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Tag: AS Watson

  • AS Watson to start selling Amorepacific

    AS Watson to start selling Amorepacific

    South Korean beauty group Amorepacific and AS Watson have expanded their partnership to cover Asia and Europe. The partnership will enable Amorepacific to increase its product presence through Watsons-owned stores and online. Before this, the two had already partnered to launch Amorepacific’s botanical skincare brand Mamonde, haircare brands RYO and Mise-En-Scene across Asia.

    “AS Watson and Amorepacific are both leading players in serving beauty customers. Our customers love Korean beauty products that bring not only innovation but also quality. This is what Amorepacific can provide,” said Malina Ngai, AS Watson Group COO.

    “Through this partnership, we are both passionate and committed to combining our knowledge and capabilities to bring the best products and shopping experience to our customers.”

    Saehong Ahn, president of Amorepacific Corporation and Malina Ngai, group COO of AS Watson Group sign the strategic partnership.

    President of Amorepacific Saehong Ahn said the group “looks forward to developing concrete plans that create synergy and is a win for both companies”.

    “Amorepacific will continue our efforts to expand accessibility for customers globally, and create novel experience for customers this year.”

    AS Watson Group has a store network of more than 14,900 stores under 12 retail brands in 25 markets. Included in that are about 6800 Watsons health and beauty stores in 12 markets in Asia and Europe.

    Core customer groups are relatively young, and K-beauty is experiencing 56 per cent compound sales growth since 2015, and gaining traction in Europe with last year’s growth at 122 per cent.

    Amorepacific is the leading beauty company in South Korea, with more than 70 years of experience in beauty and a wide brand portfolio.

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  • AS Watson reports success with predictive modelling marketing

    AS Watson reports success with predictive modelling marketing

    International health and beauty retailer AS Watson Group says its use of predictive modelling technology is delivering successful product launches. The firm has worked in close partnership with brands to help them penetrate specific demographics or enter new markets. Recently this included Jeffree Star Cosmetics launching exclusively at ICI Paris XL in Europe, and in Asia a continuing long-term partnership with Maybelline at Watsons Thailand – both of which achieved targeted results.

    “At AS Watson, due to our extensive global knowledge of the beauty industry and CRM data, we are able to help niche brands like Jeffree Star and major brands including Maybelline launch products onto the market,” explains Malina Ngai, AS Watson Group COO.

    “Using our integrated online and offline model, this allows us to create these types of brand partnerships to specifically target and engage the right customers.”

    L’Oreal and AS Watson Group developed a long-term partnership working together to drive sales, while in 2018, Watsons Thailand partnered with Maybelline on a year-long CRM program.

    Supported by the AS Watson DataLab, the group’s customer intelligence team, this campaign was designed to communicate offers to relevant customers through electronic direct mail. Watsons targeted members in three phases in order to recruit new category shoppers, grow each customer’s basket value and engage customers in new product offers.

    To ensure the campaign built on data insight to target the right members, Watsons used a three-stage approach to accurately identify customers and ensure they were provided with the most attractive offers.

    This three-stage campaign saw more than 3.5 million emails delivered to members, attracting more than 170,000 customers to buy into the brand. This targeted and focused approach saw double-digit percentage of the brand’s sales directly attributable to this campaign. In addition, Maybelline’s sales and the number of members recorded double-digit growth compared to the previous year.

    L’Oreal Thailand’s GM consumer products division Geoff Bellingham said two of the biggest challenges a brand faces are acquiring new customers and then having those customers shop again with the brand.

    “Our Watsons Thailand CRM program allowed us to successfully achieve both of those goals for Maybelline. All customers and especially beauty shoppers want relevant, more personally curated offers and this partnership was carefully created to ensure the right offers for right people.

