Marketing Strategies of Herbal Cosmetic Products: Thai and Imported Products

Abstract

This research investigated the factors that influence the marketing strategies of herbal cosmetic products in Thailand by comparison between Thai and imported product where the imported products are manufactured from Australia and U.S.A. This study is both quantitative and qualitative research. The facial herbal cosmetics products in this study were moisturizer, whitening lotion, cream, power, toner, make up cleansing mask, cleansing oil, soap bar, and anti-aging lotions. Finding from the study found that the marketing strategy of Thai herbal cosmetic products have the 4Ps;Product strategy by improving the quality of products, research and development for launching the new products to the market, creating beauty packaging and new product launch attracts the market’s attention. Price strategy using cash discount to increase consumer’s purchase motive. Place strategy using department stores as the main distribution channels, distribution channels are direct sales with catalogs, counter sales in department store and beauty showrooms. Promotion strategy using integrated marketing communication for maintaining brand image, television advertisement, radio advertisement, cabal advertisement, booth exhibition, beauty school, website, face to face marketing and male beauty instructor to attract the women customers. Marketing strategy of imported products; Products strategies are concerned with the odor, color, physical appearance of products and the penetration characteristic of products. The strategies promote the imported products by introducing the product e.g. the product is a blend of herbs, the most effective skin care for healthy, revitalized skin and natural extract that contains active ingredients with high technology to manufacture the cosmetic product that performs a specific action to penetrate deep into the skin. The smooth odor and color of the imported products are the important purchasing decision factor. Physical appearance of products; non greasy, non oily helps absorbs quickly into skin and help smooth the skin surface texture and packaging design, color, size and shape, play a role in purchasing decisions. Packaging has to possess the strength to make eye-catching packaging that helps make the most window of opportunity in pristine conditions, brand, logo/slogan as a way to facilitate their purchasing decision; the image of the brand has all the criteria value, quality reliability trust, intangible and delivers benefits to the consumers. Price strategy is heavily differentiated due to the branding then imported herbal cosmetic products offering lower priced luxury products. The lower prices could also boost sales e.g. smaller sizes of some products, such as 50 ml and 30 ml bottles of products, which is normally sold in 100 ml bottles then smaller bottles are selling better than regular size ones, Place strategy; purchasing convenience from the Internet to virtual presence e.g. Website, direct mail, social media enhancing the brand’s image. The site also uses Face book page by constantly updating content photos, videos, information about events, YouTube, twitter as platforms to keep customers up to date on new episodes and development. Promotion strategies using advertisement, television advertisement