AS Watson Group - A member of CK Hutchison Holdings

AS Watson Group Hong Kong Student Sports Awards Marks 20th Anniversary Recognising Nearly 17,400 Exceptional Student Athletes with Local Schools

Thu, 22 May 2025 00:19:06 +0000

Dr. Malina Ngai, Group CEO of AS Watson remarked that the Group’s steadfast dedication to advancing the development of student sports in Hong Kong over the past two decades.

Mr. So Wa Wai, a distinguished Hong Kong Disabled Athletic Athlete, and Ms. Cecilia Yeung Man Wai, the Record Holder of Hong Kong Women's High Jump, share their inspiring sports journeys.

This year's awards ceremony brought together over 2,000 audiences, including award-winning students, guests, parents, friends, and past awardees, uniting in a grand celebration.

To mark the 20th Anniversary of the AS Watson Group Hong Kong Student Sports Awards, the Physical Fitness Mobile Truck will be launched in June, visiting various campuses and communities. At the ceremony, student athlete representatives first tried out fitness challenges that will be available in the mobile truck.

Survey Result: AS Watson Group surveyed over 2,000 primary and secondary school students this February, to study the impact of sports on their mental health. The results reveal that exercising with others enhances personal life satisfaction.

The AS Watson Group Hong Kong Student Sports Awards (HKSSA), one of the largest athletic recognition programmes in Hong Kong, is commemorating its 20th anniversary this year. To celebrate this milestone, the 2024-2025 Award Presentation Ceremony was held at the Queen Elizabeth Stadium, themed "Together, We Cheer On," valuing the journey over the outcome and applauding students’ perseverance and determination. With the participation and support of nearly 90% of local schools, the HKSSA has established itself as a prestigious accolade. By honouring one sports talent from each participating school, the programme has recognised nearly 17,400 exceptional student athletes to date. This year, HKSSA is breaking previous records in school participation and student recognition, commending nearly 1,000 student athletes for their commitment to sports, inspiring them to boldly embrace challenges.

Dr. Malina Ngai, Group CEO of AS Watson said, "Over the past two decades, AS Watson Group has been steadfastly committed to promoting the development of student sports in Hong Kong, witnessing the vibrant growth of youth athletics. This year's awards ceremony, themed "Together, We Cheer On,” is dedicated to celebrating the relentless pursuit and determined spirit of every student athlete. Their hard work and dedication not only reflect personal growth but also bring new hope and vitality to the future of Hong Kong sports. Let us join together in applauding the future of Hong Kong sports and work hand in hand to create even greater excitement ahead."

Over the years, HKSSA has recognised many well-known local athletes and Hong Kong teams representatives, including Shek Wai Hung, Vivian Ma Wing Yu, Cecilia Yeung Man Wai, Jacky Luen Tsz Yu etc. Among the 993 awardees this year, comprising 530 male and 463 female, while many of them have proudly represented Hong Kong on the international stage. Notable achievers include Emma Cook, who clinched the Women's 9-10 age group championship at the Philippines UCI Asian BMX Championships and secured the first runner-up position in the Women's Division of the China GDL Downhill Series in 2023; Kam Tsz Hin, who claimed the bronze medal in the Men's 48kg Taekwondo category at the East Asian Youth Games; and Ying Hei Yin, who emerged victorious in the Snowshoe Race Walking 200m event at the 2025 Special Olympics World Winter Games.

Sports Icons Heartfelt Sharing and 20th Anniversary Surprises Unveiling
This year's ceremony was honoured to welcome guests including the "Wonder Kid," Mr. So Wa Wai, a distinguished Hong Kong Disabled Athletic Athlete, and the revered "Goddess of High Jump," Ms. Cecilia Yeung Man Wai, the Record Holder for Women's High Jump in Hong Kong. They shared their inspiring journeys with the awardees, encouraging them to believe in themselves and persevere in their dreams, even when faced with challenges along the way.

