WatsON - Stay tuned with AS Watson

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/

“Effective Remedies for All” - A Legacy of Care and Innovation

Mon, 05 Jan 2026 01:00:04 +0000

AS Watson was Hong Kong’s first pharmacy to introduce Western medicine. In the summer of 1881, the company published its first pharmaceutical booklet, Effective Remedies for All (《妙藥同人》), written by Alexander Skirving Watson, a British pharmacist and the first store manager.

This booklet not only listed the efficacy and prices of AS Watson’s medicines but also carried an educational mission—to promote knowledge and enhance public understanding of Western medicine. It even featured plaques and dedications from prominent figures, praising the pharmacy’s contribution to the community.

Mr. Watson firmly believed that the power of medicine lies not only in curing illness but in safeguarding life. Guided by a spirit of care, he championed community health by offering free consultations and treatments to those in need, while ensuring access to quality medicines. His efforts laid the foundation for the development of Western medicine in Hong Kong.

This enduring spirit of care has shaped AS Watson’s promise to customers: “To put a smile on our customers’ faces today and tomorrow.” It is a belief that has spanned more than a century—protecting health, serving communities—and continues to inspire us as we move toward a brighter future.

For the story of “Effective Remedies for All”, you may watch the following video:

New Year Message from Group CEO Malina

Fri, 02 Jan 2026 01:01:05 +0000

2026 marks an extraordinary milestone for AS Watson. Our Group CEO, Malina, shares her New Year message, inspiring us all to be exceptional in the year ahead.

Malina highlights, “This extraordinary milestone belongs to all of you — our people, our customers, our partners, and the communities we serve.”

“As we step into 2026, I want to leave you with one call to action: let’s choose one small thing every day we can do every day to be exceptional — one act of care, one moment of teamwork, and one new idea. Together, let’s make 2026 an exceptional year.”

Watch Malina’s full video message:

Protected & Proud

Wed, 31 Dec 2025 02:13:05 +0000

Watsons Philippines teamed up with Premiere Condoms to make history at the Protected & Proud Concert, setting a new Guinness World Records title for the world’s largest condom donation in one hour.

With more than 13,000 condoms donated in just 60 minutes, this milestone celebrates Watsons’ commitment to making protection and empowerment accessible for all. Through this partnership, Watsons continues to champion accessibility, education, helping local make informed choices for a healthier future.

Joyful Shopping Journey

Tue, 30 Dec 2025 04:39:25 +0000

Watsons Indonesia hosted a vibrant launch event at the Kota Kasablanka Mall, introducing Wello to customers. Designed to elevate the online shopping journey, Wello brings a smoother, more engaging experience for all.

The event featured an exciting mix of activities, including a talk show, interactive games, a photo challenge, and a character introduction session that showcased Wello’s friendly and fun personality to Watsons Club Members and customers.

Top Scorers of Customer Love Score💯

Tue, 23 Dec 2025 11:00:16 +0000

At AS Watson, customers are at the heart of everything we do. We demonstrate our commitment by listening closely to their feedback through the monthly Customer Love Score survey, conducted across all markets after each visit. Congratulations to this month’s Top Scorers for achieving a perfect score of 100 — a true reflection of their dedication to customer delight!

In this month's Top Scorer series, we feature:

Watsons Malaysia – Aeon Big, Penang Prai
Watsons Philippines – Laoag
The Perfume Shop – Merry Hill 2
Marionnaud France – Bordeaux Verdun

We prioritise customer happiness through friendly, professional service. Our team treats every customer like a friend, always with a smile. By listening to feedback and understanding their needs, we continually improve to make every shopping experience enjoyable.
Mohamad Aliff Haiqal Bin Mat Rani, Store Manager
Watsons Malaysia – Aeon Big, Penang Prai

We make every store visit memorable with genuine smiles, proactive assistance, and meaningful conversations. By listening, offering thoughtful recommendations, and resolving concerns with empathy, we ensure every customer leaves confident and delighted.
Sharah Lei Guillermo, Store Manager
Watsons Philippines – Laoag

Our team succeeds by creating a welcoming atmosphere where every customer feels valued. Through active listening and expert advice, we deliver friendly, personalised service that builds trust, loyalty, and delight.
Steph Snape, Store Manager
The Perfume Shop – Merry Hill 2

Our 100% success rate reflects our commitment to impeccable service. We build strong partnerships, while listening closely to customers to understand their needs, foster trust, and drive lasting loyalty.
Marie Eve Barouk Ferret, Store Manager
Marionnaud France – Bordeaux Verdun

Feel Good Inside Out

Mon, 22 Dec 2025 04:25:33 +0000

Watsons China partnered with the popular sports app “Keep” to host the Watsons Sports Carnival in Xiamen, promoting both mental and physical wellness. The event combined outdoor running and indoor yoga with a variety of engaging interactive activities, attracting over a thousand sports enthusiasts and creating a vibrant carnival atmosphere. Customers also enjoyed interactive booths featuring exciting Watsons health and beauty services and products, adding an extra touch of fun and self-care to the experience.

Recognised for Excellence

Fri, 19 Dec 2025 02:18:20 +0000

Watsons Turkey has achieved outstanding success, earning seven prestigious accolades that celebrate its commitment to innovation and sustainability, including:

E-Commerce Awards – Best Integrated E-Commerce Website with Physical Stores (Gold)
E-Commerce Awards – Personal Care Website of the Year (Gold)
E-Commerce Awards – Best Customer Service Integration (Silver)
E-Commerce Awards – Best Mobile E-Commerce Experience (Bronze)
Climate and Sustainability Awards – Most Influential Sustainability Project of the Year
Shopping Centers and Investors (AYD) and Akademetre Research & Strategic Planning – Most Liked and Preferred Retail Brands
TECHX Awards – Innovative Experience in Retail category

These recognitions highlight Watsons Turkey’s unwavering commitment to innovation, sustainability, and delivering exceptional customer experiences through technology.