AS Watson Group - A member of CK Hutchison Holdings

AS Watson Strengthens Its Position as a Leading International Retailer

Thu, 10 Apr 2025 13:29:26 +0000

AS Watson, the world’s largest international health and beauty retailer, proudly announces its exceptional performance in the recently released Global Powers of Retailing 2025 report by Deloitte. Rising to 52nd place among the world’s top 250 retailers - up three positions from the previous report – AS Watson solidifies its standing as a trailblaser in the global retail landscape.

As the only international health & beauty retailer headquartered in Hong Kong to make the prestigious list, AS Watson underscores its unique position as a global powerhouse. According to the report, among the top 100 retailers worldwide, 3 companies are based in Hong Kong SAR, China and AS Watson is honored to be part of this elite group. Furthermore, AS Watson joins an exclusive cohort of 18 retailers with operations spanning more than 25 markets, reflecting its robust global footprint and commitment to serving diverse markets.

“We are honored to represent Hong Kong on the global retail stage, much like how Hong Kong’s athletes shine in international competitions,” said Dr. Malina Ngai, Group CEO of AS Watson. “In today’s dynamic economic environment, where consumer behaviors are constantly evolving and technological advancements are reshaping industries, retailers must demonstrate the same resilience, adaptability, and innovative spirit that define world-class athletes to remain at the top of their game.”

The recognition in the Global Powers of Retailing 2025 report highlights AS Watson’s relentless focus on operational excellence, customer-centric strategies, and sustainable growth. With operations in 30 markets and a rapidly growing network of O+O stores, AS Watson remains at the forefront of the retail industry. AS Watson recently hosted the Global Supplier Conference, bringing together CEOs and senior leaders from leading health and beauty manufacturing companies worldwide. This extraordinary event in Hong Kong marked the kickoff of AS Watson's 185th anniversary, celebrating a legacy of innovation and achievement.

As AS Watson continues to stay in the lead globally, its commitment to innovation, sustainability, and community impact remains unwavering. The company’s diverse and dynamic portfolio of brands ensures that it stays ahead of evolving consumer trends and strengthens its position in the international marketplace.

CK Hutchison’s Audited Results for the Year Ended 31 December 2024 (in PDF)

Thu, 20 Mar 2025 16:55:31 +0000

CK Hutchison’s Audited Results for the Year Ended 31 December 2024 (in PDF)

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AS Watson Group Appoints Clarice Au as the CEO of Retail Hong Kong, AS Watson

Tue, 04 Feb 2025 09:10:19 +0000

AS Watson Group announced the appointment of Clarice Au as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Retail Hong Kong, AS Watson. In her new role, she will be responsible for overseeing the management of our four diverse retail businesses in Hong Kong, namely Watsons, PARKnSHOP, Fortress and Watson’s Wine.

"With over 20 years of extensive management experience at AS Watson, Clarice has consistently demonstrated remarkable leadership. She has been instrumental in driving digital transformation and advancing the growth of both the Fortress retail chain and the MoneyBack multi-brand loyalty programme. I am excited to have her expertise guiding our retail businesses in Hong Kong into the future," said Dr. Malina Ngai, Group CEO of AS Watson.

Clarice expressed her excitement for this new role, “I am deeply honoured to take on the role of CEO of Retail Hong Kong at AS Watson. Since joining the company in 1998, I’ve had the privilege of working across diverse business areas, from airport retail to leading the Fortress team and, more recently, overseeing the MoneyBack loyalty programme. These experiences have shaped my passion for delivering exceptional customer experiences and fostering innovation.”

“Looking ahead, my priority will be to build on our strong business foundation while harnessing the talents of our combined teams, as well as close collaboration with our business partners to elevate the customer experience across our network of over 500 O+O stores. As Hong Kong's retail landscape evolves rapidly, it is essential for us to remain agile and continuously embrace transformation to seize new opportunities and stay ahead."

The appointment is effective from 1 March 2025.

Watsons Continues its Expansion in GCC with the Opening of its New Flagship Store in Bahrain

Mon, 30 Dec 2024 09:45:58 +0000

AS Watson Group and Al-Futtaim Group jointly announce the opening of Watsons' new flagship store at City Centre Bahrain Mall, signifying the Watsons’ entry into a new market alongside the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) and Qatar. This also marks the third store opening in three months in Bahrain, strengthening its presence across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

Strategic Market, Huge Potential
Bahrain is one of the six countries of the GCC, presenting a dynamic and potential market with a surging demand for health and beauty products, driven by a predominantly young population – over two-thirds of Bahrainis are under the age of 35 – who are pursuing high-quality products. Increased awareness of beauty trends, influenced by social media and lifestyle shifts, has led customers to greater spending on personal grooming.

