WatsON - Stay tuned with AS Watson

Outstanding HR Achievements

Fri, 16 Jan 2026 04:21:51 +0000

AS Watson has achieved remarkable success at the 2025 CTgoodjobs Best HR Awards — marking our 4^th consecutive win as Employer of the Year. The Group is also proud to receive the Best Perfect Office Facilities Award, Best Employee Engagement Strategy Award, and Graduate Recruitment Team of the Year. These achievements reflect our ongoing commitment to creating an engaging, supportive, and high‑performing workplace for all colleagues.

AS Watson Celebrates 185 Years of Growth, Resilience and Purpose

Thu, 15 Jan 2026 04:32:38 +0000

From a single store in Hong Kong to a global leader with 17,000 stores across 31 markets, AS Watson looks ahead by staying true to what matters most.

AS Watson, the world’s largest international health and beauty retailer, announces the kick-off of its 185^th anniversary today, celebrating nearly two centuries of growth, resilience and reinvention.

Founded in Hong Kong in 1841 as a single store, AS Watson has grown into a global retail powerhouse operating over 17,000 stores across 31 markets in Asia and Europe, serving millions of customers every day through trusted brands in health, beauty, personal care and wellness.

Sustained Momentum in a Fast-Changing World

AS Watson continues to demonstrate strong growth momentum driven by customer relevance, operational excellence and a clear long-term strategy regardless of an increasingly complex global environment.

In 2025, the Group delivered 8% growth in health category, with double-digit growth in Europe; and 6% growth in beauty category, with double-digit growth in Asia. With continuous investment strengthening its O+O (Offline plus Online) ecosystem, O+O sales achieved double-digit growth, reflecting strong customer engagement across channels. Its loyalty member base grew by ten million in the year, from 170 million to over 180 million.

Building for the Future

Looking ahead, AS Watson plans to open about 1,000 new stores this year, underpinned by a total investment of HK$3.8 billion (approximately US$490 million) across new store openings, store upgrades, technology and supply chain, as it continues to strengthen its global presence and O+O capabilities.

In an environment where consumer expectations, technologies and markets evolve rapidly, AS Watson views change not as a barrier, but as an opportunity — to innovate faster, operate smarter and serve customers better.

Purpose-Driven Growth

Alongside commercial success, AS Watson remains deeply committed to doing good for people, community, and the planet. Sustainability continues to be embedded across its operations — from reducing environmental impact and promoting responsible sourcing, to supporting community wellbeing and health education in the markets it serves.

As part of its commitment to its communities, AS Watson reached a major milestone in its global youth employment pledge - recruiting over 134,000 young people to date and delivering 3.8 million hours of training. This achievement marks more than halfway toward its goal of creating 200,000 opportunities by 2030. In addition, the year also marks a major achievement in its “Give a Smile” campaign with Operation Smile, surpassing its goal of 10,000 free surgeries for children with cleft conditions ahead of schedule, reaffirming its commitment to brighter futures for our next generation.

Throughout its 185^th anniversary year, AS Watson will host celebrations and initiatives across all 31 markets, recognising colleagues, partners and customers who have shaped the company’s journey and continue to drive its success.

Dr Malina Ngai, Group CEO of AS Watson, reflects on the company’s incredible journey while looking ahead to the future: “When we think about the next century, the truth is this: we have never been able to see 100 years ahead — not then, and not now.”

“Today, change moves faster than ever. Markets shift overnight. Technologies redefine industries. Expectations evolve constantly. So, when we talk about building the next century, it’s not about predicting the future. It’s about preparing for it.”

“And we prepare the same way we always have — by staying grounded in what does not change: our commitment to customers, our people, our partners, and to doing business responsibly.”

A Legacy of Resilience, A Future of Opportunity

After 185 years, AS Watson’s story remains one of adaptability, ambition and purpose. From one store to a global network of 17,000 locations, the company enters its next chapter focused on sustainable growth, innovation and continued leadership in health and beauty retail.

Unforgettable Shopping Journey

Wed, 14 Jan 2026 05:52:48 +0000

Watsons Vietnam celebrated the grand opening of its newest store at GigaMall, Ho Chi Minh City, marking another milestone in its expansion journey. Designed as a next-level beauty destination, the store offers a modern and stylish environment that elevates the shopping experience for customers.

The new store enhances product findability through clear product zones such as health, beauty, and personal care. This allows customers to easily and quickly find the specific products they are looking for. As a gesture of appreciation, customers enjoyed exceptional offers during the opening period. Moving forward, Watsons remains committed to caring for its customers and delivering a seamless O+O shopping experience.

Nurture Future Talent

Tue, 13 Jan 2026 03:28:32 +0000

Watsons China collaborated with POLUS International College to host the Campus Marketing Competition. Students conducted on-site investigations at Watsons stores and created marketing proposals on campus, gaining real-world experience while learning to understand and cater to Gen Z’s consumption habits. This initiative reflects Watsons China’s commitment to fostering strong partnerships with educational institutions and nurturing the next generation of leaders.

Rossmann Achieves Record Growth and Reinforces Commitment to Social Responsibility

Mon, 12 Jan 2026 04:25:53 +0000

Rossmann reports significant growth in 2025, with sales rising by 8.5% to €16.6 billion, marking a record performance and continuing its positive trajectory from previous years.

