In 1828, a small dispensary was formed with a great mission in mind - to provide free medical services to the poor people of the southern Chinese province of Guangdong (also known as Canton). This was the Canton Dispensary – the origin of A.S. Watson Group (ASW). Through decades of rapid expansion, ASW has evolved into a leading international health, beauty and lifestyle retailer, serving over 27 million customers a week across its 33 markets.
The Group has one of the world's largest portfolio of retail formats, retail brands and geographical presence. Proudly supported by a global family of 100,000 staff, the Group is also a member of the world renowned multinational conglomerate Hutchison Whampoa Limited, which has major interests in ports and related services; property and hotels; retail; infrastructure; energy and telecommunications in 52 countries.
- The world's largest health, beauty & lifestyle retailer with over 10,800 stores operating 20 retail brands in 33 markets worldwide
- Asia's largest health & beauty retailer with Watsons currently operating over 3,200 stores and more than 1,100 pharmacies in 11 Asian markets, including China (Mainland, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macau), Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines, Korea, Indonesia and Turkey
- Europe’s largest luxury perfumeries & cosmetics retailer with over 1,600 stores in 16 markets, operating under three retail brands, including Marionnaud, ICI Paris XL, and The Perfume Shop