Shiseido Group donates €1m to Red Cross

In response to the Covid-19 crisis in the UK, Shiseido Group UK & Ireland is offering complimentary skincare and body care products to frontline NHS workers.

In addition, the company is donating €1 million to be split between the French, Italian, Spanish, German and British Red Cross National Societies, intended to help those communities most affected.

Shiseido UK & Ireland comprises the bareMinerals, Nars, Laura Mercier, Shiseido, Drunk Elephant, Clé de Peau Beauté, Dolce&Gabbana Beauty, Narciso Rodriguez, Issey Miyake, Serge Lutens and Elie Saab brands. 

The announcements come as Shiseido Group confirms it has taken steps to protect jobs worldwide. In the UK and Ireland, Shiseido Group is guaranteeing the equivalent of employees' base salary for all Beauty Consultants whose activity is temporarily reduced or suspended by the company and will continue to monitor the situation in line with government guidance. Staff who can work from home are being supported to do so, with online learning resources provided. 

In partnership with the Retail Trust, Shiseido Group UK & Ireland employees can also access emotional support and advice in relation to financial and educational wellbeing along with access to a trained team of Mental Health First Aiders.

Franck Marilly, President and CEO of Shiseido EMEA and Global Fragrances explains:

“Our ‘People First' philosophy has to be implemented both internally and externally. The situation is different from market to market in EMEA region. Some employees' work schedules are suspended or reduced, and employees may feel a sense of uncertainty. In such difficult times, solidarity and care are what we need to demonstrate. We must stand together to support each other as a One Shiseido team. I am very proud that our Group and all EMEA employees fully support this initiative that will help people who are fighting tirelessly to save lives in extremely difficult conditions.” 

Commenting on their initiatives during the Covid-19 pandemic, Masahiko Uotani, President & Group CEO of Shiseido Co., Ltd, says:

“‘People First' is a core value of our DNA as a company of Japanese origin and is the very essence of Shiseido. It has been passed down since our founding in 1872, and to this day – for every employee – it is at the core of everything we do. In these unprecedented times, this philosophy is even more relevant, I see all of our employees as valuable members of the Shiseido Family. That's why I am extremely proud to support the EMEA (Europe, the Middle East and Africa) region on the People First initiative from inside out.”

Last week, Shiseido Group's French factories began production of hydroalcoholic gel to relieve shortages in hospitals, clinics and retirement homes across France.

In addition, as one of the first beauty companies to react to the Covid-19 crisis in Asia, Shiseido Group launched the ‘Relay of Love Project' on 6th February which has now contributed ¥14 million ($1.9 million) in cash donations and products to China to prevent the spread of the disease and care for those in need.