WatsON - Stay tuned with AS Watson

Building a More Accessible Digital Future

Wed, 16 Sep 2026 03:45:16 +0000

To enhance digital inclusion in compliance with the European Accessibility Act, ESDlife is providing proactive digital accessibility consultation and audit services to AS Watson subsidiaries in Europe, including Drogas, Superdrug, ICI PARIS XL, The Perfume Shop, Kruidvat, and Trekpleister. Led by a team of IAAP-certified experts, this initiative ensures that all individuals, regardless of their abilities, enjoy barrier-free access to modern digital technology.

Supporting the initiative, eLab Tech acts as the program coordinator, overseeing audit planning and execution, tracking timelines and progress, and facilitating contractual and governance activities to ensure a consistent approach across all business units. All together, we aim to ensure that people of all abilities can access online services and information without barriers.

Bringing Beauty and Music Together

Tue, 15 Sep 2026 07:44:46 +0000

ICI PARIS XL Belgium surprised customers with an exclusive live DJ set by renowned DJ Amber Broos, transforming the store into a vibrant beauty and entertainment destination.

The activation features a unique in-store experience including beauty touch-ups, refreshments and exclusive gift bags, creating memorable experiences for customers while connecting with the next generation of beauty shoppers.

From Efficiency to Reinvention: Navigating the AI Transformation

Mon, 14 Sep 2026 04:23:16 +0000

185 years of retail history teaches you one thing: every era brings disruption.

From chain stores to specialty retail, from international expansion to O+O, AS Watson has continuously evolved alongside our customers.

Today, we stand at the beginning of another transformation: AI.

Our Group CEO Malina spoke at the Fortune Leaders Forum 2026 how AI can create lasting value for businesses and customers.

"Our AI ambition should not be to become a more efficient retailer. It should be to become a more intelligent, more human, and more trusted retailer. Efficiency is the first benefit. Reinvention is the real prize."

As leaders, this requires us to rethink more than technology.

First, we must shift from optimising processes to optimising customer outcomes.

Second, we must redesign work, not just automate work.

If we use AI to make yesterday's processes 20% faster, we create incremental value. If we reimagine how work is done and how customers are served, we create exponential value.

Third, we must embrace human-AI partnership.

She does not believe the future belongs to AI-only organisations.

Especially in retail, customers continue to value trust, empathy, judgement, and human connection.

AI provides intelligence.
Humans provide context.
AI provides scale.
Humans provide meaning.

The greatest opportunities will belong to organisations that combine the strengths of both.

She concluded the discussion, “The biggest AI value gap will not exist between companies that have AI and those that do not. It will exist between leaders who use AI to improve the past and leaders who use AI to create the future. The future of retail is not less human.

If we get AI right, it will be more human than ever.”

Small Actions, Lasting Impact

Fri, 11 Sep 2026 09:21:14 +0000

AS Watson Industries recently hosted a Sustainability Market, bringing together colleagues and 12 social enterprises committed to building a more caring and sustainable community.

The market featured a wide variety of environmentally and socially responsible products, including upcycled crafts, fair-trade food, locally grown produce and lifestyle essentials. Through engaging with the participating social enterprises, colleagues gained a deeper understanding of sustainability while supporting initiatives that create positive social impact.

The event encouraged colleagues to make more conscious choices in their daily lives and demonstrated how small actions can contribute to a more inclusive and sustainable future.

Turning Green Actions into Everyday Rewards

Thu, 10 Sep 2026 08:50:24 +0000

MoneyBack has partnered with the Environmental Protection Department’s GREEN$ Programme to launch an exclusive points conversion campaign, encouraging more customers to embrace sustainable living through everyday actions.

The initiative promotes responsible recycling, including paper, metals, plastics and regulated electrical equipment (REE) through free doorstep collection services. Members can easily convert their GREEN$ points into MoneyBack Points via the GREEN$ App and redeem them across Watsons Hong Kong, PARKnSHOP, and Fortress, making sustainable choices more rewarding and accessible.

From the Field to the Boardroom: Training for Leadership

Tue, 08 Sep 2026 12:40:18 +0000

At Philanthropy for Better Cities (PBC) 2026, convened by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, Malina, our Group CEO, joined the panel discussion “From the Field to the Boardroom: Training for Leadership.” Drawing on her journey from athlete to Asian Games rowing medallist, she shared how sport has shaped her leadership and why its lessons should be extended to the next generation.

