(Hong Kong, December 14, 2015) 175 years ago, a small dispensary opened in Hong Kong as one of the very first pharmacies in the city. Today, this Hong Kong-based dispensary, the forerunner of AS Watson Group (the “Group”), has grown into the world’s largest international health and beauty retailer, with over 12,000 stores operating in 24 markets in Asia and Europe. Established in 1841, the Group will celebrate its momentous 175th anniversary in 2016. The celebrations kicked off with a cocktail event today officiated by Mrs Carrie Lam, GBS, JP, Chief Secretary for Administration, Hong Kong SAR Government and Mr Wu Siu-hong, MH, Champion of the 51st QubicaAMF Bowling World Cup.
On 23 November, AS Watson Group (ASW) reached a significant milestone in its global retail business, with the worldwide 100 million loyalty members recruited in its health and beauty brand Superdrug in the UK.
A futuristic new Fortress flagship store has opened in Times Square, bringing Hong Kong consumers the latest technology from new and trusted brands in a high-tech hub where they can try, buy and browse. Our dedication to innovation is behind this pioneering new store format, which includes more than 2,300 fantastic products and provides Hong Kong’s digitally savvy shoppers with a destination for discovery.
CK Hutchison’s unaudited results for the six months ended 30 June 2015(in PDF)
AS Watson Group (the “Group”), a subsidiary of CK Hutchison Holdings Limited(“CK Hutchison”), reached a new milestone today with the opening of its flagship Watsons store on Yun Ping Road in Causeway Bay, marking the Group’s 12,000th retail store in the world.
In the latest 14th Efficient Consumer Response (ECR) Asia Pacific Conference, AS Watson Group was honored with the ECR Recognition Award in the Digital category, in recognition of its outstanding achievements in digital and eCommerce. Organised by the ECR Asia Pacific Council, GS1/ ECR Hong Kong and co-organised by The Consumer Goods Forum, this prestigious award aims to recognise the outstanding performance of corporations for their expertise in digital excellence.
Shone in the latest SRA (Singapore Retail Association) Service Excellence Awards (EXSA), Watsons Singapore was recognized as the No. 1 Health & Beauty Retailer in Singapore and won the 2nd place of the Best Retailer Award. Stepping into its 20th anniversary, the EXSA is a national award that recognizes entrepreneurs & individuals who have delivered outstanding service. It seeks to encourage service excellence, develop service models, inspire service staff to scale new heights and raise the prestige of a career in services.
AS Watson is again awarded as an Inclusive Organisation in the Talent-Wise Employment Charter 2014-2015, jointly organised by the Labour and Welfare Bureau of HKSAR and the Rehabilitation Advisory Committee. The Scheme aims to encourage employers of all trades and sectors to provide more employment opportunities for persons with disabilities, thereby unleashing their potential, enabling their self-reliance, fostering social integration and building a caring and supportive society for all.
AS Watson Group Hong Kong Student Sports Awards (HKSSA), one of the most recognised local youth sports awards, celebrated its 10th anniversary at Queen Elizabeth Stadium with the theme of “Yes I can!”, a bold statement which reflects the students' spirit of tireless pursuit of excellence and exemplary sportsmanship, and our hope to develop a generation of young people with a more active and positive lifestyle. With the participation of over 85% of all primary, secondary and special schools in Hong Kong, HKSSA presented awards to a record high of 941 student sports elites this year.
To celebrate HKSSA’s 10th anniversary, Guests-of-Honour including Ms. CHAN Ah-king, Deputy Director – Department of Publicity, Cultural and Sports Affairs in Liaison Office of The Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong S.A.R., Mr. Eddie NG Hak-kim, SBS, JP, Secretary for Education, Mrs. Yolanda TONG, Chief Leisure Manager (R&S) of Home Affairs Bureau and Dr. Trisha LEAHY, BBS, Chief Executive – Hong Kong Sports Institute were specially invited to present the awards to the student sports elites. In the midst of the ceremony, Ms. CHAN Ah-king and Mr. Eddie Ng Hak-kim credited and highly appraised Hong Kong Student Sports Awards’s continuous contributions and dedications on promoting local sports development and the positive impacts on nurturing and discovering young sports elites in Hong Kong. They also expressed their sincere wishes to HKSSA and hope the HKSSA will achieve higher and continue to blossom in the decades to come.
Ms. LEE Wai-sze, London 2012 Olympic Games cycling medalist, was also invited to share her story behind success and her efforts made in overcoming challenges along the way with the awardees. She also encouraged the youth to uphold their faith and pursue their dreams with perseverance.
AS Watson Group (ASW) corporate website, and the website of the Group’s flagship local philanthropy programme “Hong Kong Students Sports Awards” received the Silver Award in “Web Accessibility Recognition Scheme 2015”, in recognition of the efforts in enhancing the user experience with a more user-friendly and accessible internet environment.
