From humble beginnings in 1841 as the Hong Kong Dispensary, the city’s first provider of Western medicine, AS Watson Group has grown into the world’s largest international health and beauty retailer, putting a smile on our customers’ faces for over 180 years.
As one of the longest-standing retailers in Hong Kong - and possibly the world - AS Watson has witnessed the evolution of retail across generations. Yet one thing has never changed: our unwavering commitment to placing customers at the heart of everything we do, and spreading care and happiness to everyone we touch.
This spirit is deeply rooted in our culture. We invite you to take a journey through our rich history and discover how our legacy continues to shape the future.
Read more about Our History.
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Special Feature about Our History
The story of AS Watson:
from a Hong Kong pharmacy to world’s largest health and beauty group
1828
AS Watson Group’s journey began in Guangdong Province, Mainland China, with the establishment of the Canton Dispensary, which offered free Western medicine and medical services to those in need. Although records from that time are limited, this is recognised as the earliest origin of AS Watson Group
1841
AS Watson Group was founded in 1841 as the Hong Kong Dispensary, with its first store (then a simple thatched hut) located at “Possession Point” in Sheung Wan, now known as Possession Street. As the first dispensary in Hong Kong to offer Western medicine, it laid a strong foundation for our enduring commitment to health, wellbeing, and customer care
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
1883
The Canton Dispensary, forerunner of AS Watson, operated in Manila, the Philippines from the 1883 to 1912 at the old original chinatown on Escolta Road
1886
AS Watson becomes the fifteenth company registered on Hong Kong Company Registry
1903
Watsons Water is established to provide pure water in Hong Kong and Mainland China
1941
AS Watson celebrates its centenary
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 acquires PARKnSHOP supermarkets
1973
Registers as Watson’s The Chemist Limited, and starts to trade under this name
1977
Watson Centre in Kwai Chung, commences operations as a modern facility for beverage production
1981
AS Watson Group becomes a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hutchison Whampoa Limited (the forerunner of CK Hutchison Holdings Limited) with 75 retail food and non-food outlets
1987
Watsons expands to Taiwan
1988
Watsons expands to Singapore and Macau
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 reopens in the 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
2008
Watsons loyalty programme first launches in Taiwan and subsequently rolls out to other Asian markets
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 Holdings Limited) forms a strategic alliance with Temasek
2015
AS Watson opens its 12,000th store worldwide in Causeway Bay, Hong Kong
2019
Watsons expands to Vietnam
2020
Watsons expands to the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) with its first store opening in the United Arab Emirates (UAE)
2020
Watsons members reach 100 million
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
2024
AS Watson opens its 16,800th store worldwide in Rotterdam, the Netherlands
2025
AS Watson Industries opens its new smart factory for beverages in Foshan, Mainland China
