Cosmetics: saving face

Chairman Mao once said women should "hold up half the sky". But when it comes to consumer spending decisions, they are exceeding their quota. Measure after measure shows China's women as the prime driver of consumerism – and it is this willingness to spend that makes the cosmetics sector a perennial outperformer in China's retail universe.

China Confidential Funds

China Confidential Funds, a new research service launched by FT China Confidential, is dedicated to illuminating the mainland fund industry. Our team of fund industry experts in Shanghai search out the interesting trends in fund performance, strategy, interactions with overseas funds, regulatory changes, distribution and management. We also use a proprietary system to track the emerging flows of Chinese money. Click here to find out more.

Other Articles on this Issue

• Financial China

  Rmb appreciation. Will 2010 be the year?

  Informal lending takes off, regulation proposed

• Consumer China

  Sephora: China growth 'extraordinary'

  Hong Kong still Sa Sa's mainstay

  Shiseido pushes global expansion

  Shanghai Jahwa: homegrown victor

  Bonjour mainland visitors

  Watsons eyes expansion

• Macro View

  Succession politics

• The Big Call

  Factor inflation shows overheating

• Guest Column

  The outlook for Chinese listings

• The Best of Chinese Commentators

  The course of monetary tightening

  Where have all the migrants gone?

• Funds Data

  China stays out of favour

• Capital Intensive China

  Smart moves

• View issue