    “The activity is just one example of the close and successful collaboration between Watsons and L’Oreal”.
    ICI Paris XL launched world-renowned beauty influencer Jeffree Star’s cosmetic range in November, exclusively to customers in The Netherlands and Belgium. To launch the brand ICI Paris XL created a digital campaign to target customers whose data and insight profile indicated they would love the new brand, as well as looking to capture new customers. The digital campaign was created to specifically target those under 35, as this is the brand’s core target market.

    Predictive modelling technology was used to identify and communicate with members who had a high tendency to shop for new makeup brands and trends, and these people received customised emails announcing the launch, bringing the social media personality to life, as well as highlighting hero elements of the cosmetics range. This targeted approach saw more than 300,000 customers receive personalised emails, leading to an open rate of 25 per cent.  Following this, 40 per cent then visited the brand’s page on the ICI Paris XL website with the result that 70 per cent of members under 35 bought into the range during the launch period.

    “Following the success of my brand in the the US, I really wanted to extend my brand’s reach into Europe,” said Jeffree Star. “AS Watson has provided me with an efficient distribution platform as well as the tools to be able to target my fans and beauty lovers that like to create bright, fun and innovative beauty looks.”

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  • Watsons Vietnam opens first store this month

    Watsons Vietnam opens first store this month

    Hong Kong-headquartered healthcare and beauty retailer Watsons is to launch in Vietnam. The first Watsons Vietnam store will open on January 17, in the lower floors of the high-profile Bitexco tower in downtown Ho Chi Minh City. The store will take up at least one floor of a two-storey space recently vacated by Topshop. Teasing the launch, a huge backdrop with the slogan “Look good, Feel great” has been built outside the space, attracting many Vietnamese youngsters to take selfies and check in on social media.

    On its LinkedIn page, Watsons Vietnam has been recruiting staff for the store and featuring the same artwork as on the Bitexco backdrop.

    Watsons Vietnam will compete with rival Hong Kong healthcare and beauty chain Guardian, owned by Dairy Farm International, which launched in Ho Chi Minh City in 2011 and now claims to have more than 60 stores in four cities.

    Watsons is operated by AS Watson, a subsidiary of retail and telecommunications giant CK Hutchison which is quarter-owned by Singapore sovereign investment fund Temasek Holdings. AS Watson has some 6800 Watsons health and beauty stores in 12 markets in Asia and Europe, including Hong Kong, Mainland China, Taiwan, Macau, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines and Indonesia. The broader AS Watson group has 14,500 stores, including electrical retailers and grocery stores.

    Watsons has just celebrated the opening of its 500th store in Bangkok, Thailand. The store photo accompanying this story is of Watson’s new-generation store at IconSiam in Bangkok.

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  • Temasek plans to sell AS Watson stake

    Temasek plans to sell AS Watson stake

    Singapore’s Temasek Holdings is reportedly looking to quit its stake in Hong Kong-headquartered beauty products retailer AS Watson. Temasek spent US$5.6 billion to acquire a 25 per cent share of AS Watson in 2014 from Hong Kong’s CK Hutchison, which retains the majority stake. According to report, Temasek made the investment expecting the business to be listed within three years. But softening investor sentiment towards retail sector listings has weakened since that plan was first envisaged. Investors are spooked by the demise of a slew of brick-and-mortar-focused brands across developed markets.

    AS Watson has some 14,500 stores in 24 markets around the world, and has market leadership in 15 of those. That could make the business an attractive target for private equity funds, despite the company appearing to be focused more on opening new stores than migrating online, where consumers are buying more beauty and healthcare products.

    Bloomberg says in an analysis published online, that a private equity business would be among the more likely buyers for the Temasek stake, given the amount of industry money that’s sitting idle.

    “That said, any acquirer will still be in a minority position, even if the entire 25 per cent is sold. Along with the business’s poor growth prospects, the absence of control is likely to be reflected in the valuation. This is one retail sale that will need a discount to be attractive.”