To commemorate this milestone, HKSSA proudly unveiled the upcoming launch of the "Physical Fitness" Mobile Truck set to debut in June. This mobile truck will tour campuses and communities, showcasing the athletic accomplishments and progress of past awardees. Featuring various fitness assessments, it will provide tailored sports recommendations based on students' potential, promoting an active lifestyle and inspiring individuals to embody the core ethos of athletes: the courage to challenge oneself and resilience in adversity. The initiative also encourages the public to continue supporting the development of young athletes. Additionally, professional photo shooting was arranged for all awardees. The portraits were exhibited during the ceremony and will be displayed on the forthcoming mobile truck, offering a glimpse into the athletes' confidence and determination. The portraits have also been uploaded to the HKSSA webpage: https://ssa.aswatson.com/.

HKSSA also meticulously organises an annual "Sports Exchange Tour" to provide selected awardees with valuable opportunities for sports and cultural exchange. This year, students will visit Malaysia, the traditional badminton country, where students will tour local sports training facilities, students and engage in exchanges with local athletes.

Survey Reveals: Exercising with Family & Friends Enhances Life Satisfaction
AS Watson Group conducted a survey in February, over 2,000 primary and secondary school students were interviewed to explore the impact of sports on mental health. The findings highlighted that playing sports with others significantly enhances personal life satisfaction, with an average life satisfaction index of 82.9, over 10 points higher than those who never exercise with others. Remarkably, among students who “regularly exercised with others”, nearly 85% agreed that exercise improves their social skills. More than 80% of them also acknowledged that exercise improves mental health and resilience to stress, showing a substantial 30% increase compared to those who exercised alone.

The overall survey shows the profound benefits that exercising together greatly enhances social skills, mental well-being, stress management, and overall life contentment. Therefore, we encourage everyone to actively cultivate exercise habits with family and friends, fostering a healthier and happier lifestyle.

Watsons Joins Forces with Customers to Offset 4,000 Tons of CO2 to Fight Against Climate Change

Tue, 22 Apr 2025 14:46:28 +0000

On Earth Day, Watsons, the flagship health and beauty brand of AS Watson, announces an expanded partnership with ClimatePartner to enhance its carbon compensation initiative. For every purchase of selected Watsons Sustainable Choice products, we aim to offset over 4,000 tons of CO2 emissions.

Inspiring Customers to Choose Wisely, Live Sustainably
To meet the growing customer demand for Sustainable Choices products, Watsons launched its carbon compensation initiative with ClimatePartner in 2023, initially featuring 7 product ranges. Now, this effort is expanding to include 30 product ranges, further advancing our unwavering commitment to sustainability. The initiative is launched at Watsons O+O (offline plus online) stores throughout Hong Kong, Malaysia, Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam, Indonesia, Turkey, and GCC markets.

Watsons is committed to offering more sustainable products while ensuring that every purchase makes a meaningful and impactful difference. In addition to ongoing reforestation efforts in Rimba Raya, Indonesia, Watsons is focusing on crucial afforestation in Dingxi, Mainland China — an area affected by desertification, droughts, and severe soil erosion. This initiative involves planting native tree species, selected for their resilience in semi-arid conditions, with the goal of transforming degraded farmland into thriving forests.

Beyond environmental benefits, the initiative creates employment opportunities for local residents in tree planting and forest maintenance, with a significant portion of roles filled by women, promoting gender equity and empowering local communities.

Since launch, the initiative has been well received by customers and has garnered positive feedbacks. Jason Hoh, a customer from Malaysia, shared, “I love shopping the Sustainable Choices products at Watsons as each purchase contributes to a healthier planet. It inspires me to live sustainably every day."

Chloe Wong, a customer from Hong Kong, said,“The QR code near the Sustainable Choices product display allows me find out about the carbon reduction process, showing how Watsons cares about its environmental footprint." Niran Channarong from Thailand added, "I choose products with sustainable packaging because I want my grandchildren to inherit a cleaner planet. Every small choice makes a difference."