The Foundation of Leadership Excellence

Malina described sport as society’s greatest leadership university – one that develops discipline, resilience, self-awareness and teamwork far beyond the pursuit of medals. “My sports background taught me that success is not built in the spotlight. It is built in the quiet moments of discipline, preparation and consistency. In sport and in business, discipline turns ambition into results.”

Years after stepping away from elite competition, Malina said she still “lives like an athlete,” applying the same discipline to exercise and continuous learning. Sport also cultivated the capacity for honest reflection: “In sport, self-awareness tells you where you need to train. In leadership, it tells you where you need to grow.”

Teamwork is equally fundamental. “Sport taught me that winning is never about the person holding the trophy. It is about the team behind the result. Leadership is exactly the same,” Malina said. As Group CEO, she measures success not by individual achievement, but by whether thousands of colleagues are empowered to perform better.

She therefore sees herself less as a coach on the sidelines and more as a team captain on the field — setting direction while remaining fully engaged in the game. People, she noted, follow more than instructions; they follow standards, energy, discipline and example.

Leading Through Imperfection

This philosophy also shapes the culture Malina seeks to build across AS Watson. “Culture is not what we say; culture is what we repeatedly do.” A multinational organisation does not need everyone to be the same, but it does need everyone to be aligned. High performance is rarely about doing something extraordinary once; it is about doing the essential things exceptionally well, consistently, every day. Malina also emphasised that excellence should not be confused with perfection: “In business, not everything is perfect. Leaders must navigate internal, external, people-related and environmental factors. I therefore had to change my mindset: it is not about perfection, but about managing imperfection. No organisation will have a dream team at every moment.”

Turning Performance into Lasting Impact

Her own transition from athletics to rowing after a serious knee injury reinforced another enduring principle: resilience is not about never falling, but recovering faster. Malina connected these leadership lessons directly to philanthropy. “Companies generate profit, but the most successful companies improve lives. Donations matter, but lasting impact matters more.” For AS Watson, sport and philanthropy share the same mission: unlocking human potential.

Supporting the Next Generation

As an extension of this commitment, AS Watson Group Hong Kong Outstanding Student Sports Awards recognises young athletes’ dedication and achievements, while Watsons Athletic Club provides sustained opportunities for young people to train, compete and realise their potential.

Rebecca Chiu, Community Relations Manager of AS Watson, said: “Through these programmes, we recognise achievement and create pathways for young people to grow through sport, building resilience, confidence and teamwork that will empower them throughout life.”

Rolling Back with Unbeatable Value

Mon, 07 Sep 2026 10:39:35 +0000

Kruidvat's much-loved red character balls are back for the final flight of this year's Get it Get it Get it Weeks campaign. Playful, bold and impossible to ignore, the animated characters race, bounce and zoom through a real Kruidvat store, putting the spotlight on the brand's best-value deals.

Combining eye-catching creativity and unbeatable offers, Get it Get it Get it Weeks once again demonstrates how Kruidvat brings value to life in a fun and memorable way.

Beyond Refreshment

Fri, 04 Sep 2026 03:03:56 +0000

By bringing together music, social experiences and brand interaction, Watson's Soda is creating new ways to engage young consumers across China. Through a seven-city music tour, the brand has delivered immersive experiences that connect consumers beyond the product itself. Having already attracted more than 2,400 attendees, the initiative demonstrates how creativity can strengthen brand relevance and engagement.

Fortress Brings Anime Style to Everyday Life

Thu, 03 Sep 2026 07:43:58 +0000

Fortress is teaming up with the globally popular anime series DanDaDan for the first time, launching 10 exclusive limited-edition summer collectibles for anime fans and trendsetters alike.

Inspired by the beloved character Turbo Granny, the collection features a range of stylish lifestyle and fashion accessories in a striking black, white and blue colour palette. Blending anime culture with everyday style, these trendy items add a playful touch to daily life.

Building Confidence Through Discovery

Wed, 02 Sep 2026 04:05:28 +0000

MoneyBack, AS Watson Retail Hong Kong's membership reward programme, was delighted to partner with HSBC to create a unique “Little Store Manager” experience, giving children the opportunity to step behind the scenes of retail and discover how a store operates.

Through a series of interactive activities, children explored customer service, product management and smart spending habits, while also learning more about Hong Kong’s rich heritage. The experience helped build confidence, curiosity and practical life skills in a fun and engaging way.

By bringing learning to life through real-world experiences, MoneyBack and HSBC continue to inspire young minds to explore, discover and prepare for the future.