KOSÉ Travel Retail announces new President and CEO

Hiroto Kitaki (right), new President and CEO of KOSÉ Travel Retail with GTR Magazine's Hibah Noor and KOSÉ's Chen Xie
Japanese beauty company KOSÉ Travel Retail has appointed Hiroto Kitaki as its new President and CEO, effective January 1, 2025. Kitaki, who most recently served as Director of Marketing, will succeed Shu Shibue in leading the company’s travel retail operations.
The appointment comes as Shibue returns to the Japanese domestic market as Director, General Manager of Department Stores for KOSÉ Sales, a sector where he previously held leadership roles before taking the helm of KOSÉ Travel Retail in 2020.
During his tenure as President and CEO, Shibue successfully steered the company through the challenges of the pandemic, establishing KOSÉ Travel Retail as a dedicated subsidiary and implementing strategic initiatives that included a significant digital transformation of the business. Under his leadership, the company achieved notable success in key markets, particularly in Hainan, where brands like DECORTÉ and SEKKISEI gained prominent positioning.
Kitaki brings nearly 30 years of experience at KOSÉ to the role. His expertise in strategic thinking and strong relationships with business partners position him well to lead KTR’s continued expansion in the travel retail beauty industry.
The transition comes as KOSÉ continues to pursue its global expansion strategy, with travel retail playing a crucial role in the company’s international growth plans. As part of this evolution, Sakura Bo will take charge of the B2B business division, further strengthening the company’s organizational structure under the new leadership.