Sephora Appoints Xia Ding as Managing Director of Greater China
, by Sourav Ganguly, 2 min reading time
, by Sourav Ganguly, 2 min reading time
Sephora recently made a significant leadership announcement, appointing Xia Ding as the Managing Director of Greater China. With an extensive background spanning prominent companies like JD.com, Hanes, and Nike, Ding brings a wealth of experience to her new role.
The beauty retailer unveiled this new addition to its team on April 15, highlighting the expansive scope of Ding's responsibilities, which cover mainland China and Hong Kong.
As part of LVMH, a powerhouse in the digital commerce realm and ranked No. 3 in Digital Commerce 360’s Europe Database, Sephora holds a prominent position in the health and beauty retail sector.
Alia Gogi, President of Sephora Asia, expressed confidence in Ding's capabilities, stating, “Xia Ding is a quintessential leader with a wealth of experience in running businesses, digital transformations, and strategic business development. I am confident that her skill set, knowledge of brick & mortar retail, expertise in digital and e-commerce, as well as her proven track record in building and sustaining profitable business will take Sephora Greater China into its next phase of growth and success.”
Ding will report directly to Gogi, overseeing Sephora's operations in Greater China, which include 350 stores and two e-commerce websites, along with associated digital platforms and apps. Globally, Sephora operates in 35 markets, boasting 3,000 points of sale.
In 2023, Sephora embarked on an experimental journey in China, introducing its innovative "Stores of the Future" concept in Shanghai and Wuhan. These stores featured unique services, free workshops, and cutting-edge technology aimed at enhancing the shopping experience and strengthening Sephora's omnichannel offerings.
Expressing her excitement about joining Sephora, Ding stated, “I am thrilled to join Sephora at a time where the prestige beauty market in China is at the cusp of its next phase of growth. Sephora’s allure lies in its powerful curation capabilities, strong culture anchored in purpose and DE&I, and an incredible ability to offer beauty enthusiasts an ever-evolving retail experience.”
Prior to her role at Sephora, Ding served as the Vice President and General Manager of E-commerce for Nike in the Asia Pacific and Latin America markets. Her diverse experience also includes leadership positions at JD.com, Nielsen, and HanesBrands Inc., where she spearheaded expansion efforts in China.
Ding's appointment comes amid Sephora's ongoing expansion efforts. While the company is increasing its presence across the Asia Pacific region, including Australia, Singapore, and India, it recently announced the closure of its operations in South Korea, commencing in May.
JD.com Inc., where Ding previously served as the President of JD Fashion, holds the top spot in Digital Commerce 360’s Asia Database and is ranked fourth in the Global Online Marketplaces Database. Meanwhile, Nike, where Ding played a pivotal role in e-commerce operations, is listed among the top e-retailers in Digital Commerce 360’s Top 1000, occupying the highest position in the Apparel/Accessories category.