AS Watson Group - A member of CK Hutchison Holdings

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.”

Watsons Athletic Club Celebrates 35th Anniversary and Nurtures Local Youth Athletic Talent

Wed, 02 Oct 2024 16:25:56 +0000

The WAC Annual Challenge attracts more than 6,500 participants joining 27 events this year. Young athletes poured their hearts into the competition, striving for excellence and success in the Annual Challenge.

The Kids Athletics programme provides children with opportunities and learning experience to engage in track and field activities with other athletes on sportsground, and further enhances youth athletic development.

The beneficiaries' families from InspiringHK Sports Foundation are invited to participate in the Kids’ Athletics Challenge with Watsons Volunteer Team.

Ms. Rebecca Chiu Wing Yin, Community Relations Manager of AS Watson (First from the right), expressed that Watsons Athletic Club promises to provide more opportunities for kids and youth to engage in athletics, nurturing more outstanding Hong Kong track and field athletes.

The athletes are excited to receive the recognitions from Watsons Athletic Club.

In recent years, young athletes demonstrating exceptional performances both at a local and international level. Moreover, the Education Bureau is considering on placing more emphasis on sports for grading students for secondary school placement. This reflects that society pays more and more attention to sports development in Hong Kong. Established by AS Watson Group in 1989, Watsons Athletic Club has been a steadfast advocate for local youth engagement in track and field activities, acting as a trailblazer in corporate support for sports development. To celebrate the 35th anniversary of Watsons Athletic Club, its signature event - the WAC Annual Challenge commenced at Wan Chai Sports Ground on September 28-29 and with upcoming events scheduled on October 5-6. The event has drawn over 6,500 participants joining with the youngest participant aged at 5 years old, recorded a full complement of entries for the 5th year.

From Local To Olympic Stage
Ms. Rebecca Chiu Wing Yin, Community Relations Manager of AS Watson, expressed, "As a former athlete and a mother, I am delighted to see an increasing number of corporates investing in providing sports participation and training opportunities for the next generation. Watsons Athletic Club has been established for 35 years and it is instrumental in encouraging youth to engage in local track and field development through diverse activities, which have nurtured thousands of athletes. Many of them have flourished on both local and international platforms, including Felix Diu Chun-hei, Hong Kong's sprint representative at the Paris Olympics. Witnessing his international representation for Hong Kong deeply moves me, and I firmly believe that Watsons Athletic Club will cultivate more professional athletes with ongoing dedication."

Diverse Competitions Promote Sports Inclusivity
The WAC Annual Challenge is recognised by the Hong Kong China Association of Athletics Affiliates as an accredited event and one of the premier local youth athletics events for athletes to showcase their talents. This year's event has featured respective categories for male and female participants, dividing into six age groups. The Annual Challenge involves a total of 13 track events, 6 field events, and 2 relay events, tailored to the standards of each division. With the commitment of nurturing kids' sports development, the Annual Challenge has been organising the “Kids’ Athletics Challenge”. The principle of competition rules is based on “IAAF Kids’ Athletics Programme”. This year, Watsons Hong Kong extended invitations to beneficiaries’ families from InspiringHK Sports Foundation jointly participate in the Kids’ Athletics Challenge with Watsons Volunteer Team.

To celebrate its 35th anniversary, the Annual Challenge will introduce a new relay competition, "4x100 Mixed Gender Relay Challenge" this Sunday, in which some groups and organisations are invited to join, including Hong Chi Association, Hong Kong Baptist University College of International Education - Sport and Recreation Leadership Department, and Hong Kong Elite Athletes Association. This aims to spark positivity, encouraging the community to get involved in social inclusion and sports development.

Cultivating Athletic Stars
Beyond fostering competition and exchange, Watsons Athletic Club places significant emphasis on talent discovery and daily training. Over the past 35 years, the club has enlisted numerous renowned coaches to offer members professional training across track and field disciplines. Watsons Athletic Club has nurtured a wealth of talents over the years, currently comprising over 1,400 members. Nearly 100 athletes and coaches are also the members of Team Hong Kong, contributing to nearly 40% of the entire team, including Felix Diu Chun-hei, who represented Hong Kong in sprinting at the Paris Olympics; Jessica Ching Siu Nga, racewalking representative at the Tokyo Olympics; Ng Ka Fung, the record holder for the 100m in Hong Kong; as well as rising stars Chan Yat Lok, Chloe Pak Hoi-man. Watsons Athletic Club also has year-end performance encouragement bonus and record breaker bonus to encourage and reward athletes and coaches with outstanding performances over the year.

