offline stores are mostly located in the bustling
commercial areas of first- and second-tier cities in
China. These areas usually have a large flow of
people and the consumer groups there generally
have strong purchasing power, high income levels,
and high demands for quality of life. The decoration
of offline stores is mostly exquisite and luxurious,
and they exude an upscale atmosphere, which
enables SK-II's offline stores to stand out in
comparison with other stores.
3.1.2 Demographic Segmentation
SK-II's target consumers are mainly adult women,
especially mature women over 25 years old, who
have a pursuit of skin care product quality. The
brand tends to target customers who pursue high
quality, who attach great importance to the
performance and effect of the products and are
willing to pay a high price for them. At the same
time, SK-II is gradually expanding into the young
consumer and male markets. The demand for skin
care products among young consumers (aged 20-30)
is gradually increasing, and the male market has
become a new growth point for SK-II. In addition,
SK-II mainly targets middle and high-income
groups, who are willing to pay a premium for its
high-quality skin care experience.
3.1.3 Psychographic Segmentation
Luxury goods are consumer products that go beyond
basic living needs and integrate functions such as
use value, social and cultural symbolism, and
personal display (Wiedmann, Hennigs & Siebels,
2009). Most existing studies are based on the
perspective of motivation, suggesting that
materialists are keen on luxury consumption to
showcase their social status, identity, and self-worth
(Fitzmaurice & Comegys, 2024). SK-II's target
consumers value the quality of life and pursue a
refined and elegant lifestyle. They tend to choose
brands that can showcase their personal taste and
social status, and SK-II's high-end image is highly
consistent with their values. Through emotional
marketing and cultural communication, SK-II has
successfully attracted consumers with such concepts.
3.1.4 Behavioral Segmentation
SK-II focuses on addressing consumers' deep-seated
skin care needs, such as anti-aging, skin brightening,
and skin barrier repair. Through high-quality
products and emotional marketing, SK-II has
cultivated a group of highly loyal consumers. These
consumers not only have a high level of trust in the
brand but are also willing to pay a premium for it.
3.2 Target Market Selection
3.2.1 Core Target Market
SK-II's core target market is mature women aged
25-25, who have a high demand for skin care
products and usually have high income levels and
are willing to pay a premium for the brand.
3.2.2 Regional Target Market
SK-II's market is mainly distributed in East Asia and
Southeast Asia. Consumers in these regions have a
high demand for and acceptance of skin care
products. Thanks to the rapid economic growth and
the expansion of the middle class in East Asia and
Southeast Asia, as well as the long-standing tradition
and high regard for skin care in these cultures, the
demand for luxury skin care products in this region
has become increasingly intense, making it the
third-largest luxury consumer region globally.
Reports show that in the entire Asia-Pacific region,
more than half of the respondents believe that
wearing luxury brands is a way to display their
social status: 67% in China, 75% in Indonesia, 70%
in Thailand, and 67% in India. The age range of
luxury consumers in China is from 20 to 50 years
old, while in Europe and America, it is generally
around 30 to 40 years old. Moreover, Chinese
consumers aged 20 to 30 are becoming the main
force in luxury consumption, and the number of
people in this age group is 11 times higher than that
in Japan (Wang, 2006).
3.3 Positioning
3.3.1 Shaping a High-End Brand Image
In the highly competitive skin care market in China,
SK-II has increased its brand awareness and
expanded its market share by opening stores both
online and offline, thus entering the view of a wide
range of consumers. Gen Z consumers not only
share their knowledge and opinions and entertain
themselves but also shop on social networks. Media
channels influencing Gen Z consumers the most to
choose luxury goods include social networks, mobile
applications, the press, and celebrities (Juodzbalis,
2018). In its online promotion, taking TikTok as an
example, SK-II has released a large number of
close-up videos of the skin condition of celebrities