Amore Pacific Essay

AmorePacific, the leader in the Korean market for beauty products, was established in 1945 with a strong focus on researching and developing products based on Korean home remedies. The company 1959, listed its shares in the Korea Stock Exchange in 1973, and changed its name to AmorePacific Corporation in 1993. Industry dynamics and pace of development at Amore Pacific accelerated greatly during the 1990s. Domestically, anticipated entry by multinationals forced major changes in corporate and business strategy with a rigorous refocus on cosmetics by the mid-1990s, slashing of affiliates and reduction of headcount.[At the business level, it repositioned itself and its brands domestically and deepened its commitments by investing in product development and manufacturing as well as marketing/distribution in selected foreign markets, gearing itself for the challenges of the new millennium. Suggested Assignment Questions 1.Where does AmorePacific make most of its money? How has it been able to dominate the Korean market against local firms such as LG Household and Healthcare (HHC)? Against multinationals such as L’Oreal? 2.Assess the performance of MNC’s – how do they compare against local competitors? What are the reasons for local companies outperforming MNC’s? 3.Which of AmorePacific’s three principal international targets—France/Europe, China and the United States—seems the most promising? Should a penetration strategy for the U.S./Europe differ from that for China? 4.What other recommendations would you make to Suh Kyung-Bae about AmorePacific’s internationalization? Class Timeline The timeline for a typical class of 80 minutes might be as follows; Timing Introduction5 minutes SWOT analysis and challenges faced by local companies in the face 25minutes of foreign competitors Examination of the economics of local vs. multinational entrants20 minutes Identification of patterns in market selection and20 minutes discussion of future opportunities Update & Summary10 minutes TOTAL:80 minutes Case Analysis AMORE PACIFIC’s initial exploration of exporting face powders to USA based Coty, coupled with its strong market share in Korea, and its strength in herbal/ home remedies all paved the way for a successful entry into the international arena. But this path was not without the initial bumps as AmorePacific had a slow start; success only came about after deep understanding of the various foreign markets along with committed R&D and infrastructure investment. The biggest future challenge for AmorePacific is achieving synergy across its main markets and continuing with further expansions into new markets/ countries. For this a comprehensive strategy outlining products, production/ sourcing, marketing and distribution is required. This is important because in a very diverse world, many foreign contexts will be alien to many of the managers who must decide on cross-border issues. In such situations, success in home country is not enough. 1)Where does AmorePacific make most of its money? How has it been able to dominate the Korean market against local firms such as LG Household and Healthcare (HHC)? Against multinationals such as L’Oreal? In 2004 Amore pacific nabbed a place in the top 30 companies worldwide with a 30% share of the Korean market. While that of LG Household and Healthcare stood at 8% within the same context. Amongst other reasons one of the reasons for its relatively slow progress in comparison to Amorepacific was its late entry into the cosmetics business along with the heavy financial and restructuring costs over the same time period. This lead to a lack of innovation on its part generally following a me-too strategy to AmorePacific. For example setting up its own chain of stores and establishing door to door sales netwoek without a clear strategy. According to exhibit 7 AmorePacfic leads the market with significant investments in advertising, sales, and R&D; 20,000 Amore women, 350 specialty outlets versus 39 outlets for LG, development of innovative and relevant distribution channels and strong positioning of different product lines are just a few of the examples. Multinationals entering the market was relatively difficult due to the government division and depreciation of the dollar. This was magnified with the fact that the multinationals like L’oreal had to import their products due to a lack of investment in production infrastructure. This lead to a higher cost of goods sold mainly due to high tariff rates of 8%. Consequently leading to a high priced product to the consumer and this availability and distribution was restricted to high priced departmental store channels. We can see that LG HHC was losing money, and was never very profitable in economic terms, after allowing for cost of capital. This was mainly due to limited access/scale of distribution; cosmetics was not the main business for LG HHC. On the other hand Amore Pacific enjoyed a strategic advantage over LG as all their efforts were centered around the cosmetics business and they had greater advantages to leverage and typically get trade and consumer on their side; thus share of specific market winning over total size of business. AmorePacific had been earning healthy (20%-plus) operating  margins on the Korean cosmetic business whereas LG had seen its profitability drop down to zero in 2004. In a situation like this considering price realizations, or the willingness to pay; it is difficult to support a door-to-door sales force if you’ve got a 10%, 15% share of the market. 