As a trusted beauty expert, Watsons is well-positioned to bring world-class brands and products that meet their needs, ensuring a seamless O+O (Offline plus Online) customer experience while celebrating and enhancing Arabic beauty. With a projected market growth of USD38.8 million at a compound annual growth rate of 5% from 2024 to 2029, Bahrain presents an exciting opportunity for Watsons as part of its expansion strategy.

Dr. Malina Ngai, Group CEO of AS Watson Group, expressed her excitement about this milestone, “The expansion of Watsons health and beauty retail experience into Bahrain is an important milestone in our commitment in the GCC region. Just as important, this new flagship store further strengthens our partnership with Al-Futtaim Group to serve customers in this vibrant region where high-quality beauty and health products are increasingly in demand.”

Mr. Simon Naga, Vice President of Al-Futtaim Group, emphasised the strategic importance of this expansion, “The opening of our flagship Watsons store in Bahrain is a testament to our commitment to enhancing customer experiences across the region. As we continue to expand our footprint in the GCC market, we focus on delivering innovative retail solutions that meet the evolving needs of consumers.”

Watsons is “Where Beauty Comes to Shine”
The 200-square-meter flagship store leverages Bahrain's strategic location in the Gulf, showcasing over 200 local and international brands across meticulously designed zones. Key areas include the innovative Derma Zone, which features internationally-renowned products alongside personalised skincare recommendations, and the enticing Skincare Zone, where customers can explore popular K-beauty and J-beauty brands. Additionally, the store includes a chic Makeup Zone and Sustainable Zone, each thoughtfully tailored to meet a diverse range of customer needs.

As Watsons continues to expand, it remains committed to delivering exceptional customer experiences and high-quality products that empower customers to Look Good, Do Good, and Feel Great.

Watsons Celebrates the Launch of its 600th Store in the Greater Bay Area and Watsons China’s 35th Anniversary

Thu, 12 Dec 2024 09:00:52 +0000

As Asia's No. 1 health and beauty brand, Watsons announces the launch of its 600th store in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), coinciding with Watsons China’s 35th anniversary. The store, located in Longgang Wanda Plaza, Shenzhen, is a health concept store and features a unique design with vibrant runways that reflect Watsons' commitment to health. The store features multiple specialised areas, offering a comprehensive range of health products to customers.

A Legacy of 183 Years : Our Purpose Endures
With a rich history spanning 183 years, Watsons began its journey as the “Canton Dispensary”, in Shamian, Guangzhou in 1828, dedicated to passionately serving local customers. It relocated to Hong Kong in 1841 and established the “Hong Kong Dispensary”, becoming the first pharmacy in Hong Kong to offer Western medicines. Throughout its history, Watsons has always prioritised community health and well-being, including offering free medicines to those in need.

Watsons has continuously expanded its business and developed the Mainland China market in 1989, staying true to its core values of servicing the people in need. Despite evolving through two centuries, Watsons remains committed to putting customers first and caring for the community. Today, it stands as a trusted brand known for its commitment to excellent customer service.

Dr. Malina Ngai, Group CEO of AS Watson, said, “Over the past 180 years, Watsons has grown from Guangdong to a global presence with over 8,000 stores across Asia. We have navigated numerous challenges and celebrated many achievements along the way. The opening of our 600th store in GBA not only marks our significant growth but also reflects our deep connection with our customers. Our loyalty membership programme connects all cities within the GBA, offering seamless cross-border shopping experiences and membership benefits. This milestone highlights our confidence in future opportunities in GBA, and we remain committed to innovating and adapting to meet our customers' evolving needs.”

Heritage and Innovation: A Commitment to Excellence
Watsons has upheld its heritage of care and continues to support its community and fulfill its promise to customers by offering diverse, high-quality products while becoming an essential part of their lives.

To meet customers’ evolving needs, Watsons has embraced innovation by launching a seamless O+O shopping experience and introducing over 4,000 new products each year in GBA. Popular categories among customers in Hong Kong and Macau include healthcare, skincare, and daily necessities, while customers from Mainland China favour derma skincare, hair care, and colour cosmetics. When shopping cross-border, Hong Kong customers often look for skincare, derma skincare and oral care products, whereas Mainland China customers frequently shop for healthcare products.

