SPHERE
#39
2015
09
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storeys covering over 8,000 square feet.
The new store hosts over 8,300 unique
products from more than 840 healthcare
and beauty brands worldwide, of which
250 are exclusive to Watsons.
In addition to a small army of highly trained
retail staff, nine professionals – including
two pharmacists, one pharmacy dispenser,
three health and fitness advisors and three
beauty consultants – are at the ready to
serve customers. High-tech equipment can
conduct onsite ultrasound bone density
tests, and measure blood pressure and
body mass index.
A number of modern conveniences make
it ideal for visitors and showWatsons’
commitment to caring for customers. A
fully equipped and private nursing room
for mothers is provided. For people on the
move, it has a phone-charging station and
free Wi-Fi. In addition, the third floor has
a smartly designed history wall to connect
the modern Watsons to its long-standing
history.
ONWARDS AND UPWARDS!
While the 12,000th store is a Watsons,
ASW encompasses a range of outlets
from Hong Kong to Ireland to Russia
and Thailand. With 1,300 stores opened
this year, ASW is growing globally at an
astonishing speed – opening three new
stores per day. It is no surprise that the
retail group will hit another milestone
he milestone of 12,000 is
not only the number of ASW
stores stretching from Asia
to Europe, but also the rough
distance (in kilometres)
that merchants of yore would travel from
home to faraway lands and back again
on the old Silk Road. One young British
pharmacist, Alexander Skirving Watson
made that journey to join the company
that would bear his name. Now the firm
has grown all the way to his homeland
and all points along the way.
A S WATSON’S 12,000TH STORE IS ...
AWATSONS!
At the opening ceremony, Victor Li Tzar-
kuoi, Co-Managing Director and Deputy
Chairman of CK Hutchison, said, “It is a very
meaningful occasion for me to announce the
opening of our 12,000th store in this special
place, Hong Kong, our home!”
“We endured hand-in-hand with Hong
Kong people the Second World War, the
economic boom and the SARS recession.
Hong Kong has a special place in our
hearts. We will continue to invest in the
city,” Mr Li added.
MODERN PRACTICE,
TRADITIONAL CARE
Located at the heart of Hong Kong’s most
vibrant shopping area, Causeway Bay, the
new flagship is the retail group’s largest
Watsons store in Hong Kong, with three
T
next year when it celebrates its 175th
anniversary.
Currently, more than 28 million customers
are served every week through ASW’s
physical store network and via online
shopping. Hong Kong alone contributes five
million shoppers to the figure, with three
million people in its loyalty programme.
Customers on the Mainland also benefit
from a recent collaboration between
Watsons and Mainland China mobile
commerce giant, Tencent WeChat, to
expand its online domain. A team of digital
experts has formed eLab, a specialised
e-commerce team within ASW to serve
customers and accommodate the surging
demand for online shopping. A continued
focus on its physical stores, alongside an
ambitious e-shopping endeavour, will see
the retail group march on to further success,
making ASW the ultimate retailer serving
customers in all channels in the online-to-
offline era.
“A S Watson Group endeavours to bring
quality-assured products and services to
seven million Hong Kong people,” Dominic
Lai, ASWGroup Managing Director, said
at the opening ceremony. “In line with the
strategic direction of our parent company,
CK Hutchison, we will continue to expand
our business in Hong Kong and contribute to
the city’s prosperity.”
“Hong Kong has a special
place in our hearts.
We will continue to invest
in the city.”
Victor Li Tzar-kuoi,
Co-Managing Director and
Deputy Chairman of CK Hutchison
Left: An occasion for smiles - senior executives open the milestone outlet. (From left to right) Diane Cheung Wai-ping,
Watsons Hong Kong General Manager, Dominic Lai Kai-ming, ASW Group Managing Director, Victor Li Tzar-kuoi,
CK Hutchison’s Group Co-Managing Director and Deputy Chairman, Malina Ngai Man-ling, ASW Group Chief Operating
Officer and Man Cheung, Watsons Hong Kong Flagship Store Manager.
The new flagship Watsons:
An exemplar showcasing the growth of ASW!
