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Tag: watson

  • Shiseido and AS Watson co-create skincare Beauty Line

    Shiseido and AS Watson co-create skincare Beauty Line

    Global cosmetics company Shiseido and AS Watson, the health & beauty retailer, have collaborated to co-create an exclusive derma skincare range under the “D Program” brand.

    The new Urban Damage Care range has been successfully launched in Thailand and Taiwan and will soon be launched in other Asian markets with Watsons stores.

    The collaboration is in response to a 24-per-cent growth in the derma skincare category in Asia since 2014. As more women are looking for effective derma skincare products, the online search for related topics grew by 117 per cent compared to last year.

    “AS Watson is the largest health and beauty retailer in the world that acts with speed, innovation and vision making them the perfect retailer to bring Urban Damage Care to the high street,” said Shiseido president and CEO Masahiko Uotani.

    “With AS Watson’s extensive distribution network and customer insight of the derma cosmetics category and Shiseido’s expertise in R&D and innovation, this has enabled us to co-create a range that supports our core values of putting the customers’ needs first while ensuring that it is accessible to customers.”

    The project kicked off with customer survey on a selected panel of Watsons members after Watson’s COO Malina Ngai visited Shiseido headquarters in Tokyo 18 months ago.

    “Combined with Shiseido’s 40 years of sensitive skin research and product development technology, we collaborated to develop the range that we believe will be best suitable for modern Asian females to improve their skin to defend against urban pollution,” she said.

    Following positive feedback from customers, “D Program” will be launched in China on 11 April.

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  • A.S. Watson Group Opens its Worldwide 15,000th Storein Kuala Lumpur

    A.S. Watson Group Opens its Worldwide 15,000th Storein Kuala Lumpur

    The world’s largest and fastest growing international health & beauty retailer A.S. Watson Group celebrates an important milestone today as it opens its 15,000th store.

    Growth Continues at Record Rate

    For the fourth year in a row, A.S. Watson’s new store opening continues to be at an average speed of one store every seven hours across its 25 markets in Asia and Europe.

    The worldwide 15,000th store opening of A.S. Watson coincides with its 500th store opening of Watsons in Malaysia, one of the fastest growing countries for beauty and wellness products. Watsons is the flagship retail brand of A.S. Watson with over 7,200 stores in 13 markets in Asia and Eastern Europe.

    The new store is located in Central i-City, a new shopping mall in Malaysia, and it uses technology to enhance customer experience and connect offline and online. The 4,200 square-feet G8 design store is equipped with StyleMe, AR (Augmented Reality) technology, to showcase the latest fashionable product, in a fun and engaging way for customers. Watsons’ Hi Mirror skin analysis device is also available for customers to assess their skin conditions at the store. G8 represents the 8th Generation of the Watsons store design incorporating extensive customer and store team feedback, as well as market research of latest trends on shopping experience.  It will roll out across the region in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam and Turkey later this year.

    O+O Strategy – Strengthening Customer Connectivity Online and Offline

    Mr Dominic Lai, Group Managing Director of A.S. Watson Group is very excited at the celebration event of this important milestone, “The continued success of our business is about customer connectivity – our ability to connect customers with products, trends and experience they want in beauty, personal care, health and wellness. Our O+O (Online and Offline) strategy focuses on providing an extensive store network, excellent in-store customer service, most relevant health and beauty assortment, combined with seamless digital experience and loyalty schemes that help to put smiles on customers’ faces.”

    Globally A.S. Watson has over 135 million loyalty members and has been investing HK$1 billion (approx.US$128 million) in digital since 2012 to enhance customer experience and enable the business to build data-driven approach to stay closer to customers’ needs.

    A Thankful Celebration

    Mr Lai continues, “We are one of the longest standing companies in the world with 178 years of history.  To be able to reach yet another critical milestone, this is only possible with the love from our customers, passion and commitment from our 140,000 colleagues around the world, and the unfailing support from our business partners.”

    From one dispensary in Hong Kong to 15,000 stores worldwide, A.S. Watson has built close relationship with customers and a strong team of 140,000 colleagues.  The celebration activities in every market will be about thanking customers and showing appreciation to colleagues.  There will be campaigns in every market to celebrate, including member-exclusive benefits and special offers, both offline and online.

  • Chinese internet giants bidding on AS Watson

    Chinese internet giants bidding on AS Watson

    Two Chinese internet giants are reportedly evaluating separate bids for a stake in global retailer AS Watson.

