Grand Opening of CKC18 at Cheung Kong Center | AS Watson Group

Mr. Victor Li, Chairman and Group Co-Managing Director of CK Hutchison Holdings Limited (6th from right), Mr. Dominic Lai, Group Managing Director of AS Watson Group (6th from left), Mr. Raymond Chow, Executive Director of CK Asset Holdings Limited (5th from left), Ms. Malina Ngai, Group Chief Operating Officer of AS Watson Group (5th from right) officiate at the opening ceremony of CKC18 together with other senior managements of the Group and store managers

Mr. Dominic Lai expresses at CKC18 opening ceremony that with extensive application of retail technologies including unmanned checkout counter, electronic payment, Scan&Go self-checkout service and StyleMe AR virtual make-up, CKC18 brings a fun and convenient shopping experience to customers

Officiating guests and store managers toast the grand opening of CKC18 with Sake

Mr. Victor Li (3rd from right) purchases 2 types of supplements from Adrien Gagnon – Vitamin C Timed Release & Natural Vitamin D 1000 I.U., Collagen by Watsons Skin Renew Day Lotion SPF 20, Collagen by Watsons Hydro-Balance Moist Gel Cream, Jumbo Cherry (USA) and Yamagata power bank

AS Watson Group, a subsidiary of CK Hutchison Holdings Limited, has opened a brand new concept store CKC18 at Cheung Kong Center. Mr Victor Li, Chairman and Group Co-Managing Director of CK Hutchison Holdings Limited and Mr Dominic Lai, Group Managing Director of AS Watson Group led the management team to officiate at the grand opening event today.

Bringing together the top retail formats operated by AS Watson Group (ASW), CKC18 is the latest shopping concept store creating a premier shopping and lifestyle hub in Central. Divided into four sections, including the international food emporium “food le parc”, health & beauty outlet “WatsonsLab”, innovative tech zone “TechLife by FORTRESS” and wine zone “Bar 0001 by Watson’s Wine”, CKC18 offers customers with innovative shopping experience.

One-stop Shopping Hub in Central
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Mr Lai said, “As one of the landmarks in Hong Kong, Cheung Kong Center is located at the heart of the business district in Central with top notch financial institutions. The grand opening of CKC18 indicates that Cheung Kong Center will soon become a hotspot for dining, shopping, entertaining and self-pampering.”

“AS Watson Group is the world’s largest international health and beauty retailer. With the speed of opening one store in every seven hours, ASW plans to open 1,300 new stores worldwide this year and continues to expand in Hong Kong.” Mr Lai added.

Spanning over 26,000 square feet, the concept store CKC18 demonstrates the world’s latest store design concept of a contemporary chic style. CKC18 consists of four themed sections:

food le parc – It means “Food Park” in English. Providing 8,500 choices of wholesome, high quality food and distinctive flavours from all around the world, of which 1,600 products are exclusive at CKC18
WatsonsLab – A specialised Watsons boutique offering a “Beauty bar” that carries numerous global leading beauty brands. By leveraging Augmented Reality-enabled (AR) technology, “Style Me” App is available in store to offer virtual make-up service, offering over 100 stunning mix-and-match party looks
TechLife by FORTRESS – It brings together the trendiest and most innovative lifestyle gadgets, eSports products and exclusive Xiaomi products. There is also a GameZ area that allows customers to try on the international renowned eSports gear, definitely a paradise for gaming enthusiasts
Watson’s Wine & the bar-in-shop Bar 0001 – Unlike a conventional barroom that only offers few choices of wine by glass, almost 100 different wines, sakes and spirits sourced from the globe are available at Bar 0001. In addition to the 700 different wines available at the store, it is the best place for people to chill and relax

Apart from the comprehensive range of products, CKC18 also brings fascinating shopping experience to customers by regularly inviting experts to share their ideas to enjoy life to the fullest, highlighting events including: gaming shows by eSports player, cooking demonstration by sushi master, sake tasting led by professional brewer and personalised make-up designed by make-up artist etc.

Innovative Retail Technology to Enhance Customer Experience
Mr Lai continued, “With the determination to accelerate digital transformation, ASW is glad to introduce the latest retail technologies to optimise shopping experience in a convenient and innovative approach. CKC18 applies technologies intensively. Besides the use of AlipayHK and other mobile payments, unmanned checkout counters are also available at WatsonsLab. Customers can simply checkout by placing their shopping baskets on checkout counters that automatically scan and tally up the total, while electronic payments are supported. In addition, customers can use the TasteToGo function in MoneyBack app to reserve their meals in advance at food le parc, minimising their waiting time during rush hours.”

With the aid of Scan & Go function in MoneyBack app, customers of food le parc can simply take the products, scan the barcodes with their phones and pay at self-checkout counters. Meanwhile at WatsonsLab, the “Style me” tablet equipped with AR technology instantly and virtually shows customers how they look like when applying different make-up products.