From the humble beginning as a local dispensary to the world’s largest international health and beauty retailer, AS Watson Group has been putting a smile on our customers’ faces since 1841.
As one of the longest-standing retailers, AS Watson witnessed changes in retail over the past 180 years, but what remains unchanged is the spirit of putting customers right at the centre of our business, and the love to everyone we touch.
This spirit is deeply rooted in our culture and you are invited to take a journey through our history.
Read more about Our History.
Read More:
Special Feature about Our History
The story of AS Watson:
from a Hong Kong pharmacy to world’s largest health and beauty group
1828
The Canton Dispensary* is established - marking the roots of our company. It provides free medical consultations and western medicines to those in need in Guangdong Province. Although records from this time are limited, this is the first step in our journey.
1841
Hong Kong is opened as a free port.
The Hong Kong Dispensary* is officially founded. This is recognised as the official beginning of AS Watson Group, as verified by historical documents.
1856
Dr. Thomas Boswell Watson arrives Hong Kong and joins The Hong Kong Dispensary.
1858
Alexander Skirving Watson, a British pharmacist and nephew of Dr. Thomas Boswell Watson, joins the company as Manager.
1869
The Hong Kong Dispensary is appointed the chemist of the Hong Kong Governor and the Duke of Edinburgh.
1871
The Hong Kong Dispensary begins trading under the name AS Watson & Company.
1880s
AS Watson sets up scholarship to support local medical school. Dr. Sun Yat-sen is admitted to Hong Kong College of Medicine which is under Alice Memorial Hospital, and graduated with first place. Due to his excellent medical skills and outstanding results, he becomes one of the beneficiaries of the scholarship scheme.
1886
AS Watson becomes the fifteenth company registered on Hong Kong Company Registry
1900s
Hong Kong Dispensary in Queen’s Road Central near D’Aguilar Street.
1903
Watsons Water is established to provide pure water in Hong Kong and Mainland China.
1941
AS Watson celebrates its centenary just before the Japanese force attack on 13th December.
1940s
AS Watson Factory in Kowloon.
1950s
AS Watson Factory at Watson Road, North Point. Watson Road, named after AS Watson & Co., remains in use today.
1965
AS Watson beverage warehouse in Kowloon.
1971
AS Watson Building at Watson Road, North Point.
1972
AS Watson establishes PARKnSHOP supermarkets.
1977
Watson Centre in Kwai Chung, commences operations as a modern facility for beverage production.
1981
AS Watson becomes a fully-owned subsidiary of Hutchison Group (forerunner of CK Hutchison Holdings Limited). At the time we have 75 stores.
1987
Watsons expands to Taiwan.
1988
Watsons expands to Macau.
1988
Watsons expands to Singapore.
1989
Watsons reopens in Mainland China.
1990
Fortress joins the AS Watson Group.
1993
Watsons Water Centre is established in Taipo.
1994
Watsons expands to Malaysia.
1995
Watsons Water extends its operation in Mainland China and establishes a factory in Guangzhou.
1996
Watsons expands to Thailand.
1998
Watson’s Wine opens its first store in Hong Kong.
2000
AS Watson enters European market by acquiring the Savers health & beauty retail chain in the UK.
2002
AS Watson acquires the Dutch-based Kruidvat Group, adding famous European brands into the portfolio, including health and beauty retailer Superdrug, Trekpleister, Drogas, Rossmann and luxury perfumery The Perfume Shop and ICI PARIS XL.
2002
Watsons expands to Philippines.
2003
Watsons Water celebrates its 100th anniversary of purity & persistence.
2005
Watsons expands to Turkey.
2006
Watsons expands to Indonesia.
2007
AS Watson launches MoneyBack loyalty programme in Hong Kong.
2010
Watsons membership card reaches 15 million members in Asia.
2012
Watsons undergoes a major rebranding exercise to modernise the customer experience.
2013
AS Watson opens its 10,000th store worldwide.
2014
Hutchison Whampoa Limited (forerunner of CK Hutchison) forms a strategic alliance with Temasek.
2015
AS Watson opens its 12,000th store worldwide in Causeway Bay, Hong Kong.
2016
AS Watson Group celebrates its 175th anniversary in 2016.
2019
Watsons expands to Vietnam.
2020
Watsons expands to United Arab Emirates
2020
Watsons members reach 100 million
2021
AS Watson celebrates its 180th Anniversary. We will continue to work tirelessly everyday to put a smile on more customers’ faces.
2021
Watson enters Saudi Arabia
2022
Watsons opens its first store in Qatar.
2023
AS Watson refreshes its brand and launches Brand Circle.
2023
AS Watson launches 3 new sustainability pillars.
2024
Watsons expands to Bahrain.
*While the origins of AS Watson trace back to the Canton Dispensary in 1828, official documentation of the company begins with the Hong Kong Dispensary in 1841.
