Superdrug breaks into top five of the UK's favourite retailers
Nuance-Watson (HK) pioneered its eco-friendly “Save & Preserve” programme in 2007 and further intensified its environmental efforts by launching the Green Poster Design Competition in 2008.
This year, the company took another giant leap forward and organized the second Green Poster Competition for not only tertiary design students in Hong Kong but also global travelers at Hong Kong International Airport (“HKIA”) to foster the “green” power and ensure the green message is heard around the world!
The competition had two tiers: School competition was opened to local tertiary institutions and design schools. In addition, there was Open competition for travelers at HKIA. Ultimately, it attracted over 100 high quality entries coming from Hong Kong tertiary schools and many travelers from Hong Kong, Guangdong, Shanghai, Indonesia and even Europe1.
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.
AS Watson Group (ASW) today celebrated the opening of its 500th Watsons store in Mainland China, marking an important milestone of the Company's plan to reach 1,000 stores in the Mainland and to exceed 10,000 stores worldwide within the coming two years.
ASW is the world's largest international health and beauty retailer, currently with a portfolio of 8,600 stores across 34 markets in Asia and Europe. Its luxury perfumeries and cosmetics retail division is also the leading operator in Europe.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the symbolic store located at Mall 818 in Shanghai, Group Managing Director Mr Dominic Lai said, "Despite the global economic recession, we managed to maintain our growth momentum while having tight control on costs. In the first six months of this year, we achieved a like-for-like positive sales growth of 4% in a market context which remains challenging, especially in some parts of Europe. I am pleased to see that in many places, our growth rate exceeds that of the market."
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.
On 6 August, Kruidvat will be opening its fully refurbished store at Gildenburg 13 in Gouda. The new store offers customers all the usual benefits in a modern and extremely accessible shopping environment. The well organised and logical presentation means that customers can easily navigate around the store. The store belongs to the new generation of Kruidvat stores, with which the drug-store chain wishes to further distinguish itself within the Health & Beauty market. The refurbished store concept will be expanded to all Kruidvat stores.
Store manager Pleuny de Groot is very proud of her new store. "The customer is the central point in the refurbished Kruidvat store format. The stores are very well organised and accessible and, of course, offer the familiar benefits and surprising offers that customers have come to expect from us. Just as before, they can come to Kruidvat for a surprising and affordable range but this is now in a fully refurbished and modernised store environment. Perception, appearance and accessibility are central to this. We would likely to warmly invite everyone to come and have a look at our new store!"
Surprising, value-for-money and accessible
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."