Inspiring customers to choose Sustainable Choices products is a vital step towards combating climate change and preserving the biodiversity that sustains us all. Together, we can create a ripple effect of positive change, shaping a brighter, greener future for generations to come. This Earth Day marks another significant milestone in Watsons’ journey toward climate action, empowering customers to Look Good. Do Good. Feel Great.

AS Watson Strengthens Its Position as a Leading International Retailer

Thu, 10 Apr 2025 13:29:26 +0000

AS Watson, the world’s largest international health and beauty retailer, proudly announces its exceptional performance in the recently released Global Powers of Retailing 2025 report by Deloitte. Rising to 52nd place among the world’s top 250 retailers - up three positions from the previous report – AS Watson solidifies its standing as a trailblaser in the global retail landscape.

As the only international health & beauty retailer headquartered in Hong Kong to make the prestigious list, AS Watson underscores its unique position as a global powerhouse. According to the report, among the top 100 retailers worldwide, 3 companies are based in Hong Kong SAR, China and AS Watson is honored to be part of this elite group. Furthermore, AS Watson joins an exclusive cohort of 18 retailers with operations spanning more than 25 markets, reflecting its robust global footprint and commitment to serving diverse markets.

“We are honored to represent Hong Kong on the global retail stage, much like how Hong Kong’s athletes shine in international competitions,” said Dr. Malina Ngai, Group CEO of AS Watson. “In today’s dynamic economic environment, where consumer behaviors are constantly evolving and technological advancements are reshaping industries, retailers must demonstrate the same resilience, adaptability, and innovative spirit that define world-class athletes to remain at the top of their game.”

The recognition in the Global Powers of Retailing 2025 report highlights AS Watson’s relentless focus on operational excellence, customer-centric strategies, and sustainable growth. With operations in 30 markets and a rapidly growing network of O+O stores, AS Watson remains at the forefront of the retail industry. AS Watson recently hosted the Global Supplier Conference, bringing together CEOs and senior leaders from leading health and beauty manufacturing companies worldwide. This extraordinary event in Hong Kong marked the kickoff of AS Watson's 185th anniversary, celebrating a legacy of innovation and achievement.

As AS Watson continues to stay in the lead globally, its commitment to innovation, sustainability, and community impact remains unwavering. The company’s diverse and dynamic portfolio of brands ensures that it stays ahead of evolving consumer trends and strengthens its position in the international marketplace.

CK Hutchison’s Audited Results for the Year Ended 31 December 2024 (in PDF)

Thu, 20 Mar 2025 16:55:31 +0000

CK Hutchison’s Audited Results for the Year Ended 31 December 2024 (in PDF)

View PDF

AS Watson Group Appoints Clarice Au as the CEO of Retail Hong Kong, AS Watson

Tue, 04 Feb 2025 09:10:19 +0000

AS Watson Group announced the appointment of Clarice Au as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Retail Hong Kong, AS Watson. In her new role, she will be responsible for overseeing the management of our four diverse retail businesses in Hong Kong, namely Watsons, PARKnSHOP, Fortress and Watson’s Wine.

"With over 20 years of extensive management experience at AS Watson, Clarice has consistently demonstrated remarkable leadership. She has been instrumental in driving digital transformation and advancing the growth of both the Fortress retail chain and the MoneyBack multi-brand loyalty programme. I am excited to have her expertise guiding our retail businesses in Hong Kong into the future," said Dr. Malina Ngai, Group CEO of AS Watson.

Clarice expressed her excitement for this new role, “I am deeply honoured to take on the role of CEO of Retail Hong Kong at AS Watson. Since joining the company in 1998, I’ve had the privilege of working across diverse business areas, from airport retail to leading the Fortress team and, more recently, overseeing the MoneyBack loyalty programme. These experiences have shaped my passion for delivering exceptional customer experiences and fostering innovation.”