    As earlier reported by usg, Singapore sovereign wealth fund Temasek is working with an advisor on options for selling part of its stake in the Hong Kong-headquartered company. The latest reports suggest Temasek is looking to sell a 10 per cent holding for around US$3 billion, which would represent a healthy financial gain on its 2014 investment, when it paid $5.6 billion for 25 per cent stake. Tencent Holdings is considering a bid in partnership with some investment funds.

    Tencent’s rival Alibaba Group has already expressed an interest, although again, this has not been formally confirmed by the company. Temasek is declining any public comment on the prospective buyers have been invited to make presentations this month.

    However the news organisation’s sources have cautioned that Temasek may ultimately opt to retain its stakeholding and there are suggestions that “differences in valuation expectations could make reaching a deal difficult”.

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  • Watson and L’Oréal’s ModiFace drive retail innovation with the launch of virtual makeup try-on service

    Watson and L’Oréal’s ModiFace drive retail innovation with the launch of virtual makeup try-on service

    L’Oréal’s AI and AR company ModiFace and A.S. Watson Group (“ASW”) announce the launch of the virtual makeup try-on #ColourMe, making ModiFace’s industry-leading AR technology available to consumers across Asia on mobile.

    #ColourMe, launching in March, is a virtual try-on service which will be available on Watsons mobile apps providing shoppers with the opportunity to virtually try on 300 makeup products including lipsticks, mascara, eyeshadow, brow colouring and foundation. Users will also be able to try on recommended trend looks, create and save their own look creations, as well as capture photos and videos of their makeup. Products associated with each look can be delivered to the shopper’s home or collected from a local Watsons store as quickly as four hours.

    The technology will roll out with L’Oréal Paris and Maybelline brands in the first phase of the launch, and it will be available exclusively in e-commerce mobile apps of Watsons Malaysia, Taiwan, Thailand and Singapore. ASW will consider extending the collaboration to other brands and markets across its portfolio in Asia and Europe in the future.

    Malina Ngai, A.S. Watson Group Chief Operating Officer is excited about the new digital experience created with the support of L’Oréal, “Customers are at the heart of all our innovations. We strive to create bespoke online and offline experiences that add value for their lifestyle. We have a shared vision with L’Oréal in driving digital leadership in beauty, and we discussed about creating the exclusive experience since the second half of last year utilizing ModiFace’s technology. Together we will transform the way beauty lovers discover and experience makeup and a one-stop shopping experience on our mobile app.”

    Alexis Perakis-Valat, President of L’Oréal’s Consumer Products Division, says, “Digital technologies are about to revolutionize retail, making shopping more entertaining, easy and personalized. We want to be a driving force of this transformation and so does A.S. Watson who is a long-standing and trusted retail partner for us. This is why we are thrilled to launch the virtual makeup try-on #ColourMe powered by our own beauty AR and AI company Modiface. This technology offers consumers a unique way to discover and enjoy makeup and will allow us to further reinvent the beauty experience in the future”.

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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.”

  • Central Watson refreshing brand for birthday

    Central Watson refreshing brand for birthday

    Health-and-beauty store chain Central Watson plans to spend about THB100 million (US$3 million) this year on a “brand refreshment” as part of celebrating its 21st anniversary in Thailand.

    It aims to modernise the stores with colourful formats as well as streamline its online shopping platform.

    Part of the budget will go toward increasing digitised communication with customers, enhancing the e-commerce platform and introducing mobile apps, says MD Rod Routley.

    He says Watson customers who use multiple screens to connect with the company are starting to outnumber customers who are not digitally connected.

    Home delivery for online buyers tripled in growth last year, says Routley.

    The facelift for all formats is aimed at improving customer experience and boosting access both online and at retail outlets.

    Watson will also invest in promotion through advertising in a range of media, including out-of-home ads.
    The budget is part of the total THB500 million Watson has earmarked for business expansion this year, which is to be geared toward opening stores, developing e-commerce and investing in its own brand development.

    Central Watson has 430 stores nationwide, and the investment is expected to boost this to 467 by year-end.

  • Watson group planning new shops

    Watson group planning new shops

    The A.S. Watson Group plans to open 1,400 new outlets globally this year – 60 shops will be in Hong Kong – but it will not expand the electricity group Fortress, says chief operating officer Malina Ngai Man-lin.

    The group doesn’t have a plan for an initial public offering for the moment, Lai added.

    Watson plans to invest HK$500 million in the next three years to improve its technology platform as well as enhance big data analysis.

    Managing director Dominic Lai Kai-ming said MoneyBack, a member reward program under the Watson Group, has been rebranded with a new mobile app, which allows member to manage their accounts more conveniently.

    The scheme has rewarded points with a value equivalent to HK$800 million to their members since the establishment in 2007.