Looking ahead, business expansion in GBA and Mainland China remains Watsons' core strategy. Backed by robust growth opportunities, Watsons is committed to further investing in GBA to enhance customer service and deliver an exceptional O+O shopping experience.

AS Watson Boosts Global Expansion by Unveiling its 16,800th Store Worldwide

Mon, 02 Dec 2024 19:25:18 +0000

AS Watson announced the grand opening of its 16,800th store worldwide, further consolidating its position as the world’s largest international health and beauty retailer, with a portfolio of 12 brands operating across 29 markets. This store was opened in Rotterdam, marking a remarkable milestone in AS Watson’s ongoing expansion and its commitment to delivering a seamless and exceptional O+O (Offline plus Online) customer experience.

Dr. Malina Ngai, Group CEO of AS Watson , expressed her excitement at the store opening ceremony, “The opening of our 16,800th store represents more than our growth as a company - it symbolises our commitment to serving the communities worldwide. With every store we open, we create jobs, foster customer relationships, and build lasting trust.”

“16,800 is a number with special meaning in Chinese culture. The number 6 symbolises ‘everything goes smoothly’ while 8 represents ‘good fortune’. We embrace the special meaning of this milestone and look forward to a future of lasting success and prosperity, not only for our business growth but also in extending these best wishes for a brighter future for the world during this festive Christmas season,” Malina added.

Commitment to Continuous Growth
Ed van de Weerd, CEO of AS Watson Benelux, remarked, "We’re honoured that AS Watson’s 16,800th store worldwide opens in vibrant Rotterdam, demonstrating AS Watson’s steadfast commitment to growth in the Benelux region and globally. As the No. 1 health and beauty retailer in the Netherlands, Kruidvat serves its customers with nearly 1,000 O+O stores and over 24,000 passionate colleagues, and has become an integral part of many Dutch people’s lives.”

The brand-new store will serve over 11,000 customers every week. As one of the largest Kruidvat stores, it spans over 770 square meters and is designed to enhance O+O shopping experience with clear in-store navigation. The store offers an extensive assortment of over 36,000 products, making it the largest selection among all Kruidvat stores.

The newly upgraded Kruidvat app delivers personalised offers and health advice to customers, enabling them to effortlessly manage their shopping lists and track their points balance, ensuring they always get the best deals. Additionally, the app's streamlined checkout process enhances convenience with click-and-collect options.

Looking ahead, AS Watson remains committed to innovation and excellence in customer experience, and will continue its growth journey with the purpose of putting a smile on the customers’ faces today and tomorrow.

Watson’s Wine Leads the Way in Price Reduction after the Government’s Liquor Tax Cuts

Wed, 27 Nov 2024 15:20:05 +0000

Watson's Wine, the leading specialised wine & spirits retailer in Hong Kong, announces its support for the government’s initiative to reduce duty rates on high-end liquor products, in alignment with the economic growth agenda published in the 2024 Policy Address.

Premium Spirits at New Competitive Prices
Effective immediately, Watson's Wine will roll out price cuts on a large range of carefully curated premium spirits, making world-class spirits more accessible to Hong Kong connoisseurs. Customers can enjoy savings on over 100 premium spirits priced above HK$1,000, regardless of whether the importers have already adjusted their prices (see Appendix). These price cuts apply to popular spirit brands like Cognac Tesseron, Macallan and Martell, with some reductions exceeding 20% and selected item reaching as high as nearly 60%. Through Watson’s Wine's network of trusted suppliers from reputable sources, customers can enjoy exceptional premium spirits at reduced prices.

Exciting Opportunities from New Spirit Store Format
In response to the favourable policy change on liquor, Watson's Wine will launch a dedicated premium spirits concept store format in 2025. This new concept will showcase an expansive array of fine spirits from rare whisky to artisanal Cognac, offering customers an unparalleled shopping venture with emerging categories like Chinese spirits.

Watson’s Wine has the ambition to grow the market share in spirits category by 25% in the next 3 years, and also leverage the vibrant space to create immersive customer experience for spirit-lovers like expert-led tastings, out-of-the-box culinary pairings, and sommelier masterclasses that will blend Cognac and whisky from the West with Chinese spirits from the East, where diverse traditions and craftsmanship converge.

Jeremy Stockman, Managing Director of Watson's Wine is excited about the change in liquor duty, "Watson’s Wine welcomes the government’s latest policy on spirits and firmly believes that this duty reduction will greatly benefit our customers and the industry at large. Through price reductions and investments in new spirits retail concept, together with the industry Watson’s Wine will help establish Hong Kong as a hub for high-end liquor."