“Looking ahead, my priority will be to build on our strong business foundation while harnessing the talents of our combined teams, as well as close collaboration with our business partners to elevate the customer experience across our network of over 500 O+O stores. As Hong Kong's retail landscape evolves rapidly, it is essential for us to remain agile and continuously embrace transformation to seize new opportunities and stay ahead."

The appointment is effective from 1 March 2025.

Watsons Continues its Expansion in GCC with the Opening of its New Flagship Store in Bahrain

Mon, 30 Dec 2024 09:45:58 +0000

AS Watson Group and Al-Futtaim Group jointly announce the opening of Watsons' new flagship store at City Centre Bahrain Mall, signifying the Watsons’ entry into a new market alongside the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) and Qatar. This also marks the third store opening in three months in Bahrain, strengthening its presence across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

Strategic Market, Huge Potential
Bahrain is one of the six countries of the GCC, presenting a dynamic and potential market with a surging demand for health and beauty products, driven by a predominantly young population – over two-thirds of Bahrainis are under the age of 35 – who are pursuing high-quality products. Increased awareness of beauty trends, influenced by social media and lifestyle shifts, has led customers to greater spending on personal grooming.

As a trusted beauty expert, Watsons is well-positioned to bring world-class brands and products that meet their needs, ensuring a seamless O+O (Offline plus Online) customer experience while celebrating and enhancing Arabic beauty. With a projected market growth of USD38.8 million at a compound annual growth rate of 5% from 2024 to 2029, Bahrain presents an exciting opportunity for Watsons as part of its expansion strategy.

Dr. Malina Ngai, Group CEO of AS Watson Group, expressed her excitement about this milestone, “The expansion of Watsons health and beauty retail experience into Bahrain is an important milestone in our commitment in the GCC region. Just as important, this new flagship store further strengthens our partnership with Al-Futtaim Group to serve customers in this vibrant region where high-quality beauty and health products are increasingly in demand.”

Mr. Simon Naga, Vice President of Al-Futtaim Group, emphasised the strategic importance of this expansion, “The opening of our flagship Watsons store in Bahrain is a testament to our commitment to enhancing customer experiences across the region. As we continue to expand our footprint in the GCC market, we focus on delivering innovative retail solutions that meet the evolving needs of consumers.”

Watsons is “Where Beauty Comes to Shine”
The 200-square-meter flagship store leverages Bahrain's strategic location in the Gulf, showcasing over 200 local and international brands across meticulously designed zones. Key areas include the innovative Derma Zone, which features internationally-renowned products alongside personalised skincare recommendations, and the enticing Skincare Zone, where customers can explore popular K-beauty and J-beauty brands. Additionally, the store includes a chic Makeup Zone and Sustainable Zone, each thoughtfully tailored to meet a diverse range of customer needs.

As Watsons continues to expand, it remains committed to delivering exceptional customer experiences and high-quality products that empower customers to Look Good, Do Good, and Feel Great.

Watsons Celebrates the Launch of its 600th Store in the Greater Bay Area and Watsons China’s 35th Anniversary

Thu, 12 Dec 2024 09:00:52 +0000

As Asia's No. 1 health and beauty brand, Watsons announces the launch of its 600th store in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), coinciding with Watsons China’s 35th anniversary. The store, located in Longgang Wanda Plaza, Shenzhen, is a health concept store and features a unique design with vibrant runways that reflect Watsons' commitment to health. The store features multiple specialised areas, offering a comprehensive range of health products to customers.

A Legacy of 183 Years : Our Purpose Endures
With a rich history spanning 183 years, Watsons began its journey as the “Canton Dispensary”, in Shamian, Guangzhou in 1828, dedicated to passionately serving local customers. It relocated to Hong Kong in 1841 and established the “Hong Kong Dispensary”, becoming the first pharmacy in Hong Kong to offer Western medicines. Throughout its history, Watsons has always prioritised community health and well-being, including offering free medicines to those in need.