Looking ahead, the club will continue to commit to encouraging kids and youth to participate in sports, cultivating more elite athletes, contributing to the advancement of athletics in Hong Kong.

AS Watson Celebrates World Pharmacists Day with Over 3,000 Pharmacists Driving Health and Wellness

Tue, 24 Sep 2024 10:19:38 +0000

Pharmacies at Watsons

Pharmacies at Superdurg

Superdrug Pharmacy

Launch of International Pharmacist Network

World Pharmacists Day is on 25 September, and it’s an annual opportunity to call out the great work pharmacists do every day.

“On this special day, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to more than 3,000 pharmacists and over 9,000 health professionals who work with AS Watson around the world, making our retail network a preferred destination for trusted health advice, health services and products,” said Dr. Malina Ngai, Group CEO of AS Watson.

"Our pharmacists play a vital role in the shopping experience, offering the human interaction that instills confidence and reassurance in customers seeking health solutions," Malina continued.

Based on the company’s global insights, customers who shop health and wellness products spend three times more than non-health shoppers. Notably, there’s a remarkable year-on-year growth of over 20% in the young customer segment seeking health products. While the vitamins and dietary supplements (VDS) sector alone has experienced over 10% sales growth, the increasing demand for medicated skincare solutions delivered over 20% growth.

Malina explained how the company addresses the increasing customer needs in health, “We are witnessing sustainable growth in our health and wellness retail sales over multiple years. In response to this global demand, we expanded our health product range by nearly 20%. Besides we have introduced new digital enabled services in many markets.”

Tech-empowered AS Watson International Pharmacist Network
Malina is excited to announce, “To mark the significance of our pharmacists and our commitment to empowering them to serve our customers to lead healthier lives, we are launching a global network app exclusively for the AS Watson International Pharmacists Network. The app serves as an exchange platform for our health professionals from around the world to acquire new knowledge, exchange best practices and to support each other across our markets.”

Personalised O+O Health Services
AS Watson’s dedication extends beyond products, offering comprehensive O+O health services, including consultations and health checks, facilitated by our global network of pharmacists.

In an era where technology plays a crucial role in health decision-making, AS Watson is enhancing its offerings with offline and online health consultations, including the innovative e-Doctor service. For example, the “Watsons eDr” app enables customers to connect with healthcare professionals for online consultations, with same-day medication delivery. Additionally, Superdrug’s “Video GP” service provides rapid access to General Practitioners via video calls.

Across regions - including Hong Kong, Mainland China, Taiwan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Indonesia - customers can access one-on-one health consultations with pharmacists, receiving personalised advice and recommendations that have garnered positive feedback.

AS Watson Group Retail Academy Nurtures Over 5,200 Retail Talents In the Past 5 Years

Tue, 10 Sep 2024 20:19:38 +0000

AS Watson Group Retail Academy Qualifications Framework (QF) Recognised Qualifications Presentation Ceremony was held in the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) today. AS Watson Group Retail Academy is proud to nurture more than 5,200 retail talents in the past five years, providing them with an opportunity to apply their learning to work and develop their own retail career paths.

AS Watson Group has always been people-oriented, devoting substantial resources to staff training by fully subsidising potential talents for the "Professional Diploma in Retail Management" (including the QF level 4 & 5 programme), and providing paid leave for employees to attend classes during working hours. The Qualifications Presentation Ceremony was hosted by AS Watson Group today, where a total of 70 employees were recognised, of whom 52 were recognised for their accomplishments at the QF Level 4 (equivalent to an Associate Degree level) and 18 achieved QF level 5 (equivalent to a Bachelor's Degree), embarking on their journey towards the goal of becoming an outstanding retail practitioner.

In 2013, AS Watson Group became the first company in the retail sector to offer its staff professional and comprehensive courses recognised by the QF. Over the last 10 years, AS Watson Group has provided comprehensive professional training for staff across PARKnSHOP, Watsons, FORTRESS and Watson’s Wine. In 2016, AS Watson Group launched the industry’s first "Professional Diploma in Retail Management", designed with "The Specification of Competency Standards". In 2018, AS Watson Group established Hong Kong’s first retail academy. Since then, the academy has witnessed more than 5,200 employees who completed the recognised programmes, accumulating over 1.6 million hours of learning, setting the new standard for retail.

