South Korean cosmetics manufacturers are bolstering their offensive in the North American market as sales in China and Japan have fallen sharply.

LG Household & Health Care Ltd.’s North American sales for the first quarter of this year amounted to US$102 million, an increase of 21.1 per cent from last year.

This contrasts sharply with the company’s sales in China ($70.6 million) and Japan ($68.2 million), which decreased by 14.1 per cent and 12.8 per cent, respectively.

Industry leader Amorepacific Group’s sales in Asia for the first quarter of this year were $208.7 million, a drop of 27 per cent from last year.

In contrast, their North American sales were $47.6 million, an increase of 80 per cent.

Cosmetics manufacturers have been seeking a basis for mid-term growth, and the North American market has now become crucial.

In response, LG Household & Health Care appointed Moon Hye-young, who previously handled marketing for Starbucks and Amazon in the United States, as the head of the company’s North American operations.

LG Household & Health Care CEO Lee Jung-ae emphasized the importance of the North American market during her New Year’s address in January, vowing to boost business capacity.

Meanwhile, Amorepacific is reportedly considering acquiring a high-potential local beauty firm to increase its presence in the North American market this year.

This story was originally published by Ashley Song, via Korea Bizwire.