AmorePacific expects Korea pop fervour to boost China sales

Shanghai

AMOREPACIFIC Group expects sales in China to jump 30 per cent this year as the South Korean cosmetics maker opens more outlets to capture a wealthier Chinese middle class keen to splurge to look more like their Korean idols.

"China is geographically close and it has a very big population," Suh Kyung Bae, billionaire chairman of the Seoul, Korea-based holding company of AmorePacific Corp, said in an interview. The company recognised the importance of Asia's rising middle class 15 years ago, and this is still one of its main drivers, Mr Suh said. AmorePacific Corp, South Korea's largest cosmetics maker, joins companies such as Hotel Shilla Co and casino operator Paradise Co to benefit from the rising pop…