The Perfume Shop to join A.S. Watson Luxury Division

London (9 May 2006)

A.S. Watson has today announced that The Perfume Shop is to join their newly formed Luxury Division. Additionally it has been announced that Jeremy Seigal, Managing Director of The Perfume Shop will take over running the business following the co-founder and Chairman, Philip Newton's decision to leave the company.

The Perfume Shop will now become part of the A.S. Watson Luxury Division Europe, reporting to Hugues Witvoet, CEO for A.S. Watson Luxury Perfumeries and Cosmetics.

Jeremy Seigal will take over the day-to-day running of The Perfume Shop with immediate effect.

Since its foundation in 1991, The Perfume Shop has grown to a chain of 150 stores across the UK, Eire and Australia with sales in excess of £100m.

The Perfume Shop was acquired in August 2005 as part of A.S. Watson's acquisition of Merchant Retail plc.

Ian Wade, Group Managing Director of A.S. Watson, said, "Philip built The Perfume Shop, along with Jeremy Seigal and the management team into a profitable chain with potential beyond the UK. We thank Philip for bringing The Perfume Shop into the A.S. Watson family and what he has achieved for the business."

"The Perfume Shop is in the safe hands of Jeremy Seigal who knows the company and the team and has already made good links with other parts of the Group. We are committed to continue to strengthen and build The Perfume Shop in the UK and beyond," said Wade.

A. S. Watson is the world's largest health and beauty retailer, with operations in 36 markets and a network of 7,300 stores. In its luxury retail portfolio, A.S. Watson operates Europe's largest chain Marionnaud, one of Benelux's market leaders ICI PARIS XL, and The Perfume Shop in the UK.

For Information:
Julia Bolsom, Head of PR 01494 894041 / 07710 474699
jbolsom@the-perfume-shop.com

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