Luxury market adds British fragrances

Photo provided to China Daily

"We have data that 47 percent of Chinese women are using fragrances occasionally. This is a good sign, and the global trend is (using fragrances) occasionally to every day," Weber says.

"We also have noticed that Chinese consumers are very eager to have fine and luxury fragrance brands."

Estee Lauder has a series of "fine fragrances" in the Chinese market, including the Tom Ford fragrance.

The Jo Malone London store, located in Beijing's luxury shopping mall Shin Kong Place, provides alluring experiences.

For example, if a consumer wants to buy a perfume, staff members will assist with the selection, or blend two into one if necessary - such tailor-made service makes the brand stand out.

After the consumer makes a purchase, it will be packed into a cream box with black silk ribbon - a two-color combination that has become a signature of Jo Malone London, just like the blue box of Tiffany diamonds. Weber likes to say Jo Malone London is the Tiffany of the fragrance industry.

"These labels always have independent stands, because their audiences are much more niche, much more narrow, more into the fine luxury status of the brand. We see that in China, those couture brands (in fragrance) attract more and more consumers like this in cities like Beijing and Shanghai," he says.