Since then, all store managers in more than 500 retail stores have obtained qualifications of QF level 4, and 85 employees have achieved QF level 5, proving that employees of different backgrounds and academic qualifications can gain professional recognition in their retail careers.

Dr. Malina Ngai, Group CEO of AS Watson, remarked at the presentation ceremony, "Founded in Hong Kong for over 180 years, AS Watson’s goal is not only emphasising company development, but also serving as a vital platform for every colleague to develop, so that they can fully realise their potential and grow alongside with the Group. As such, we were pioneers in introducing qualifications framework courses and establishing the first retail academy. To nurture future leaders of retail in Hong Kong, we were the first in the industry to launch the ‘Professional Diploma in Retail Management’, which is equivalent to a bachelor's degree level. We believe that through ongoing learning, each of our colleagues can realise their potential, embrace opportunities and overcome challenges together."

Dr. Keith Chau, Senior Continuing Education Consultant at PolyU SPEED, said, “This QF Recognised Qualifications Presentation Ceremony showcases the seamless collaboration between the Hong Kong Polytechnic University and AS Watson Group, and witnesses our efforts in talent development in these 8 years. The achievements of the graduates fully demonstrate the excellent results from this collaboration and lay the foundation for future careers in retail. With the rapid advancement of technology, continuous learning will be key to success in the future. We look forward to seeing graduates to push the boundaries and join hands to create a better tomorrow.”
AS Watson Group will continue to invest in talent nurturing and is committed to providing 200,000 job opportunities and 5 million hours of training for young people globally by 2030, offering various learning and experiential opportunities to employees and nurturing them to become future leaders in the retail industry.

CK Hutchison’s Unaudited Results for the Six Months Ended 30 June 2024 (in PDF)

Thu, 15 Aug 2024 16:35:53 +0000

CK Hutchison’s unaudited results for the six months ended 30 June 2024 (in PDF)

View PDF

AS Watson Accelerates Supply Chain Sustainability Efforts to Fight Climate Change

Fri, 26 Jul 2024 11:02:33 +0000

Watsons and Kruidvat start using electric vehicles for deliveries

AS Watson reduces plastic waste by using recyclable honeycomb paper and paper tape for online business packaging

AS Watson, the world's largest international health and beauty retailer, has accelerated its sustainability efforts in its global supply chain by transitioning its delivery fleet to electric vehicles and launching initiatives in waste reduction to fight climate change.

According to Dr. Malina Ngai, Group CEO of AS Watson, "As a responsible global retailer, sustainability is at the heart of our business. We've been investing and innovating to reduce our environmental impact and contribute to a more sustainable future. Our latest initiative focuses on making the delivery fleet of our supply chain more environmentally friendly. We operate 12 retail brands in our global portfolio, and 60% of them have started using electric vehicles for some of the warehouse-to-store and online order deliveries. While the adoption of electric vehicles is slow in the industry, I believe that we should take on the challenge to launch this initiative in as many markets as possible.”

Malina added, “Electric vehicles have limited driving range per charge, and insufficient charging infrastructure, which makes long-haul deliveries challenging. Additionally, the current technology solutions to reduce charging times and enhance overall performance are not yet widely available. These constraints result in difficulties for some of our operating markets to broadly deploy electric vehicles. We remain committed to overcoming these obstacles and transitioning our delivery fleet to more sustainable electric options wherever possible.”

A recent survey showed global direct carbon dioxide emissions from heavy and medium-duty trucks increased by 2.4% to 1.8 billion metric tons (GtCO₂) in 2022, and they were responsible for around 25% of global transportation CO₂ emissions. The use of battery electric vehicles can help alleviate the issues as they emit at least 63% less CO₂ emissions than a comparable diesel vehicle.

AS Watson has accelerated its efforts in adopting electric vehicles in its global delivery fleet. The progress of Watsons China is significant, with electric vehicles now accounting for over 80% of all warehouse-to-store deliveries on average in the cities of Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Tianjin, Chongqing and Xiamen.

For online order deliveries, Superdrug, Savers and ICI PARIS XL have started using electric vans and e-Cargo bikes in Central London and 13 emission-free zones in the Netherlands respectively. Additionally, Watsons China, Singapore and Taiwan have introduced electric vans and motorbikes for their country-wide online order deliveries.