Watsons has continuously expanded its business and developed the Mainland China market in 1989, staying true to its core values of servicing the people in need. Despite evolving through two centuries, Watsons remains committed to putting customers first and caring for the community. Today, it stands as a trusted brand known for its commitment to excellent customer service.

Dr. Malina Ngai, Group CEO of AS Watson, said, “Over the past 180 years, Watsons has grown from Guangdong to a global presence with over 8,000 stores across Asia. We have navigated numerous challenges and celebrated many achievements along the way. The opening of our 600th store in GBA not only marks our significant growth but also reflects our deep connection with our customers. Our loyalty membership programme connects all cities within the GBA, offering seamless cross-border shopping experiences and membership benefits. This milestone highlights our confidence in future opportunities in GBA, and we remain committed to innovating and adapting to meet our customers' evolving needs.”

Heritage and Innovation: A Commitment to Excellence
Watsons has upheld its heritage of care and continues to support its community and fulfill its promise to customers by offering diverse, high-quality products while becoming an essential part of their lives.

To meet customers’ evolving needs, Watsons has embraced innovation by launching a seamless O+O shopping experience and introducing over 4,000 new products each year in GBA. Popular categories among customers in Hong Kong and Macau include healthcare, skincare, and daily necessities, while customers from Mainland China favour derma skincare, hair care, and colour cosmetics. When shopping cross-border, Hong Kong customers often look for skincare, derma skincare and oral care products, whereas Mainland China customers frequently shop for healthcare products.

Looking ahead, business expansion in GBA and Mainland China remains Watsons' core strategy. Backed by robust growth opportunities, Watsons is committed to further investing in GBA to enhance customer service and deliver an exceptional O+O shopping experience.

AS Watson Boosts Global Expansion by Unveiling its 16,800th Store Worldwide

Mon, 02 Dec 2024 19:25:18 +0000

AS Watson announced the grand opening of its 16,800th store worldwide, further consolidating its position as the world’s largest international health and beauty retailer, with a portfolio of 12 brands operating across 29 markets. This store was opened in Rotterdam, marking a remarkable milestone in AS Watson’s ongoing expansion and its commitment to delivering a seamless and exceptional O+O (Offline plus Online) customer experience.

Dr. Malina Ngai, Group CEO of AS Watson , expressed her excitement at the store opening ceremony, “The opening of our 16,800th store represents more than our growth as a company - it symbolises our commitment to serving the communities worldwide. With every store we open, we create jobs, foster customer relationships, and build lasting trust.”

“16,800 is a number with special meaning in Chinese culture. The number 6 symbolises ‘everything goes smoothly’ while 8 represents ‘good fortune’. We embrace the special meaning of this milestone and look forward to a future of lasting success and prosperity, not only for our business growth but also in extending these best wishes for a brighter future for the world during this festive Christmas season,” Malina added.

Commitment to Continuous Growth
Ed van de Weerd, CEO of AS Watson Benelux, remarked, "We’re honoured that AS Watson’s 16,800th store worldwide opens in vibrant Rotterdam, demonstrating AS Watson’s steadfast commitment to growth in the Benelux region and globally. As the No. 1 health and beauty retailer in the Netherlands, Kruidvat serves its customers with nearly 1,000 O+O stores and over 24,000 passionate colleagues, and has become an integral part of many Dutch people’s lives.”

The brand-new store will serve over 11,000 customers every week. As one of the largest Kruidvat stores, it spans over 770 square meters and is designed to enhance O+O shopping experience with clear in-store navigation. The store offers an extensive assortment of over 36,000 products, making it the largest selection among all Kruidvat stores.