    Meanwhile, Hong Kong retail sales growth turned positive in May, up 1.8 percent year-on-year, said a Mastercard report.

    The increase in grocery sales and the health and beauty sector were the strongest. Groceries were up 2.3 percent and health 5 percent, driven mainly by domestic consumption.

    Jewelry sales fell 44 percent in May, which was below the 2013 level. “Discretionary sectors historically driven by tourist spending continue to be a drag, despite stabilization and some recovery in visitor arrivals in recent months,” the group said.

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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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  • Watson to open more stores in Indonesia

    Watson to open more stores in Indonesia

    Watson Indonesia’s debut on the Indonesian Stock Exchange (IDX) has marked a new chapter in the company’s expansion journey to a wider market base.

    Duta Intidaya, the sole franchisee of Hong Kong-based personal care retail chain AS Watsons Group, made the decision to go public to finance its aggressive expansion plans to match Watson’s operations in neighboring countries.

    There are more than 100 Watson stores in Singapore and over 400 in the Philippines, but only 47 in
    Indonesia, even though the latter is the largest economy in Southeast Asia.

    The company plans to open 15 to 20 Watson stores this year, using 65 percent of the proceeds from its initial public offering (IPO), which stood at Rp 86.05 billion (US$6.49 million). The remaining 35 percent of the IPO funds will be used to repay the firm’s debt to lender HSBC.

    The new stores will be located in big city malls and at a stand-alone store in Bali. Each store takes roughly Rp 1 billion to set up. Three new outlets have been set up in Jakarta as of now.

    They are expected to boost Watson’s presence and help the company compete with other personal care retail chains, like local Pharos Group’s Century Healthcare and Hero Group’s Guardian. Century has over 200 stores right now, while Guardian has more than 100 stores.

    “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 said in a press conference.

    The company offers various beauty products, personal care and health and general merchandise products, of which less than 10 percent are imported.

    He acknowledged that growth had been slow in the past. It opened its first store in 2006, but only started to expand aggressively in 2013 and 2014 with around 30 stores opening up during the period. At present, it has set up as many as 47 stores in Java.

    Duta Intidaya took three years to prepare for the IPO by opening more stores, which eventually increased costs for rent, staff recruitment and store renovations.

    The rising costs led the firm to suffer Rp 35 billion in net losses last year, even though its revenues grew 17.7 percent to Rp 192 billion from 2014. The growth rate in revenue was higher than the 18 percent rate the retail industry posted, according to marketing research firm Nielsen.

    “We believe we will get payback from the investments. The retail industry is more like a marathon than a sprint. The more stores opened up, the more growth reaped in the long run,” Sukarnen said.

    He refused to provide details on its bottom line target, but added that it eyed 20 percent growth in revenues this year.

    In the long run, the company hopes to open up 15 to 20 stores every year and launch an online shop in early 2017. Online sales of its products are currently only available through the webmarket Lazada. Developments in the online market are expected to generate at least half of total sales by 2020.

    Meanwhile, Duta Intidaya’s shares ended at Rp 189 apiece on Tuesday, 5 percent higher than the IPO price of Rp 180 per share. It reached a peak of Rp 213 per share within the first hour of trading.

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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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  • Watsons Taiwan eyes 600 shops

    Watsons Taiwan eyes 600 shops

    Taiwan’s largest cosmetics and medicines retailer, Watson’s Private Care Shops, has opened its 500th retailer.

    And the chain says one other 100 are deliberate for opening inside the subsequent two years.

    The 500th retailer, that includes what Watsons Taiwan describes as a brand new era design, opened within the Taipei suburb of Ximending.

    “We have now improved our retailer segmentation technique to satisfy demand from clients in several areas,” MD Toby Anderson stated throughout a press convention to mark the opening.

    Apart from increasing the Taiwan retailer community, Hong Kong-headquarted Watsons is refurbishing and upgarding its present community with 100 shops revamped final yr and an extra 100 renovations deliberate for 2015.

    Watsons operates cosmetics shops in 12 nations and territories in Asia and Europe nevertheless it sees Taiwan a testbed for innovation.

    “Taiwan has a mature retail market with refined shopper conduct, which makes it a fantastic place for innovation,” Anderson stated.

    That’s why the corporate is trialling a brand new Era Y idea retailer in Taiwan, with skincare and cosmetics aimed toward style aware youthful consumers. After the preliminary success of a trial retailer in Taiwan, two Era Y shops at the moment are deliberate for trial in Shanghai later this yr.

    The corporate can also be constructing a robust on-line presence in Taiwan with 6 million registered customers and greater than 650,000 downloads of its cellular purchasing app.

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