Unlocking 'Big Dreams' at the China International Import Expo: dōTERRA's Journey"
dōTERRA, a niche essential oil brand, was born in 2008 when seven passionate professionals united to create a natural way of life centered around the exceptional allure of essential oils, embarking on a mission to elevate lives worldwide with the gift of the earth.
In the spring of 2008, seven career professionals with a shared passion for essential oils came together with a unique dream: to create a natural way of life centered around essential oils. Their goal was to bring the exceptional allure of essential oils to more people and enhance their quality of life. With a mission to share high-quality essential oils globally, dōTERRA, which derives its name from Latin, meaning "gift of the earth," was born. Today, we share the remarkable story of dōTERRA's entry into the Chinese market.
Rooted in Shanghai, dōTERRA's Commitment to the Chinese Market
As early as 2014, dōTERRA's global CEO directed the company's focus towards the Chinese market and actively pursued investment plans. Ultimately, the company established its presence in Shanghai's Jing'an district, laying a solid foundation for venturing into the Chinese market.
Upon entering China, dōTERRA adapted vigorously to the dynamic market environment by diversifying its consumer touchpoints. Leveraging the rapid growth of internet sales channels, the brand developed various consumption methods, including offline experiences, online shopping, and doorstep delivery, all aimed at providing customers with outstanding products and shopping experiences.
China International Import Expo (CIIE): Opening Doors to a Vast Market
In 2018, participating in the China International Import Expo proved to be a turning point for dōTERRA. Although a small and medium-sized enterprise, it was a game-changer.
Invited by the China Foreign Investment Association, dōTERRA showcased its products in a modest 9-square-meter booth at the first CIIE. However, this small four-leaf clover booth exuded remarkable charm. Throughout the expo, the fragrance drew crowds, and business orders flowed steadily. The first CIIE resulted in signed purchase intentions totaling 3.8 billion RMB, not only elevating dōTERRA's brand recognition but also marking a significant breakthrough in its business development within the Chinese market.
The CIIE has become one of the most critical stages for dōTERRA. From a 9-square-meter booth in the first CIIE to a 200-square-meter booth in the fourth, dōTERRA's expansion is evident not only in booth size but also in their unwavering confidence in the Chinese market. With each CIIE, the signed purchase intentions have continued to climb, from 3.8 billion RMB to 7 billion RMB and up to 10 billion RMB. Post CIIE participation, dōTERRA swiftly transformed the Chinese market into its second-largest global market, with business scale now comparable to its domestic U.S. market.
Continued Investment in China: Aiming to Be the Global Leader by 2030
After several years of development, dōTERRA has established 11 offline essential oil lifestyle centers in 11 Chinese cities, including Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Guangzhou, Qingdao, Shenzhen, Hangzhou, Dalian, Nanjing, Tianjin, and Wenzhou. Online, dōTERRA has steadily built a sizable community of essential oil enthusiasts. As of May 2022, dōTERRA had over 1.3 million customers in China and had sold over 59 million bottles of essential oil products.
Today, dōTERRA stands with ambitious goals: by 2030, the Chinese market is set to surpass its U.S. headquarters, becoming the most significant global market.
