AS Watson Group has today announced an employee support package of £40M to help staff battle through COVID-19, covering its UK retail businesses Superdrug, Savers and The Perfume Shop.
Malina Ngai, Group COO and CEO Asia & Europe of AS Watson Group explained, “With over 18,000 employees serving in 1,550 stores across the three retail brands, the support package is developed based on the principle that no member of staff should be worse off financially because of the crisis.”
“In this challenging time, our top priority is to look after our people and our customers. Our brands are built by our people. Without their hard work and dedication, we would not be able to serve our customers so well. Financially, it’s not an easy decision but it is the right decision under such circumstances.”
Peter Macnab, CEO of AS Watson Health & Beauty UK, says: “The support package aims to give our colleagues reassurance and help to give them an immediate relief in financial pressure. They work very hard to keep our stores open and customers’ online purchases delivered. We are incredibly proud of our teams who are dedicated to making sure our customers can continue to access important health and personal care essentials, as well as prescriptions, in such an unprecedented time.”
He adds: “At the moment all of our 1,300 Superdrug and Savers stores, including our 200 pharmacies, remain open and we are seeing a significant increase in online traffic to Superdrug.com and Savers.co.uk for both click & collect and home delivery, as well as the prescription and health advisory services operated by our Online Doctor.”
Gill Smith, Managing Director of The Perfume Shop, explains that the group-wide arrangement will apply from 16th March for anyone who is unable to work due to sickness or self-isolation to receive full pay.
“We have also taken into account the Government’s latest decision to close all schools. The support package will cover parents who are unable to work remotely due to school closures from 23rd March. We are determined to battle through the COVID-19 together as family in AS Watson, and with the UK community.”