2)Assess the performance of MNC’s – how do they compare against local competitors? What are the reasons for local companies outperformaing MNC’s? Amore PacificL’OrealP&GUnileverShiseido Global Expansion strategyMainly centering around acquisitions in the Asian market starting off with Mininurse in China which was a well penetrated skin-care brand and later Yue-Sai. This enabled L’Oreal to bank on the existing company’s consumer and market expertise in the region without initiating heavy investment in product development, distribution or marketing strategy. Focus on Inorganic growth. Shiseido favored a joint investment with local partners. ProtectionismLarge established share; FDI’s welcomes at much later stage in country Financial supportGlobal presence provided the backbone for investments in the wake of Korea’s financial and money market crisis. R&DVertical integration aiding operations and quick product development. Successive launches of Hera, IOPE and Sulwhasoo focusing on different age groups, SEC’s and distribution channels. Focus on developing products as per Korean tastes rose after 10 years of its presence in Korea Distribution Rationalized distribution: AmorePacific was operating at three distribution markets. One was mass, the other one was door to door, and the third one was specialty Success in self developed channel of door-to-door (contributing 85% sales comprising 20,000 women employees) and agility in specialty stores (Amore opened 350 outlets in Korea while for LG opened only 39.)Concentration on high end/ high cost department store channel. Shisiedo opened up Les Salons du Palais Royal, a high end beauty parlor in Paris in 1992 and focussed on providing â€Å"beauty consulting† to consumers Marketing ExpenditureStrong focus with media advertising, beauty magazines and sponsoring relevant events; moving onto more innovative means of communication via magazines and new media. High investment in advertising spend and expertise in marketing management. Shisiedo localised product development but used global modeling for marketing (Eau d’Issey by Issey Miyake of Japan and Jean Paul Gaultier, named after its French creator) Cost vs. Foreignness advantageLocal manufacturing with indigenous materials sustaining prices at lower levels than MNC’s. Added support through the â€Å"Made in Korea† campaign. Adapting to market conditions; sticking to local celebrities albeit at higher cost to consumers Product PortfolioFocus on skin care and products developed typically for the Korean woman (products developed from home remedies with ginseng proving to be USP). Leverage of the biggest global beauty brands in its portfolio. To keep prices affordable for local consumers L’Oreal launched Maybelline with little success in bringing down relative pricesAlso operating in household products but mainstay was Olay; a personal care brandLargest player in various food categories with an extensive interest in personal care Competing in global perfumes market as well as cosmetics. Brand management/restructuring: Strong brand personality, project top of the line product, Asian beauty with global appeal; supported by a strong diverse product line each with their distinct positioning. Scale/ relative size: Amore Pacific’s cosmetic presence was about three times as big versus LG. Given that R&D, and advertising should be considered fixed costs and wouldn’t vary with volume; assuming they spend 10% on R&D and sales, and 14%, 15% advertising, supported by a higher local share, AP can amortize the cost over their international volume. Better understanding of the market: This lead to stronger strategies that were not easy to implement for multinational companies who have less flexibility and were not as prepared to come with a door-to-door sales force or the same marketing tactics. Product development and R&D: Having a strong R&D infrastructure provides a strength like no other and also serves a a strong barrier to entry for multinationals. Brand loyalty: Amore Pacififc has been number one in the Korean market for 60 years and has a solid line of loyal consumers and traders on its side. 3)Which of AmorePacific’s three principal international  targets—France/Europe, China and the United States—seems the most promising? Should a penetration strategy for the U.S./Europe differ from that for China? ChinaFranceUSA Market positionEconomy considered poorer and smaller than KoreaSignificant; requiring focused investment in R&D, strategy and productionV small/dual problems Market characteristicsGeographically and culturally closer. Middle of the line product range with focus on naturalist and product driven consumersDistant in consumer tastes and market peculiarities; perfumes vs. skin care and makeup. Geographically distant; prestige market seemingly offering higher potential. Market potentialPopulation of 1.3bn; potentially with rising incomes. Considered â€Å"home of cosmetics† and important to gain strong foothold in global beauty business industry. Largest personal care market in size; $33bn. -Which market makes most sense for cosmetic company from Korea/how do you select which market to go into? CulturalAdministrativeGeographicEconomic Close cultural ties involving i) script – The Korean alphabet (Hangeul) not developed until 1392 ii) Colonial