Key Stats
- Founded: September 17, 1872, in Ginza, Tokyo, Japan
- Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan
- CEO: Kentaro Fujiwara (since January 2025)
- Employees: 27,908 full-time staff (as of December 2024)
- Market Cap: Approximately $6.5 billion USD (2025)
Shiseido Company, Limited is a Japanese multinational cosmetics company headquartered in Tokyo. The company was established in 1872 by Arinobu Fukuhara as Japan’s first private Western-style pharmacy in the Ginza district.
Today, Shiseido ranks as the largest cosmetic firm in Japan and the fifth largest globally. The company operates across skincare, makeup, body care, hair care, and fragrance categories. Products are sold in approximately 120 countries through department stores, specialty retailers, pharmacies, and e-commerce platforms.
The name Shiseido derives from a Chinese expression meaning to praise the virtues of the earth which nurtures new life. The company celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2022 and maintains its position among the world’s most innovative beauty companies.
Shiseido History
Shiseido Co-founders
Former Chief Pharmacist of the Imperial Japanese Navy who founded Shiseido in 1872. He established Japan’s first Western-style pharmacy with the mission to create high-quality medicine and cosmetics tailored to Japanese consumers.
Son of Arinobu Fukuhara who became the company’s first president in 1915. He studied art and photography in Paris, designed the iconic Camellia logo, and transformed Shiseido into a beauty and lifestyle brand with a distinct visual identity.
Shiseido Competitors
Shiseido competes in the global prestige beauty market against multinational corporations from France, the United States, and Asia. Competition spans skincare, makeup, fragrance, and hair care categories. The company holds approximately 7.6% market share in the global premium skincare segment, ranking third after Estée Lauder Companies and L’Oréal Group.
| Company | Headquarters | Primary Focus |
|---|---|---|
| L’Oréal Group | Paris, France | Mass and prestige beauty |
| Estée Lauder Companies | New York, USA | Prestige skincare and makeup |
| Procter & Gamble | Cincinnati, USA | Consumer goods and beauty |
| Unilever | London, UK | Personal care products |
| LVMH | Paris, France | Luxury fragrance and cosmetics |
| Coty Inc. | New York, USA | Fragrance and color cosmetics |
| Kao Corporation | Tokyo, Japan | Personal care and cosmetics |
| Amorepacific | Seoul, South Korea | K-beauty skincare |
| Beiersdorf | Hamburg, Germany | Skincare products |
| KOSÉ Corporation | Tokyo, Japan | Cosmetics and skincare |
Shiseido Marketcap
Shiseido maintains a market capitalization of approximately $6.5 billion USD as of 2025. The company reached peak valuation of $33 billion in November 2019 following strategic acquisitions and strong performance in the China market. Recent years have seen market cap decline due to economic challenges in China and travel retail segments.
Shiseido Revenue
Shiseido reported revenue of ¥990.6 billion ($6.3 billion USD) for fiscal year 2024. Japan and China each contribute approximately 25% of total sales, followed by Western markets and travel retail operations. The company focuses on prestige skincare brands including Shiseido, Clé de Peau Beauté, and NARS as growth drivers.
Shiseido Acquisitions
Shiseido has pursued strategic acquisitions to strengthen its global presence and brand portfolio. The company’s acquisition strategy focuses on prestige skincare and makeup brands with strong consumer loyalty and growth potential in key markets. Early acquisitions included NARS Cosmetics in 2000, establishing Shiseido in the professional makeup category.
The company acquired Laura Mercier and ReVive in 2016 to expand its prestige offerings in the Americas. However, Shiseido later divested these brands to Advent International in 2021 to focus on core skincare operations. This strategic realignment reflected the company’s commitment to concentrating resources on high-growth categories.
Shiseido’s acquisition of Drunk Elephant in 2019 for $845 million marked its entry into the clean beauty segment. Founded by Tiffany Masterson in 2012, Drunk Elephant had become one of the fastest-growing prestige skincare brands. The deal strengthened Shiseido’s position among younger consumers seeking ingredient-conscious products similar to those offered by Unilever through its Tatcha acquisition.
Technology acquisitions have also played a role in Shiseido’s strategy. The company acquired MATCHCo in 2017 for skin-matching technology, followed by Giaran Inc. and Olivo Laboratories in 2018. In December 2023, Shiseido acquired Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare to expand its dermatologist-led offerings alongside brands from competitors like Procter & Gamble.
The company sold its personal care business to CVC Capital Partners in 2021, transferring brands to Fine Today Shiseido. This divestiture allowed Shiseido to concentrate on the premium cosmetics segment where it maintains competitive advantages against Lancôme and other luxury brands.
FAQs
When was Shiseido founded?
Shiseido was founded on September 17, 1872, by Arinobu Fukuhara in Ginza, Tokyo, Japan, as the country’s first private Western-style pharmacy.
Who is the CEO of Shiseido?
Kentaro Fujiwara serves as President and CEO of Shiseido since January 2025, succeeding Masahiko Uotani who led the company from 2014.
What brands does Shiseido own?
Shiseido owns prestige brands including SHISEIDO, Clé de Peau Beauté, NARS, Drunk Elephant, IPSA, ANESSA, ELIXIR, and Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare among others.
Where is Shiseido headquartered?
Shiseido Company, Limited is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, operating from offices in the Minato-ku district with global regional headquarters across Asia, Americas, and Europe.
Is Shiseido publicly traded?
Shiseido trades on the Tokyo Stock Exchange under ticker symbol 4911 since 1949. The company is a constituent of the Nikkei 225 and TOPIX indices.