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The
Canton Dispensary, the forerunner of A.S.
Watson, opened in Guangzhou, China. |
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Established
the first soda-water factory in China
(one of the very first companies in the world
to
manufacture soda-water).
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Operations
extended to Hong Kong, the company
founded the Hong Kong Dispensary. |
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The
name A.S. Watson (after Alexander Skirving Watson
who joined the company as Manager in 1858) began
to feature prominently with the Hong Kong Dispensary. |
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The
Hong Kong dispensary became A.S. Watson
& Company. |
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Erected
the first factory in Hong Kong at 1-3 Stanley Street,
producing six flavours of beverages. |
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A.S.
Watson expanded overseas to the Philippines and
China; established a pharmacy and a soft drink factory
(1884) in Manila. |
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Certificate
of Incorporation of A.S. Watson & Co., Limited.
was issued on 19th January. |
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A.S. Watson operated 35 stores and produced about
300 dispensary, toiletry and perfumery lines. |
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Watson's
Water was established to provide pure water in Hong
Kong and Mainland China. |
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To
concentrate resources and energy, A.S. Watson closed
all branches in China and the Philippines. |
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The
Japanese invasion of China halted Watson's China
operations. |
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A.S.
Watson celebrated centenary just months before the
Japanese attack and the fall of Hong Kong on 13th
December. |
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A.S.
Watson resumed business on 1st September.
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Hutchison
Group acquired a controlling interest in A.S. Watson
& Co., Ltd. |
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Acquired
PARKnSHOP supermarkets from
Y.K. Lau. |
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Acquired
Peter Pan Toy Shops. Launched Mountain Cream ice-cream
products. |
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A.S.
Watson became a wholly owned subsidiary of Hutchison
Whampoa Limited with 75 retail food and non-food
outlets. |
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1987
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Watson's
The Chemist expanded to Taiwan, Macau and Singapore
(1988), Malaysia (1994), Thailand (1996), Philippines
(2002).
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Watson's
The Chemist reopened in China. |
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Fortress
joined the A.S. Watson Group. |
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Water
factory opened in Beijing. |
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Acquired Shanghai Sparkling Drinking Water. |
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Fortress
opened its first store in Taiwan. Watson's Wine
Cellar opened in Hong Kong. Nuance-Watson's retail
stores opened at Hong Kong International Airport.
The Group expanded water operations in Europe through
acquisitions. |
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A.S.
Watson sold ice-cream businesses in Shanghai, Guangzhou
and Hong Kong to the Unilever Group. |
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Acquired
Savers health & beauty retail chain in the UK.
Great Food Hall opened in Hong Kong. |
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Watson's
wine business expanded into Europe by acquiring
Swiss-based international wine wholesaler/distributor
Badaracco SA. |
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Acquired
Kruidvat Group in Europe, making ASW the world's
third largest health & beauty retailer. |
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Signed
agreement to sell European water operations to Nestle
Waters. |
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