rule – China ruled North Korea from 108 B.C. to 313 A.D.; iii) Similarities in values and traditions – Chinese herbal medicines used in South Korea iv)Religion – Confucianism and Buddhism are common religious and moral systems v)differences in concepts of beauty and levels of personal hygiene vi)varying importance, usage and importance of personal care products vii)Home bias: preference for using local brands viii)influence of traditions on personal care products No cultural associations with France or USA; distinctly separate culture, values and traditions across both continents from that of Koreai) No shared monetary or political association ii) Little political hostility (China backing North Korea; South Koreans moving toward reconciliation with North Korea iii) Democracy (South Korea) versus Communism (China) iv) High government involvement in Chinese industry; presence of state-owned enterprises, many of which are inefficient and/or insolvent Relatively less government involvement in South Korean industry v)Both countries harbor distrust of Japan (recent colonial memories) vi)potential discrimination against French products No administrative ties with France or USA; disadvantage of not being part of EUCommon border; in the 19th century, South Korea closed all borders to trade except for the one with China Strong logistic set-up coupled with infrastructural investment involving production, distribution and marketing. Differences in climate affecting usage, need and type of personal care productsDisparity in disposable income levels Gap in % of wages spent on personal care Differences in infrastructure and distribution structures The second part of the question should be analyzed using the ADDING value framework Adding Volume Fulfillment of the 2015 vision required global expansion with significant growth from the international markets. †¢In 2004, Amore Pacific had international sales worth $100mn. Coming from France, China and USA and modestly from Hong Kong and Taiwan. Geographic affinity to China coupled with close cultural ties and similar distribution scenario vs. greater investment in R&D, brand development and marketing strategy in USA †¢The value of growth had to pass the ROI test with business earning positive economic results coupled with greatest market potential. Decreasing Costs ï  ¬Global expansion can decrease costs through either size (scale/scope) economies or absolute economies. ï  ¬Size-based cost economies seem redundant in this industry: product/ brand affiliations center more around brand benefit, loyalty and credibility; expenditures on product development and branding are constant ï  ¬Similarities in opportunities across both countries includes ï  ¬Set-up of specialty stores prolific in both countries; ROI  seemingly better in USA since target market is upper SEC ï  ¬Retail expansion leading to price affordability of products Differentiating/Driving up Willingness to Pay USA market focused on prestige product line; Brand-building with new product line containing Asian botanicals in USA Amore Pacific beauty gallery and Spa in Soho New York adding imagery Special ingredient â€Å"green tea extract† adding to exclusive image Chinese consumer more product driven; ï‚ Growing popularity of Korean culture; â€Å"Hallyu† with support from Korean film stars and celebrities ï‚ image creation and brand building through beauty centers, culture halls, and â€Å"Hyangjang† the magazine published by Amore Pacific. Improving Industry Attractivenessï  ¬Entering new territories with market relevant products; perfumes in France, luxury products in USA. ï  ¬Constant innovation to meet continuous demands of consumers ï  ¬Lucrative market – excellent future prospects; growth expected to exceed increase in global GDP ï  ¬Evidence of product improvements trickling down into the â€Å"masstige† market ï  ¬New trade and distribution channels enabling wider access to consumers Neutralizing Risk†¢Frequent economic crisis on the home front leading to inflexibility of investment abroad †¢Differing strategies and product lines across international markets †¢Differing consumer tastes requiring further investme nt and R&D; short lived span for perfumes vs. longer spans for skin care products. Generating and Upgrading Knowledge/Capabilities/ Other Resourcesï  ¬Constant R&D both at the technical and consumer front ï  ¬International aspiration: multinational management, international consultants, product development and brand / corporate image repositioning 4)What other recommendations would you make to Suh Kyung-Bae about AmorePacific’s internationalization? Product innovationSpecialty ingredients like green tea’s proven success along with Korean herbal/ medicinal heritage; focus for future product  developments Distribution structureSpecialty and discount stores gaining importance for masstige channel; large scale supermarkets and hyper markets also increasing in importance to gain masstige market appeal. Party plans involving product demonstrations/sales to groups of consumers to be explored as a future alternative Building brands and credibilityContinue brand / image building efforts in both upscale and mass markets Inorganic growthEvaluate acquiring smaller/ financially distressed players in both key and upcoming markets like Hong Kong and Taiwan. Can we give reference to some academic theories here, based on issues of internationalization strategy?