At China International Import Expo (CIIE) 2025, Dolce&Gabbana promised to enter China's beauty market in 2026. At the 9th CIIE in 2026, Gianluca Toniolo, CEO of Dolce&Gabbana Beauty, declared to National Business Daily (NBD): "We have delivered on our promise."

Gianluca Toniolo Photo/Zhu Yu (NBD)

Throughout 2026, the brand launched flagship stores on Tmall and JD.com, and opened its first counter at Shanghai Jiu Guang Department Store. As fashion faces headwinds, beauty has become the group's main growth driver, reaching €1 billion in 2025 turnover—more than tripling its 2022 levels.

Group revenue fell 2% to €1.86 billion in FY2025/26, but beauty provided critical top-line support.

"Beauty has become an essential pillar, and by turnover, it is currently perhaps our largest single category," Toniolo told NBD. "Three years ago, fragrances made up 98% of sales; today, we have full makeup and skincare lines. Products like a $40 lipstick or $100 fragrance lower the barrier to entry, helping us engage younger consumers earlier."

Photo/Provided to NBD

With the Asia-Pacific region accounting for just 8% of beauty revenue (versus 55% in the Americas), China represents a vital growth frontier.

"China is a mature, highly demanding market where consumers focus deeply on ingredients," Toniolo emphasized. "We are fully prepared, having developed formulations engineered specifically for Asian and Chinese preferences." Expanding to landmark locations in Wuhan and Hainan, skincare rollouts will follow by year-end.

China's cosmetics sales reached 349.1 billion yuan (Jan–Sep 2026, up 6.1%), with domestic brands commanding 57.37% online market share. Meanwhile, global giants like L'Oréal and Estée Lauder continue aggressive expansions.

Photo/Provided to NBD

Building long-term trust in this crowded landscape will test Dolce&Gabbana. Yet Toniolo remains resolute: "Now is the right time to enter. By collaborating closely with local partners, we aim for sustained long-term growth in China."