The China Fragrance Opportunity:

China’s fragrance market is in a phase of accelerated growth. 

In 2021, the overall retail sales of China's perfume market accounted for only 4.1% of the world perfume market, but the compound annual growth rate in the past five years (2016-2021) was 21.4%, which is about ten times that of the world market. By 2026, the sales of the overall Chinese perfume market  are expected to reach £4.4 billion, and the compound annual growth rate will remain at about 22.3%, about three times the overall growth rate of the world perfume market.

Luxury perfumes are the main driver for the growth of the Chinese fragrance market. The proportion of the high-end fragrance market has increased year by year, from 70% in 2015 to 91% in 2020. Among them, premium unisex perfume is the sub-category with the highest compound annual growth rate.

Chinese consumers have a high degree of recognition of established  perfume houses, such as Gucci and Dior, but there are still opportunities for new brands. In the last three years, the top ten performing fragrance brands in China were all international brands, but the market share of a single brand did not exceed 10%, and the total market share of the top ten brands was just 42%, which leaves opportunities for newcomers to this market.

Notes Shanghai:

Hosted for the first time only in 2024 in Shanghai, Notes Shanghai is the most renowned B2B and B2C exhibition in the fragrance and perfume sector in China at the moment. Held twice a year in spring and autumn, Notes Shanghai attracts both professional visitors and perfume enthusiasts in China, providing an excellent window of showcasing for both Chinese and international perfume brands. In the most recent Notes Shanghai exhibition in October 2024, 180 boutique fragrance brands from 15 countries, 9 perfume boutique stores, and 14 high-end luxury brands were exhibited. A total number of over 4,000 professional buyers and 8,000 mass consumers visited the show.

Taking advantage of this booming time for the perfume sector in China and the show, CBBC is planning to organise a fragrance and perfume trade mission to Notes Shanghai in March 2025. The mission is suitable for both new-to-China brands to only explore the market and meet potential partners, and for more experienced brands to revisit the market and raise brand awareness.

Discover the full event programme here

Registration:

In order to secure your booth in the UK pavilion and participation in the CBBC programmes at Notes Shanghai, please email Antoaneta Becker (Director, Consumer Economy, CBBC) by 10th January 2025 at Antoaneta.Becker@cbbc.org.

Later registrations will only be considered for visitors but not exhibitors. Please book your place at your earliest opportunity.

We will organise a briefing call to discuss your needs and offer further details on the programme where needed. 

An invoice will be raised to complete payment and secure your space. 

Please note – this mission will go ahead subject to a confirmed number of delegates. Early registration is advised.