A press-on nail shop in Yiwu. [Photo/zgyww.cn]

Yiwu's beauty industry is experiencing a boom, with its press-on nails becoming a global sensation. In just two months, Yiwu exported over 900 million yuan ($124.3 million) in beauty products, cosmetics and toiletries, a staggering 79.8 percent increase from the previous year, making up nearly half of Zhejiang's total exports in this sector.

The Yiwu International Trade Market has become a hotspot for these products, with some stores reporting monthly sales in the millions.

Fengshang Nails, a local business, regularly introduces batches of new designs to keep up with demand, boasting tens of thousands of options across various nail types. On average, it ships about 400,000 boxes of press-on nails weekly to a single European or American client.

Last month, the company's participation in an Italian exhibition led to $50,000 in sales. 

"Europe, the United States, South America, the Middle East and Southeast Asia have always been the hottest markets for our company's press-on nails sales," stated Chen Lingling, another business at the Yiwu International Trade Market. She also noted that more foreign investors are coming from non-traditional hotspots.

To meet the growing demand, companies have upgraded their machinery, doubling their output. Innovations include eco-friendly press-on nails made from renewable materials, and gel nail stickers that last up to a month, attracting significant interest from overseas clients.

The domestic market is also expanding, with a preference for the more intricate handcrafted nails. Online platforms like Douyin and Taobao are driving this growth, offering consumers a wide range of trendy styles.