  • A.S. Watson Group’s Number of Loyalty Members Reached 130million

    A.S. Watson Group’s Number of Loyalty Members Reached 130million

    In a world where customer preferences are ever-changing and they always want to try out something new, loyalty is everything to retailers. That is why A.S. Watson Group, the world’s largest international health and beauty retailer, is further investing in its loyal customers to give them unparalleled levels of rewards. Last month, the Group announced it is rolling out new VIP loyalty programmes worldwide to enhance customer connectivity and plans to extend to all of its 24 markets by early 2019.

    With 130 million loyalty members across the globe currently, the new VIP programme is an additional and invitation-only tier of membership which aims to reward and retain top customers. Malina Ngai, Group Chief Operating Officer of A.S. Watson Group, says, “We appreciate our customers, no matter how much they spend in our stores, and we know they love to feel valued. Our existing loyalty programmes reward everyone with great offers, but our VIP programmes thank our most loyal customers for shopping with us with amazing benefits and even more tailored rewards.” Getting Closer with Customers Since 2010, A.S. Watson Group has invested in CRM programmes in all of its key operating markets in Asia and Europe. Since that time, the Group has grown incredibly fast to an amazing 130 million members worldwide.

    The Group understands that great products, prices and service are not enough to remain close to customers. Customers are increasingly making decisions based on how retailers connect with them and make them feel. Data insights and analysis of existing CRM programmes show that around two thirds of customers who qualify as “VIP members” in a year continue as such the following year.

    These VIP members spend up to eight times more than average members each year, and this year the newly qualified VIP members’ spending saw a year-on-year double-digit increase. Now, the Group is launching VIP programmes around the globe to connect with its VIP members more closely and reward these highly valuable customers, offering an extra layer of advantages, many of which are personalised to the individual, such as exclusive invitations to product previews, members only Zumba dance events, family movie days, early access to sales and promotions and more bonus points.

    Moreover, there are a variety of additional benefits that are tailored to what’s valuable to the lifestyle of the local customer. Examples of this can be seen with free health and wellbeing classes offered to some VIP customers, such as invitations to fitness training classes for Watsons China and invitations to yoga in the sky and cooking classes for Watsons Malaysia VIP members.

    Other additional benefits include free movie tickets with Watsons Thailand, free exclusive gifts with purchases and sample boxes with The Perfume Shop in the UK and opportunities to be brand ambassadors and invitation to exclusive beauty workshops and shopping nights with ICI PARIS XL. Using Data Technology to Enhance Customer Connectivity In line with the launch of the Group’s CRM programmes in 2010, A.S. Watson has established a CRM function and focus on building CRM capabilities.

    This year, the Group launched DataLab which unites over 100 CRM experts around the world to share insights and best practices. With four billion customers each year and 30 million items sold every day around the world, A.S. Watson Group collects on average 4,300 terabytes of customer data every three years.

    To convert such enormous amounts of data to a useful tool which helps build closer relationships with customers, DataLab is using the latest technology to extract vital customer insights. This will help A.S. Watson better understands its VIP members, and provide more personalised, exclusive offers; all of this is done to achieve even stronger customer connectivity. Malina added, “We’re continuously investing into data technology and in doing so have launched DataLab, which does not only help us generate customer insights that are useful in enhancing retention and increase customer spending, but also enables the Group to make smarter decisions, blending science, experience and intuition. With cutting-edge data technology, we are turning transactions to interaction and that is how we are staying connected with our customers.”

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  • L’Oreal China get fuel from Colorlab by Watsons

    L’Oreal China get fuel from Colorlab by Watsons

    International health and beauty retailer AS Watson has teamed up with L’Oreal to launch Colorlab by Watsons, a new concept makeup store in China.

    The first Colorlab launched in Shenzhen early this year as a trial, followed by more openings in Guangzhou and Shanghai. Now the company has revealed plans to roll out a further 50 stores across China by the end of this year. The stores feature modern black interiors to convey a fashionable and trendy experience-led makeup space, with access to on-hand makeup artists.

