(Yicai) April 30 -- L’Oréal China has said mid-to-high single-digit growth in first-quarter sales helped to consolidate the French cosmetics giant’s leading position in the Chinese market, and the business will continue to increase its investment and footprint in the country.

The Shanghai-based arm of L’Oréal did not reveal any specific numbers, though its parent company recently reported earnings for the three months ended March 31.

L’Oréal had worldwide sales of EUR12.15 billion (USD14.2 billion), representing a consolidated increase of 3.6 percent from a year earlier, 7.6 percent on a like-for-like basis, and 6.7 percent on an adjusted basis, surpassing overall growth in the global beauty market.

L'Oréal China's Luxe division had a 30 percent share of the premium market, while the cosmetics division achieved 19 percent growth, with SkinCeuticals ranking first in its category. Additionally, L'Oréal Paris and Kérastase maintain leading positions in the mass cosmetics and professional haircare sectors, respectively, it said.

Vincent Boinay, president of L'Oréal North Asia and China chief executive, said the Chinese beauty market is gradually recovering, and is performing better in some areas compared with two years ago.

Fragrance is one of the fastest-growing segments, and has significant potential, Boinay said, adding that skincare serums, mature-skin makeup, and men's beauty are also highly promising areas. L'Oréal said it will intensify its focus on high-end perfumes, while continuing to deepen its involvement in the fields of skincare science and medical aesthetics.

L'Oréal China also announced increased investment in areas including research and development and technology, saying it intends to benefit from China's strengths in artificial intelligence and industrial ecology.

Editor: Tom Litting