Beyond business success, Rossmann strengthens its social responsibility by supporting educational institutions and rewarding employees.

Looking ahead, Rossmann plans to open 342 new stores across Europe, including 63 in Germany, and to roll out a new store concept introduced last year, driving innovation and customer experience.

Beauty Meets Creativity

Fri, 09 Jan 2026 05:10:19 +0000

Drogas Latvia hosted the Ladies’ School event, blending beauty inspiration with creative expression. In collaboration with L’Oréal Paris, guests enjoyed expert make-up tips and discovered the latest trends for a radiant look. A cosy candle‑painting workshop added a creative touch, allowing guests to craft personalised decorations to take home. To make the experience even more special, each guest received thoughtful gifts from L’Oréal, ensuring their glow lasted throughout the season.

Driving Sustainability Change

Thu, 08 Jan 2026 04:04:37 +0000

Watsons Hong Kong celebrates an outstanding achievement in the 2025 Recycling Programme, having collected and recycled more than 700,000 containers. Stacked together, these containers would reach the height of 618 Cheung Kong Center towers.

This milestone reflects a strong commitment to driving innovative sustainability solutions and working hand in hand with the community to Look Good, Do Good, Feel Great.

Turning 185 Years of Care into Colour

Wed, 07 Jan 2026 08:02:16 +0000

AS Watson is proud to join hands with the NGO Paint Beautiful Hong Kong and talented local artists to create a stunning mural outside our head office, Watson House, celebrating our 185-year heritage and the incredible journey we’ve shared with this city.

We were honoured to have our Group Chairman, Mr. Dominic Lai, and Group CEO, Dr. Malina Ngai, together with our Management Team, officially unveil this meaningful artwork. Previously, students from the We R Family Foundation and our colleagues came together for inspiring wall-painting activities. This mural is more than just art—it’s a powerful symbol of unity, creativity, and our shared commitment to Growing as One for a brighter future.

Celebrating 185 Years of Growing As One

Tue, 06 Jan 2026 09:40:03 +0000

To mark AS Watson’s 185th anniversary, we expressed our heartfelt appreciation to colleagues across our Hong Kong offices, stores, and warehouse through thoughtful gifts inspired by the wisdom of the past and the sweetness of the present.

Among the highlights was a delightful surprise: a miniature replica of Effective Remedies for All, a historic booklet that once detailed the efficacy and pricing of AS Watson’s medicines. As we step into our 185th anniversary, we are committed to making 2026 an exceptional year.

AS Watson Marks 185 Years of Caring: Surpasses 10,000 Smiles for Children With Cleft Lips

Mon, 05 Jan 2026 02:27:15 +0000

AS Watson, the world’s largest international health and beauty retailer, celebrates its 185^th anniversary - a journey from Hong Kong’s first western pharmacy to a global retail leader. This milestone also marks a major achievement in its “Give a Smile” campaign with Operation Smile: surpassing its goal of 10,000 free surgeries for children with cleft conditions ahead of schedule. AS Watson now sets a new target - 15,000 surgeries by 2030 - reaffirming its commitment to brighter futures for our next generation.

A Legacy of Care and Purpose

Reflecting on this journey, Dr Malina Ngai, Group CEO of AS Watson, said, “As we mark 185 years, I am deeply proud of how AS Watson has grown from a single pharmacy in Hong Kong to a global leader in health and beauty retail. Our journey is defined not just by growth, but by the countless smiles we’ve helped create - for our customers, our people, and the communities we serve. I am grateful to our 130,000 colleagues, our loyal customers, and our partners for their dedication and trust. Together, we will continue to create smiles—one at a time, for everyone.”

185 Years of Inspiring Smiles

From the very beginning, AS Watson believes that health and happiness should never be a privilege. In the early days, we offered free medicines to those in need because seeing smiles on the faces of the people we served mattered most. For 185 years, AS Watson has placed care for customers and communities at the heart of our journey, a commitment that continues to shape everything we do today.

This enduring spirit of care inspired the launch of the global “Give a Smile” campaign in 2018, supporting comprehensive cleft care to improve children’s physical and emotional well‑being. Guided by the belief that “Give 1 Smile, Create 5”, the campaign creates a ripple effect of hope and smile by uplifting not just patients, but also families, surgeons, hospitals, and community outreach.

“Every 3 minutes, a child is born with a cleft condition,” said Kathy Magee, Operation Smile Co-Founder, President and CEO. “Thanks to AS Watson, we are able to provide access to essential surgical and comprehensive cleft care for thousands of patients. With its support, we are closing the gap between where our patients live and access to the care they need. Congratulations to AS Watson on its 185th anniversary and the achievement of 10,000 smile surgeries, making a transformative impact on the lives of so many families around the world.”

Malina added, “We sincerely thank our customers for their generous support and donations, which have made these life-changing surgeries possible. Looking ahead, AS Watson will continue to raise funds, donate, and actively involve our customers in supporting children with cleft lips - ensuring we create even more smiles together.”

Learn more about AS Watson’s 185-year journey of growth:

https://185-anniversary.aswatson.com/