    L’Oreal brands occupy more than 30 per cent of retail space, and such an arrangement is exclusive to Colorlab only.

    With the rise of online shopping and changing shopping behaviours of younger customers, it is expected that the focus on innovative physical spaces and refreshing shopping experiences will help attract younger buyers.

    AS Watson Group COO Malina Ngai said: “Makeup was identified as a huge growth area for Watsons, and working with L’Oreal on the development of this new store concept meant that we had the expertise of an established makeup supplier at the forefront. Colorlab stores put the customers experience first and rather than just purchasing makeup, we wanted to give customers access to advice and expertise from skilled makeup artists, as well as the opportunity to try out different looks and play about with new products.”

    View the gallery below (4 images) :
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  • AS WATSON unveils new foodservice-focused concept store in China

    AS WATSON unveils new foodservice-focused concept store in China

    Located on B2 of the Cheung Kong Center, the store, called CKC18, groups together four AS Watson retail brands in a way which makes each store appear independent, but connected.

    The 26,000sqft CKC18 is home to international food emporium Food Le Parc, health and beauty outlet WatsonsLab, a TechLife by Fortress and Bar 0001 by Watson’s Wine.

    CK Hutchison Holdings chairman and group MD Victor Li and AS Watson Group MD Dominic Lai led the management team at a grand opening event last week.

    “As one of the landmarks in Hong Kong, Cheung Kong Center is located at the heart of the business district in Central with top notch financial institutions,” said Lai. “The grand opening of CKC18 indicates that Cheung Kong Center will soon become a hotspot for dining, shopping, entertaining and self-pampering.”

    TechLife by Fortress

    The electronics store brings together what AS Watson describes as “the trendiest and most innovative lifestyle gadgets”, eSports products and exclusive products from Xiaomi. There is also a GameZ area that allows customers to try on the international renowned eSports gear.

    Food Le Parc

    Food Le Parc – which translates to food park in English, offers 8500 choices of food from around the world, of which 1600 products are exclusive to CKC18.

    WatsonsLab

    A specialised Watsons boutique, WatsonsLab includes a ‘beauty bar’ that carries leading global cosmetics brands. A ‘Style Me’ app available in-store leverages Augmented Reality technology to offer virtual make-up services, offering more than 100 mix-and-match looks.

    Bar 0001

    Watson’s Wine and its in-shop Bar 0001 offers almost 100 wines, sakes and spirits sourced from around the world by the glass and more than 700 wines to take away.

     

    New technologies

    Lai says the team which created CKC18 wanted the store to demonstrate AS Watson’s determination to speed up digital transformation.

    The Scan & Go function in the app MoneyBack allows customers of Food Le Parc to simply take the products, scan the barcodes with their phones and pay at self-checkout counters. And at WatsonsLab, the Style Me tablet equipped with AR technology instantly and virtually shows customers how they look like when applying different makeup products.

    “We are glad to introduce the latest retail technologies to optimise shopping experience in a convenient and innovative approach. CKC18 applies technologies intensively. Besides the use of Alipay and other mobile payments, unmanned checkout counters are also available at WatsonsLab.

    Customers can simply checkout by placing their shopping baskets on checkout counters that automatically scan and tally up the total, and electronic payments are supported.

    “In addition, customers can use the TasteToGo function in MoneyBack app to reserve their meals in advance at Food Le Parc, minimising their waiting time during rush hours.”

    The store will also host events such as cooking exhibitions, gaming shows by eSports players, sake tasting and personalised make-up designs.

    AS Watson Group is the world’s largest international health and beauty retailer, currently opening a new retail store somewhere in the world on average every seven hours. That equates to 1300 this year, including more in Hong Kong.

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  • A.S. Watson announces slew of new tech vendors to support its digital transformation

    A.S. Watson announces slew of new tech vendors to support its digital transformation

    Health and beauty retailer AS Watson (ASW) has launched a Technology Partnership Programme as part of a move to speed up its digital transformation globally.