Meanwhile, Superdrug, Savers, Kruidvat and Trekpleister have also started to shift towards using greener fuels such as liquefied natural gas (LNG) and compressed natural gas (CNG), which generate less carbon emissions compared to traditional diesel fuel.

Driving Positive Change Through Waste Reduction
In addition to the electrification of its delivery fleet, AS Watson has made significant progress in waste reduction in its supply chain globally, successfully diverting over 95% of warehouse waste from landfills. Furthermore, AS Watson has also reduced the use of virgin plastics in its online business packaging by 50% year-on-year, demonstrating its commitment to more sustainable packaging solutions.

Malina added, “We will continue our journey towards supply chain sustainability. We expect to see increasing adoption of electric vehicles and the introduction of more waste reduction initiatives to help create a more sustainable world. At AS Watson, sustainability is not a slogan, but a culture that every one of our 130,000 colleagues globally embrace every day. Only by working together, we can create a truly significant impact on the planet.”

Watsons Malaysia Celebrates its 30th Anniversary by Launching its First-Ever Branded AirAsia Airplane

Fri, 05 Jul 2024 17:33:37 +0000

To mark its 30th anniversary, Watsons Malaysia announces the launch of its first-ever Watsons-branded airplane in collaboration with AirAsia

Dr. Malina Ngai, Group CEO of AS Watson Group (1st from left), Dominic Lai, Chairman of AS Watson Group (2nd from left), Caryn Loh, Managing Director of Watsons Malaysia and Watsons International’s Regional Exclusives Director (2nd from right) and Paul Carroll, Group Chief Commercial Officer of AirAsia (1st from right) take a group photo with the Watsons-branded airplane

The first-ever Watsons-branded airplane is launched

To mark its 30th anniversary, Watsons Malaysia announced the launch of its first-ever Watsons-branded airplane in collaboration with AirAsia today. Watsons is the first retailer in Malaysia to bring health and beauty to the skies. The Watsons-branded airplane will start serving passengers from mid-July onwards at Kuala Lumpur International Airport Terminal 2, and it will feature Watsons' branding, in-flight shopping opportunities, and various in-flight engagement activities.

Dr. Malina Ngai, Group CEO of AS Watson Group, celebrated the milestone with Watsons leadership team and business partners at the event. "Today, I'm excited to officiate the launch of our partnership with AirAsia to have our first-ever Watsons-branded airplane as a special initiative of the 30th anniversary. What led us to this partnership is our shared belief that 'Sky is Not the Limit' – our passion to serve our customers has no limits, and anything is possible for us.”

The in-flight shopping highlights key product categories including travel and health essentials, beauty products for on-the-go use, exclusive brands, and Watsons Brand products. Passengers can conveniently view and scan QR codes of these offerings before take-off. With over 700 stores in Malaysia, they can shop and collect their purchases at any of Watsons stores in Malaysia upon arrival.

Watsons members can also enjoy region-wide privileges Asia One Pass, which is available in 10 markets. This enables Watsons members to get local member offers during their travels, and even earn points, not just in their home market but also in other Watsons markets across Asia.

Innovating O+O Customer Experience
Watsons has been putting customers at the heart of its business and is committed to offering our customers the highest quality range of products at great value, as well as providing them with pleasant shopping experience.

Malina added, “Watsons has been at the forefront of revolutionising the in-store environment for customers, and over these two years, we’re innovating customer experiences in Asia, including Malaysia, and investing USD250 million in 6,000 new and upgraded stores. This means 75% of the store portfolio in Asia will provide a more innovative and enhanced experience for our customers.”

As one of the fastest growing markets in Asia, Watsons Malaysia is now operating over 700 stores, offering over 12,000 products offline and online to over 7.5 million loyalty members.

Caryn Loh, Managing Director of Watsons Malaysia and Watsons International’s Regional Exclusives Director, said, "As customers' expectations for a seamless and pleasant shopping experience have been rising, over two years, Watsons Malaysia is opening and upgrading 300 O+O stores and enhance its shopping experience, making its stores the preferred destinations for interactive experiences as the No.1 Personal Care and Beauty retail brand in Asia."

To celebrate its 30th anniversary, Watsons Malaysia will roll out a series of initiatives to share joy with its customers and make shopping engaging. Loyalty members who spend a minimum of RM100 in a single transaction, either offline or online, will be eligible to win exciting prizes, including AirAsia flight tickets, AirAsia MOVE hotel stays, AirAsia MOVE points, and Watsons' e-vouchers.

