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 180 Years of Love.
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
1841
Hong Kong is opened as a free port.
The Hong Kong Dispensary is founded in Hong Kong.
1858
Alexander Skirving Watson, a British pharmacist, joins the company as Manager.
1869
Hong Kong Dispensary is appointed the chemist of the Hong Kong Governor and the Duke of Edinburgh.
1870s
AS Watson sets up scholarship to support local medical school. Dr Sun Yat–sen, the renowned politician and revolutionist in China, is also one of the beneficiaries under the scholarship scheme.
1871
The Hong Kong Dispensary begins trading under the name AS Watson & Company.
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 just before the Japanese force attack on 13th December.
Hong Kong is occupied by Japan on 25 December 1941, starting the “3 years 8 months” Japanese occupation era.
1972
The Cross-Harbour Tunnel, the first underwater tunnel in HK, is opened.
AS Watson establishes PARKnSHOP supermarkets.
1981
AS Watson becomes a fully-owned subsidiary of Hutchison Group (forerunner of CK Hutchison Holdings Limited). At the time we have 75 stores.
1980s-1990s
Watsons expands to Taiwan, Macau, Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand. It also reopens in China in 1989.
1990
FORTRESS joins the AS Watson Group.
1998
Hong Kong International Airport opens at Chek Lap Kok on Lantau Island.
2000
AS Watson enters European market by acquiring the Savers health & beauty retail chain in the UK.
2002
The Tseung Kwan O MTR line begins operating.
AS Watson acquires the Dutch-based Kruidvat Group, adding famous European brands into the portfolio, including health and beauty retailer Superdrug, Trekpleister, Rossmann and luxury perfumery ICI Paris XL. Watsons Water launches its signature bottle design
2003
Watsons Water celebrates its 100th anniversary of purity & persistence.
2006
Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index rises above 20,000 mark for the first time ever.
2007
AS Watson launches MoneyBack loyalty programme in Hong Kong.
2008
Hong Kong hosts 2008 Beijing Olympics and Paralympics Equestrian events.
2010
Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examination is discontinued.
Watsons membership card reaches 15 million members in Asia.
2012
Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) is held for the first time; last HK A-Level exams for school candidates.
Watsons undergoes a major rebranding exercise to modernize the customer experience.
2013
AS Watson opens its 10,000th store worldwide.
Sarah Lee Wai-sze, HK racing cyclist, wins the gold medal in the women's 500m time-trial at the UCI World Track Championships, being Hong Kong’s first-ever gold woman medalist in world cycling competition.
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.
2020
Watsons expands to United Arab Emirates, Middle East
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.
Watson enters Saudi Arabia, Middle East
2022
Watsons opens its first store in Qatar, Middle East.
2023
AS Watson Group refreshes its brand and launches Brand Circle.
AS Watson Group launches 3 new sustainability pillars.
