As Asia’s leading health and beauty retailer, Watsons recently launched its 600th store in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, coinciding with the brand’s 35th anniversary in the Chinese mainland.
The latest store, located in Longgang Wanda Plaza in Shenzhen, Guangdong province, is a health concept store and features a unique design with vibrant runways that reflect Watsons’ commitment to health. The store features multiple specialized areas, offering a comprehensive range of health products to customers.
A legacy of 183 years
With a rich history spanning 183 years, Watsons began its journey as the “Canton Dispensary” on Shamian Island, Guangzhou, in 1828, dedicated to passionately serving local customers.
It relocated to Hong Kong in 1841 and established the “Hong Kong Dispensary”, becoming the first pharmacy in Hong Kong to offer Western medicines. Throughout its history, Watsons has always prioritized community health and well-being, including providing free medicines to those in need.
Watsons has continuously expanded its business and developed in the Chinese mainland since 1989, staying true to its core values of servicing the people in need. Despite evolving through two centuries, Watsons remains committed to putting customers first and caring for the community. Today, it stands as a trusted brand known for its commitment to excellent customer service.
Dr. Malina Ngai, group CEO of AS Watson
, said, “Over the past 180 years, Watsons has grown from Guangdong to a global presence with over 8,000 stores across Asia. We have navigated numerous challenges and celebrated many achievements along the way. The opening of our 600th store in the GBA not only marks our significant growth, but also reflects our deep connection with our customers.”
“Our loyalty membership program connects all cities within the GBA, offering seamless cross-border shopping experiences and membership benefits. This milestone highlights our confidence in future opportunities in the GBA, and we remain committed to innovating and adapting to meet our customers’ evolving needs,” Malina added.
Heritage and innovation
Watsons has upheld its heritage of care and continued to support its community and fulfilled its promise to customers by offering diverse, high-quality products while becoming an essential part of their lives.
To meet customers’ evolving needs, Watsons has embraced innovation by launching a seamless O+O (offline and online) shopping experience and introducing over 4,000 new products each year in the GBA. Popular categories among customers in Hong Kong and Macao include healthcare, skincare, and daily necessities, while customers from the Chinese mainland favor derma skincare, hair care, and cosmetics. When shopping cross-border, Hong Kong customers often look for skincare, derma skincare and oral care products, while Chinese mainland customers frequently shop for healthcare products.
Looking ahead, business expansion in the GBA and the whole Chinese mainland market remains Watsons’ core strategy. Backed by robust growth opportunities, Watsons is committed to further investing in the GBA to enhance customer service and deliver an exceptional O+O shopping experience.