Watsons Malaysia will continue to take shopping to a whole new level of fun and engagement, and it is dedicated to creating innovative and immersive shopping experiences that help its customers Look Good, Do Good, and Feel Great.

Watsons Innovates In-store Experiences for Customers in Asia
USD250 Million Investment in 6,000 New and Upgraded Stores in Two Years

Thu, 06 Jun 2024 12:37:06 +0000

Watsons Pink shopping experience

Watsons China - Shanghai Pudong Century Link Plaza store

Watsons Taiwan - Tun Lin store

Watsons Malaysia - The Exchange TRX

Watsons Hong Kong - Yun Pin Store

Watsons Thailand - The Emsphere Store

Watsons, the flagship health and beauty brand of AS Watson Group, has been putting customers at the heart of its business. As customers' expectations for a seamless and enjoyable shopping experience continue to rise, in 2023, Watsons invested in opening and upgrading over 2,200 O+O (Offline plus Online) stores across 15 markets in Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. The company expects to have over 3,800 new and refitted O+O stores by the end of 2024.

According to Dr. Malina Ngai, Group CEO of AS Watson, "As the leading health and beauty retailer in Asia, we're committed to offering our customers the highest quality range of products at great value, as well as providing them with a very pleasant shopping experience. We constantly hear from our customers about where we can improve, and we work closely with key brands to improve category-specific experience. Watsons has been at the forefront of revolutionising the in-store environment for customers, and over these two years, we are investing USD250 million in new store opening and upgrading existing stores across our 15 operating markets."

“We are opening over 1,200 new stores in 2023-24 and investing in refitting approximately 4,800 stores in the same period. This means 75% of the store portfolio in Asia will provide a more innovative and upgraded experience for our customers.”

Redefining the Beauty Experience
Watsons stores have been designed to appeal to modern beauty lovers seeking a more exciting shopping experience. Recently, Watsons China has introduced Watsons Pink, where the entire interior design revolves around a captivating pink color theme, creating an ambiance that is particularly appealing to young customers. Additionally, spa services are offered in the stores, allowing customers to pamper themselves while shopping.

Meanwhile, a designated Beauty Playground zone has been introduced in the new concept stores in Watsons China. The Beauty Playground zone offers customers a fashionable and trendy experience-led makeup space, with access to on-hand makeup artists who can offer advice and expertise, as well as the opportunity to try out different looks and play around with colour cosmetics.

Watsons Taiwan has transformed its store into an aesthetically pleasing space that is perfect for social media. The stylish makeup zone features a lipstick-shaped makeup table and a circular pink light box on the ceiling. Additionally, Watsons offers My Colour Studio, where customers can receive seasonal colour analysis which helps them understand their skin tone, eye, and hair colour and find the perfect color palette for their clothing, makeup, and hair.

Watsons Malaysia takes shopping to a whole new level of fun and engagement. In addition to a variety of experiential zones such as My Beauty, Hair Studio, and Watsons To Go, they have introduced a K-pop Land dedicated to showcasing K-beauty products. The vibrant, colourful, and Instagrammable design of this zone attracts young customers, who can enjoy memorable moments with their friends while shopping together. Additionally, a Kid's Wonderland has been introduced, providing a perfect opportunity for customers to shop with their children and enjoy quality family time together.

Unleashing Professional Health Experience
To meet the needs of the growing number of health-conscious customers, Watsons has also introduced a revitalising shopping experience for those seeking health products and personalised health consultations. Watsons Hong Kong has redesigned its flagship store, introducing the HealthQ health decoding station. This station features pharmacists, Chinese medicine practitioners, and nutritionists who provide personalised health consultations, vaccinations, and health assessments to help customers stay healthy.

At Watsons Thailand, an enhanced health experience has been unveiled, featuring a modern and stylish store design along with a diverse selection of health products. To help customers in their personal journey to wellness, a private health consultation room has been introduced where pharmacists can provide personalised and professional advice tailored to individual needs.

"Watsons understands that simply providing the best products is no longer sufficient to meet the needs of our customers," Malina further emphasised. "We're committed to continuous expansion and innovation, offering the best O+O customer experience. Watsons will always strive to inspire our 100 million loyal members to Look Good, Do Good, and Feel Great with us."