Watsons

Outranking famous health & beauty retailers, Watsons Türkiye has been glorified as the "No. 1 Brand in Cosmetics and Personal Care Retail category" by the Association of Shopping Mall Investors, based on a study conducted by customer research agency GfK.

Global retailer announces US$37 million investment into the network expansion over the next 5 years

AS Watson Group yesterday announced the rebranding of its 212-store retail network in Ukraine from DC to Watsons.

Watsons is one of the world's leading names in health and beauty retail currently with 2,200 stores in 11 markets, and from 10 March onwards it will be bringing its promise of quality products, great value and superior customer service to consumers in Ukraine.

Watsons Your Personal Store, Asia’ leading health & beauty retailer, celebrates its Watsons Card reaching 15 million membership in August. Earlier in Mainland China, the card has already passed the 10 million mark. The card, was first launched in Taiwan market in July 2008 and has earned an overwhelming popularity among customers. Watsons anticipates membership will continue to grow, bringing personalised shopping experience and excitement to more and more customers.

Watsons Card has been committed to providing consumers with "customised service" since its debut 18 months ago. Members can earn points from every purchase, and redeem points for cash in the next shopping trip; other exclusive benefits such as member’s discount, double points on birthday month, free sample, co-brand discount are also available, while an endless stream of membership events, eg. concerts, movie preview parties, star gatherings and members’ beauty workshops to entertain different interests of members. The latest shopping information according to the members’ interests are also timely provided for them to better plan and enjoy a more value-added shopping experience.

Besides achieving over 10 million card members in Mainland China, in other Watsons markets in Asia including Hong Kong, Taiwan, Thailand and Singapore, the membership has reached over 4.3 million customers. Watsons Malaysia will soon be launching the Watsons card in coming September.

Targets 500 stores by 2012

Watsons Taiwan today celebrates its another landmark store opened in Taipei's XiMen area, marking an important milestone of the Company's continuous innovation in upgrading shopping environment aspiring to exceed customers' expectation.

Watsons Taiwan plans to open 30 new stores and upgrade another 220 with estimated NT$500 million capital investments during 2010. Watsons Taiwan also proposes to invest additional NT$200 million in system up-gradation and technology to be able to serve the customer better. With clear focus on innovation and customer's shopping experience, Watsons Taiwan will maintain its leadership position in health and beauty retail in the market with over 430 stores next year.

Watsons, Thailand's no.1 health and beauty retailer, has been awarded Superbrand Status 2008 – 2009 by the Thailand Superbrands Council. The award is the recognition for Watsons' strong brand quality, affinity, and leadership in the industry. Mr. Toby Anderson, Managing Director of Watsons Thailand attended Superbrands Thailand Tribute Event to receive the Superbrands Trophy.

About Watsons
Watsons, the No.1 health and beauty retailer in Thailand was launched in Thailand in 1996 with the first store located at the Maneeya Center building. Watsons is the country's leading health & beauty store currently with over 150 stores offering products from consumer goods to health & beauty products. Watsons continually aims to offer top quality products combined with value for money as well as providing high-standard service to every customer. Watsons is a subsidiary of the AS Watson Group, the world's largest health and beauty retailer with over 8,400 stores in 34 markets.

Watsons Your Personal Store, No.1 health and beauty retailer in Thailand, is introducing Watsons Membership Card which is the biggest campaign of the year bringing enhanced, tailor made benefits to its customers. Watsons Membership Card gives exclusive access to the best health, wellness and beauty services with special price offers, reward point redemption as discounts as well as other special privileges through collaboration with L'Oréal, Unilever, P&G, Biersdorf, Johnson & Johnson, Elca, Blackmores, Proactiv and Phyathai Hospital. Watsons has invested over 50 million baht in this customer loyalty programme and expects to gain 300,000 members by the end of 2009. It has also prepared 360 degrees communications activities to promote the card among Thai consumers and accelerate member subscription.

Toby Anderson, Managing Director of Central Watson Co., Ltd. said, "In order to further enhance the personal shopping experience, Watsons is offering the Watsons Membership Card which will serve as the passport to the best health, wellness and beauty services with reward points, attractive price offers, and other special privileges for members in order to create good value for money. The programme is part of Your Personal Store concept that values customers as the priority. We try to offer the best and most trusted products with personalized professional service for our customers to make sure they feel great and have fun shopping at Watsons."