L Oreal's Focus On New Product R&D, Building The Beauty Infrastructure In India, Is Paying Off

L’Oreal has spent years paying attention to new product development at the same time that it strengthens the infrastructure of the beauty business in India. The “ground level strategy” strategy is paying off. The company is now the sales leader after helping to upgrade salons – turning some into nationwide chains – and establishing 50 academies, annually training 150,000 hairdressers. Meanwhile, L’Oreal’s product R&D effort has led, for example, to creation of the hugely successful Garnier Color Naturals line, inexpensive creme hair dyes for the Indian market that can be stored after opening. The company promises that the future will bring more innovation to the market, some "breakthrough announcements” of "totally new formulations” in the next two years, according to managing director Jean-Christophe Letellier, solidifying its leadership position.