. At the same time, competition among international brands is intensifying. Being able to meet the needs of consumers is one factor that puts a business in a good position. With the rapid development of technology and the Internet, consumer behavior, perceptions and opinions are changing. Therefore, businesses should monitor and adapt to changing consumer behavior.
References
- Chi, K. 2018. Vietnam’s US$2 billion cosmetics market controlled by foreign brands. Vietnamnet. [Cited 8March 2019]. Available at: https://english.vietnamnet.vn/fms/business/198524/vietnam-s-us-2-billion-cosmetics-market-controlled-by-foreign-brands.html
- Kengo, K. 2018. Cosmetics Market in 2018 and the growth of online shopping. Brands Vietnam. [Cited and translated 8 March 2019]. Available at: https://www.brandsvietnam.com/congdong/topic/9223-Thi-truong-my-pham-2018-va-su-bung-no-mua-hang-truc-tuyen
- Nguyen, K. & Nguyen, T. 2019. Developing Marketing Practices Based on Consumer Behavior. Case Company: Shiseido Group Vietnam. Bachelor’s Thesis. Lahti University of Applied Sciences, Business Administration. [Cited 14 April 2019]. Available at: http://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-201903304042
- Oxford Business Group. 2019. Foreign Brands Eyeing Vietnam Due to Growing Young Population and Liberalising Reforms. [Cited 4March 2019]. Available at: https://oxfordbusinessgroup.com/overview/talking-shop-growing-young-population-and-liberalising-reforms-have-foreign-brands-eyeing-vietnam
- Q&Me. 2019. Research on Vietnamese cosmetics market 2019. [Cited 8 March 2019]. Available at: https://qandme.net/en/report/research-vietnam-cosmetic-market-2019.html
- Vinny, H. 2017. Nars comes to Vietnam. Retail in Asia. [Cited 6 October 2018]. Available at: https://retailinasia.com/in-sectors/health-and-beauty/nars-comes-to-vietnam/
Authors
Thi Kim Khanh Nguyen has studied Business and Administration at Faculty of Business and Hospitality Management at Lahti University of Applied Sciences and has graduated and received a BBA degree in April 2019.
Thanh Thao Nguyen has studied Business and Administration at Faculty of Business and Hospitality Management at Lahti University of Applied Sciences and has graduated and received a BBA degree in April 2019.
Marja Viljanen works as a Senior Lecturer at the Faculty of Business and Hospitality Management, Lahti University of Applied Sciences.
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