The newly upgraded Kruidvat app delivers personalised offers and health advice to customers, enabling them to effortlessly manage their shopping lists and track their points balance, ensuring they always get the best deals. Additionally, the app's streamlined checkout process enhances convenience with click-and-collect options.

Looking ahead, AS Watson remains committed to innovation and excellence in customer experience, and will continue its growth journey with the purpose of putting a smile on the customers’ faces today and tomorrow.

Watson’s Wine Leads the Way in Price Reduction after the Government’s Liquor Tax Cuts

Wed, 27 Nov 2024 15:20:05 +0000

Watson's Wine, the leading specialised wine & spirits retailer in Hong Kong, announces its support for the government’s initiative to reduce duty rates on high-end liquor products, in alignment with the economic growth agenda published in the 2024 Policy Address.

Premium Spirits at New Competitive Prices
Effective immediately, Watson's Wine will roll out price cuts on a large range of carefully curated premium spirits, making world-class spirits more accessible to Hong Kong connoisseurs. Customers can enjoy savings on over 100 premium spirits priced above HK$1,000, regardless of whether the importers have already adjusted their prices (see Appendix). These price cuts apply to popular spirit brands like Cognac Tesseron, Macallan and Martell, with some reductions exceeding 20% and selected item reaching as high as nearly 60%. Through Watson’s Wine's network of trusted suppliers from reputable sources, customers can enjoy exceptional premium spirits at reduced prices.

Exciting Opportunities from New Spirit Store Format
In response to the favourable policy change on liquor, Watson's Wine will launch a dedicated premium spirits concept store format in 2025. This new concept will showcase an expansive array of fine spirits from rare whisky to artisanal Cognac, offering customers an unparalleled shopping venture with emerging categories like Chinese spirits.

Watson’s Wine has the ambition to grow the market share in spirits category by 25% in the next 3 years, and also leverage the vibrant space to create immersive customer experience for spirit-lovers like expert-led tastings, out-of-the-box culinary pairings, and sommelier masterclasses that will blend Cognac and whisky from the West with Chinese spirits from the East, where diverse traditions and craftsmanship converge.

Jeremy Stockman, Managing Director of Watson's Wine is excited about the change in liquor duty, "Watson’s Wine welcomes the government’s latest policy on spirits and firmly believes that this duty reduction will greatly benefit our customers and the industry at large. Through price reductions and investments in new spirits retail concept, together with the industry Watson’s Wine will help establish Hong Kong as a hub for high-end liquor."

The spirit flagship store will look to attract liquor connoisseurs and prospective large-order buyers looking to taste test from a wide selection of distinct and high-quality liquor from around the world.

Marionnaud Group Announces Strategic Reorganisation

Fri, 15 Nov 2024 15:50:07 +0000

Marionnaud Group today announced an organisational transformation, aimed at strengthening its position as a leading luxury beauty retailer in Europe. The reorganisation marks a strategic shift from a market-based management structure to an integrated, unified team model across all markets.

Under the leadership of Kulvinder Birring, who was appointed as CEO of Marionnaud Group in April, the company is implementing key changes to drive customer-centric operations and accelerate growth. The new structure will enable seamless integration across all markets, with functional expert teams providing leadership throughout all regions.

As part of this transformation, Emilio Leon has been appointed as Sales Operations Director of Marionnaud Group, transitioned from his previous role as Managing Director of Marionnaud Switzerland and Austria. In this new position, he will oversee and harmonise sales operations across all markets. Tatiana Anton has been appointed Shared Services Director of Marionnaud Group, relinquishing her previous role as General Manager of Marionnaud Central Europe. Tatiana will be responsible for managing shared services across all markets, focusing on implementing integrated, data-driven business solutions.

The Group extends its gratitude to Gabriele Betti, Deputy CEO of Marionnaud Group and Arianna Di Prospero, General Manager of Marionnaud Italy as they transition to new chapters in their careers. Their invaluable contributions have helped shape Marionnaud's success, and the company wishes them the very best in their future endeavours.