Aekyung Industrial Enters Rossmann Poland... Targeting European Market with K-Haircare Brands

Launch of Nine CicaLabo and Alpist Products,
Securing Distribution in 2,000 Stores

Targeting Scalp 'Skinification' and Vegan Trends,
Establishing a Foothold for European Expansion

Aekyung Industrial has entered the European market by launching its K-haircare brands, CicaLabo and Alpist, at Rossmann Poland, the largest drugstore chain in Poland.

Aekyung Industrial announced on the 15th that, in March, it introduced a total of nine products—five from CicaLabo and four from Alpist—through all Rossmann Poland stores and its official online mall. With this, the company now supplies products to approximately 2,000 stores, establishing a distribution base within the European haircare market.

Aekyung Industrial identified Poland as a strategic market with high growth potential, which led to this expansion. As of 2024, the Polish haircare market is valued at approximately 4.8 billion zloty (about 1.6 trillion won), with an average annual growth rate of around 6%. Notably, the market is characterized by a distribution structure centered on drugstores, and there is a growing demand for functional scalp care and vegan concept products.

Locally, the 'skinification' trend—treating the scalp like facial skin—is spreading, driving increased interest in functional products such as scalp-soothing and moisturizing formulas. At the same time, preference for clean and vegan beauty products made with natural ingredients is also on the rise.

In response, CicaLabo has been introduced as a scalp care line focused on soothing sensitive scalps and providing moisture, based on cica ingredients and reflecting the skinification trend. Alpist, on the other hand, is a vegan concept product line based on natural-derived ingredients, with an emphasis on maintaining scalp balance.

Through this entry, Aekyung Industrial plans to actively introduce its K-haircare portfolio to the European market and expand its consumer touchpoints locally. This marks the first time both brands have entered major European drugstore channels, and the company expects this will lay the foundation for future market expansion.

Going forward, based on sales performance and consumer response in the Polish market, Aekyung Industrial plans to expand its product range to include hair treatments, essences, and body care items. The company is also considering expanding into neighboring countries where the Rossmann Group operates—such as Germany, the Czech Republic, and Hungary—as well as into major European distribution channels.

An Aekyung Industrial representative stated, "Poland is a market where demand for both functional haircare and vegan products is growing. We will continue to strengthen the competitiveness of K-haircare in the global market."

Meanwhile, Rossmann Poland is the largest local drugstore, currently operating about 2,000 stores since opening its first location in 1993. It is a personal care distribution channel with an omnichannel network that integrates offline stores, an online mall, and a mobile app.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.