The spirit flagship store will look to attract liquor connoisseurs and prospective large-order buyers looking to taste test from a wide selection of distinct and high-quality liquor from around the world.

Marionnaud Group Announces Strategic Reorganisation

Fri, 15 Nov 2024 15:50:07 +0000

Marionnaud Group today announced an organisational transformation, aimed at strengthening its position as a leading luxury beauty retailer in Europe. The reorganisation marks a strategic shift from a market-based management structure to an integrated, unified team model across all markets.

Under the leadership of Kulvinder Birring, who was appointed as CEO of Marionnaud Group in April, the company is implementing key changes to drive customer-centric operations and accelerate growth. The new structure will enable seamless integration across all markets, with functional expert teams providing leadership throughout all regions.

As part of this transformation, Emilio Leon has been appointed as Sales Operations Director of Marionnaud Group, transitioned from his previous role as Managing Director of Marionnaud Switzerland and Austria. In this new position, he will oversee and harmonise sales operations across all markets. Tatiana Anton has been appointed Shared Services Director of Marionnaud Group, relinquishing her previous role as General Manager of Marionnaud Central Europe. Tatiana will be responsible for managing shared services across all markets, focusing on implementing integrated, data-driven business solutions.

The Group extends its gratitude to Gabriele Betti, Deputy CEO of Marionnaud Group and Arianna Di Prospero, General Manager of Marionnaud Italy as they transition to new chapters in their careers. Their invaluable contributions have helped shape Marionnaud's success, and the company wishes them the very best in their future endeavours.

Watsons Fuels Growth by Opening Asia’s 8,000th Store

Thu, 07 Nov 2024 17:41:06 +0000

Dominic Lai, Chairman of AS Watson Group (third from left), Dr. Malina Ngai, Group CEO of AS Watson Group (third from right), Robert Sun, Regional Managing Director, H&B Asia & International Commercial Director of AS Watson Group (first from right) and Danilo Chiong, Managing Director of Watsons Philippines (first from left), celebrate the opening of Watsons’ 8,000th store in Asia

Dominic Lai, Chairman of AS Watson Group (second from right), Dr. Malina Ngai, Group CEO of AS Watson Group (second from left), Robert Sun, Regional Managing Director, H&B Asia & International Commercial Director of AS Watson Group (first from left) and Danilo Chiong, Managing Director of Watsons Philippines (first from right), officiate the opening ceremony of Watsons’ 8000th in Asia

Watsons, Asia’s No.1 health and beauty brand, supercharges the growth by opening its remarkable 8,000th store in Asia today. Located at SM Mall of Asia in Manila, the new store highlights Watsons' unwavering commitment to enhancing O+O (Offline plus Online) customer experience.

Dr. Malina Ngai, Group CEO of AS Watson Group, officiated the opening ceremony, “Today, I’m excited to celebrate the opening of Watsons’ 8,000th store in Asia, marking a significant milestone in our global expansion. The Philippines has been selected for this momentous occasion because it’s one of the fastest-rising economies in Asia and a strategic market for AS Watson. This vibrant and highly potential market has a young demographic that increasingly focuses on health and beauty, aligning perfectly with Watsons’ expertise.”

“8,000 represents a vast network that makes our products and services more accessible to customers everywhere. Combined with our O+O model, we are committed to serving the community anywhere, anytime. Each store creates local jobs, customer loyalty and strengthens brand trust. Special thanks to our dedicated team around Asia for making this possible.” Malina added.

Watsons began its journey in 1841. Over the years, it has transformed from one small dispensary in Hong Kong to Asia’s leading health and beauty retailer, now operating 8,000 stores in Asia. While Watsons has evolved with the times, its purpose remains unchanged: to put a smile on our customers’ faces, today and tomorrow.

Elevated O+O Shopping Experience
The new store is meticulously designed to enhance the shopping experience with a spacious layout and a stylish, contemporary design that meets customers’ diverse needs. Designated zones include a Premium Beauty zone featuring latest trending exclusive brands, advanced skin analyser, and dermatologist-recommended products. Meanwhile, Sustainable Choices zone offers a refill station for selected Naturals by Watsons products, along with a wide array of Clean Beauty products to empower customers in living sustainably.

The store has also introduced more self-checkout counters and Click & Collect services, allowing customers to effortlessly order online and swiftly pick up their purchases in-store within 30 minutes. To create a seamless O+O customer experience, Watsons Philippines has introduced an innovative online Health Supplement Advisor that guides customers to find the right product and offers personalised health consultations with pharmacists via live chat.

