--FILE--Annunci per LOreal Paris cosmetici e prodotti per la dermocosmesi sono illustrati in un centro commerciale per lo shopping nella città di Xuchang, porcellane centrale provincia di Henan
--FILE--Advertisements for LOreal Paris cosmetics and skincare products are pictured at a shopping mall in Xuchang city, central Chinas Henan province, 4 January 2014. LOreal, the worlds largest cosmetics group, said sales in China grew 10.2 percent last year, down from 12.5 percent in 2012, as consumption growth slowed in China and globally. The French companys total sales in China were 13.28 billion yuan (US$2.17 billion) last year, as the country remained its the third-largest market. But Alexis Perakis-Valat, CEO of LOreal China, expects China to overtake France to become its second-largest market due to wealthier Chinese and a stronger yuan. It was also the 13th year the firms sales in China grew by double digits. He said he did not see consumption to slow sharply in China this year. He added that the firm will invest more in research and development, boost e-commerce sales and expand to smaller cities. LOreal Chinas US$843 million takeover of face mask firm Magic Holdings is set to complete in the second quarter.