    The program brings together a wide range of international technology providers and recognises them as strategic partners rather than suppliers, explained Malina Ngai, group COO of ASW.

    “We believe every technology partner whom we have chosen to work with is more than just a vendor. Traditional client-vendor relationship is short-term. There is lack of transparency and continuity in the way we work with each other. Besides, project base contract makes it difficult for their resource planning.

    “The partnership program is designed to transform the short term contractual relationship to a longer term strategic relationship to create a win-win for both parties. Our tech partners will have access to senior management, visibility on our growth strategy and technology roadmap, as well as a longer term financial commitment from us. We can benefit from their commitment in providing consistent resources, expert advice and services, as well as first hand access to innovation they develop,” said Ngai.

    ASW, which has more than 15,000 stores globally, embarked on its digital transformation journey in 2011 when it introduces its Customer Strategy initiative. The company invested US$70 million initially, dedicated to CRM, eCommerce and mobile experience.

    It subsequently established eLab in 2015, an in-house digital agency focusing on supporting all operating businesses to develop e-commerce and digital marketing.  This year, ASW kicked off a further $70 million investment in big data to build new capabilities in analytics and machine learning.

    “The goal of our digital transformation is to enable AS Watson Group to build on our solid retail foundation to fuel further growth through a smarter and more efficient organisation,” said Ngai.

    “Our purpose of putting customer first and putting a smile on their faces continues. We recognise that our customers are changing rapidly and technology has become an ever more critical ingredient to deliver our purpose.”

    The first batch of tech partners comprises expertise in the areas of e-commerce, store systems, data science, AI, data visualisation, technology ecosystem and services.

    The partners include Microsoft, Epam, Ovolab, Rubikloud, Mtel, Infosys, NCR, Zebra Technologies, SAP and Oracle.

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  • AS Watson to inject $70m in Canadian AI startup

    AS Watson to inject $70m in Canadian AI startup

    Hong Kong-based retailer A.S. Watson Group said on Thursday it will spend $70 million over the next three years in big data technologies, including investment in a Canadian artificial intelligence venture company.

    A.S. Watson will consolidate its customer data holdings into a big data analysis system for retailers developed by Rubikloud to optimize sales promotion activities and business operations.

    Rubikloud has an app designed to analyze customer characteristics and their purchase history using AI. The information will then be used for individual marketing and prediction of future sales.

    When A.S. Watson introduced the app at European stores on a trial basis starting in 2015, sales from personalized promotion activities increased by more than 8% over 10 months, hence the latest tie-up decision.

    “We are investing in big data amid global economic uncertainties because we believe that technology is a critical enabler for successful retailing in today’s world,” said Malina Ngai, chief operating officer of A.S. Watson Group, in a statement. Ngai added that Rubikloud’s technology will enable the company to “focus our resources, from back-end support to the shop floor, on building a better customer experience.”

    Kerry Liu, CEO of Rubikloud, said the company aims to enhance A.S. Watson’s capabilities to personalize customer offers through advanced targeting by “applying machine learning and flexible big data architectures in practical applications.”

    A.S. Watson is a subsidiary of conglomerate CK Hutchison Holdings, led by Li Ka-shing, a Hong Kong-based billionaire.

    A.S. Watson has more than 13,000 retail stores, including the company’s drugstore chain, in 25 countries and regions such as Asia and Europe. Li’s venture fund Horizons Ventures has also invested in Rubikloud.

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  • Watson Indonesia launches expansion plan

    Watson Indonesia launches expansion plan

    Watson Indonesia plans to open up to 20 new stores this year.

    Duta Intidaya, the local Watson’s rights-holder since 2006, will use about 65 per cent of the US$6.49 million raised in its recent IPO to fund the new stores, with the balance of the cash going to repay bank debt.