Danilo Chiong, Managing Director of Watsons Philippines, expressed excitement about the store opening, “Watsons operates over 1,100 stores in the Philippines, and we’re thrilled that the opening of Watsons’ 8,000th store in Asia is taking place here. This achievement showcases our commitment to providing the best health and beauty products and services, both offline and online. We look forward to continuing to deliver exceptional O+O shopping experience to help our customers Look Good, Do Good and Feel Great.”

The opening of Watsons’ 8,000th store in Asia marks not just a significant milestone for the brand but also a promise of innovation. Watsons will continue to expand its footprint and remain dedicated to meeting the evolving needs of its customers, ensuring that each visit is a delightful experience.

AS Watson Launches “Wanderer Watchers” to Fully Support Elderly with Dementia

Sun, 27 Oct 2024 14:24:53 +0000

AS Watson organises its large-scale volunteer event “Project LOL Elderly Visit” today to share love to community. Dominic Lai, Chairman of AS Watson Group (sixth from right), Dr. Malina Ngai, Group CEO of AS Watson Group (seventh from left), Karrie Chan, Deputy Director of Hong Kong Christian Service (fifth from right), Emily Lee, Deputy Chief Executive of Hong Kong Young Women's Christian Association (sixth from left) and Florence Ho, General Manager, Jockey Club Centre for Positive Aging (fourth from right), together with AS Watson Group's management team and its business partners, announce the launch of its community support programme “Wanderer Watchers”, which aims to create a Dementia Care Network that is instrumental in detecting and locating missing dementia patients.

“AS Watson Project LOL Elderly Visit has partnered with the Hong Kong Young Women’s Christian Association and Hong Kong Christian Service, mobilising over 1,100 volunteers from its business units and 47 partners to visit 2,000 elderly in nine districts across Hong Kong.

Currently, over 100,000 people in Hong Kong suffer from dementia, with one in ten individuals aged 70 or above affected by the condition. The number of patients is expected to continue rising.

AS Watson today announced the launch of its community support programme “Wanderer Watchers”, which aims to create a Dementia Care Network that is instrumental in detecting and locating missing dementia patients.

Dr. Malina Ngai, Group CEO of AS Watson said, “Rooted in Hong Kong for over 180 years, AS Watson has always been passionate about serving our community with a caring heart, especially for the senior citizens who have contributed tremendously to society. Our ‘Wanderer Watchers’ is a support network woven with love. With the collective strength of our 500 stores across Hong Kong, we hope to support every elderly individual and dementia patient in our community, bringing them love and care.”

Extensive Store Network to Support Dementia Patients
Currently, over 100,000 people in Hong Kong suffer from dementia, with one in ten individuals aged 70 or above affected by the condition. The number of patients is expected to continue rising.

Dedicated to supporting the elderly and people with dementia, AS Watson’s relentless commitment has brought “Wanderer Watchers” to fruition. As the first retailer in Hong Kong to partner with the Jockey Club Centre for Positive Ageing, “Dementia Angel App” has been installed on over 1,200 mobile devices at more than 500 Watsons, PARKnSHOP, Fortress, and Watson’s Wine stores located in 18 districts across Hong Kong. The programme has effectively expanded the network for detecting dementia patients who get lost in the city.

Kwun Tong, Kwai Tsing, Eastern District, Sha Tin and Wong Tai Sin are the five key districts with the highest numbers of missing elderly cases. In light of this, this year’s “AS Watson Project LOL Elderly Visit has partnered with the Hong Kong Young Women’s Christian Association and Hong Kong Christian Service, mobilising over 1,100 volunteers from its business units and 47 partners to visit 2,000 elderly in nine districts across Hong Kong. To put the volunteers’ love and care into action, special visits were arranged to three of these five key districts, where simple memory tests were conducted to screen the elderly for early signs of dementia.

Malina added, “Since the introduction of ‘Project LOL Elderly Visit’ in 2016, AS Watson has been dedicated to support every elderly individual in the community. This year, with the launch of ‘Wanderer Watchers’, we hope to leverage our extensive store network to support even more people in need within the community. To enhance the impact of ‘Wanderer Watchers’, we will provide dementia-related training to over 10,000 of our colleagues, equipping them with the knowledge to better understand dementia patients and to offer appropriate assistance to them. Additionally, we will devote our efforts to promote public awareness through a variety of educational activities, offering support to both the patients and their caregivers.”