Discount retail chain Olive Young manages to thrive amidst tariff challenges in the U.S., while domestic competitors Daiso and Coupang strengthen their grip in South Korea.
Scoop on Olive Young: A Korean Beauty Retailer in the Hot Seat
Hang tight, dear reader! You're about to get the lowdown on South Korea's leading beauty and health retailer, Olive Young. Ready to dive in and explore the challenges, opportunities, and recent developments swirling around this K-beauty giant? Here's the deal:
The Hot Spots for Olive Young
- Domestic Troubles: Olive Young finds itself in a pickle with declining sales, thanks to the fierce competition from retail giants like Daiso in brick-and-mortar stores and Coupang in e-commerce. It's a bummer because this has got everyone talking about negative growth and sluggish consumption at home[1][5].
- Still Reigning Supreme: Despite the headwinds, Olive Young continues to hold its crown as a major hub for K-beauty products. tourist and local shoppers alike can't get enough of this beauty haven[1][3].
Cooking Up a Storm: Recent Moves
- Crossing the Pacific: In the spirit of expansion, Olive Young set sail for the U.S. by launching a subsidiary in LA in February 2025. It's all part of their global growth game plan and an effort to surf the wave of rising popularity for Korean beauty products in America[1].
- Bash in Seoul: Don't miss the 2025 OLIVE YOUNG FESTA, happening from May 21 to 25 in the heart of Seoul. This outdoor festival is a K-beauty and health extravaganza, complete with over 100 brands, immersive experiences, and tons of entertainment[2][4].
- Engaging with its Tribe: Olive Young keeps its fans in the know through social media and collaborations with influencers. They're all about sharing K-beauty faves and new trends[3].
So there you have it! Olive Young—stuck between a rock and a hard place but still standing strong. Catch the spirit of their upcoming festival, and remember, good things come to those who keep up with the K-beauty game!
[1] https://www.yonhapnews.co.kr/business/2025/02/03/1015000000AKR20250203000800002.html[2] https://www.koreabizwire.com/news/sung-kyung-kang/view/2239107[3] https://www.companyinfo.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=39831[4] https://www.korea.net/news/news.php?id=223377[5] https://www.asianeconomy.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=189644
- The fierce competition from retail giants like Daiso in brick-and-mortar stores and Coupang in e-commerce has led to declining sales for Olive Young within the South Korean market, creating industry-wide discussions about negative growth and sluggish consumption.
- Despite these domestic troubles, Olive Young remains a dominant player in the beauty industry, attracting both local and tourist shoppers as a major hub for K-beauty products.
- In a strategic move to expand its business, Olive Young launched a subsidiary in LA in February 2025 as part of its global growth plan to capitalize on the rising popularity of Korean beauty products in the US market.
- To engage with its fanbase and promote K-beauty trends, Olive Young utilizes social media and collaborations with influencers, sharing favorite products and industry news with its followers.