    While there are more than 100 Watson stores in Singapore and more than 400 in the  Philippines, the brand is under-represented in Indonesia, where to date just 47 have opened.

    Duta Intidaya says the new stores will open predominantly in shopping malls, with one high street store planned for tourist resort Bali. Three new stores have already started trading in Jakarta this year.

    Hong Kong-based AS Watson is keen to see the brand catch up its rivals by store network numbers: Century has more than 200 stores and rival Hong Kong chain Guardian has more than 100.

    “We are still small, so we need more funds to expand and the IPO is the most proper decision at this time. We want to build a stronger brand,” Duta Intidaya director Sukarnen Suwanto told a press conference.

    Duta Intidaya plans to continue growing at a rate of 15 to 20 stores annually, and will launch online in 2017.

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  • AS Watson opens global flagship

    AS Watson opens global flagship

    AS Watson Group has opened its 12,000th store worldwide – in Hong Kong’s Causeway Bay.

    Perhaps fittingly, the store is a three-storey flagship, at 8000 sqft, the brand’s largest store in Hong Kong.

    Located on Yun Ping Rd, the new store features the latest Watsons store design concept internationally, a blend of “contemporary and elegant style”.

    “As an all-rounded health and beauty store, the flagship store provides customers with over 8300 unique products, including 840 healthcare and beauty brands of which 250 are Watsons exclusives,” the company said in a statement.

    The wide selection of products are categorised into different themes, such as organic skincare products, derma cosmetics, baby care area, men’s care area and health checks. Pharmaceutical and beauty consulting services, in-store nursery room and mobile charging stations are available to provide comprehensive customer services.

    At the store’s opening ceremony, Li Tzar Kuoi, Victor, the co-MD and deputy chairman of Watson’s parent CK Hutchison’s Group said Hong Kong has a special place in the company’s heart.

    “Last year, AS Watson Group opened and refitted 76 retail stores in Hong Kong; and for this year, the number is expected to amount to over 80. The capital investment involved would be approximately HK$620 million over these two years,” Li said.

    “We will continue to invest in the city. ”

    Founded back in 1941 as a small dispensary, the AS Watson Group was the 14th company to register in Hong Kong. Now it is the world’s largest international health and beauty retailer and one of the world’s fastest-growing retailers. Watson plans to open 1300 new stores around the world in 2015 – nearly three per day.

    Fortune Centre Watsons Hong Kong Flagship Store has the widest selection of natural & organic skin care products of nine international brands, including the Anumi, a well-known Australian brand with international organic certification, and American brand Burt’s Bees.

    Derma cosmetic products from 12 brands are on sale, including the French cosmetic brands Uriage and Filorga, which will have their exclusive counter, and Watsons’ exclusive brands such as Skin Advanced, CNP. Customers can also enjoy skin analysis and derma cosmetics consulting services.

    A wide range of cosmetic brands, including Clio, Luna and Peripera, etc, from Korea will be exclusively offered in this biggest cosmetic zone among all Watsons stores. Nail brands like Sally Hansen and Depend 7Day will also be available here. Customers can even enjoy makeup or manicure services.

    The Baby Zone offers a large variety of baby products, ranging from diapers, baby wipes, milk powders, etc, giving babies full care and protection. The Men’s Zone offers men’s grooming and health products selections of 14 brands, including Men’s Biore, L’Oréal Men Expert and Za Men, which is a Watson’s exclusive.

    As the Asia’s largest health and beauty retailer, Watsons aims to make customers ‘Look Good, Feel Great’. Nine professionals, including two pharmacists, one dispenser, three health and fitness advisors and three beauty consultants will station in-store to provide customers with professional health consulting and assessment services, such as the Ultrasound Bone Density test as well as measurements for blood pressure and BMI (Body Mass Index).

    The Flagship Store provides customer services such as free wireless internet access, mobile charging stations, baby nursing room, and washrooms.

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