AS Watson, the world’s largest international health and beauty retailer, is strengthening its plastic-reduction ambition with an enhanced commitment under the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s Global Commitment 2030. The company is pledging to reduce virgin plastic in its own-brand packaging by 21% by 2030, using 2022 as the baseline year.
AS Watson, the world’s largest international health and beauty retailer, announces the kick-off of its 185th anniversary today, celebrating nearly two centuries of growth, resilience and reinvention.
AS Watson, the world’s largest international health and beauty retailer, celebrates its 185th anniversary - a journey from Hong Kong’s first western pharmacy to a global retail leader. This milestone also marks a major achievement in its “Give a Smile” campaign with Operation Smile: surpassing its goal of 10,000 free surgeries for children with cleft conditions ahead of schedule. AS Watson now sets a new target - 15,000 surgeries by 2030 - reaffirming its commitment to brighter futures for our next generation.
As the world’s leading health and beauty retailer serving billions of customers each year, AS Watson remains committed to delivering safe, high-quality products that meet customer needs and expectations. This commitment spans every stage of our Exclusive Brands journey—from sourcing and production to storage, distribution, and customer use. We continuously monitor engagement through our Customer Love Score and Social Listening to ensure we stay connected to what matters most.
Dr. Malina Ngai, Group CEO of AS Watson, has been named one of Fortune's Most Powerful Women in Asia 2025, ranking 6th on the list and standing out as the only retail leader among the top 10. The recognition was announced online earlier this month, and the award was formally presented to Ngai at the Fortune Innovation Forum gala dinner held in Kuala Lumpur last night.
AS Watson, the world's largest international health and beauty retailer, has reached a major milestone in its global youth employment pledge - recruiting 134,000 young people to date. This achievement marks more than halfway toward its goal of creating 200,000 opportunities by 2030.
AS Watson, the world's largest international health and beauty retailer, has reached a major milestone in its global youth employment pledge - recruiting 134,000 young people to date and delivering 3.8 million hours of training. This achievement marks more than halfway toward its goal of creating 200,000 opportunities by 2030.
AS Watson has been honoured with the Leadership Award in the Sustainable Corporate category at the Standard Chartered Corporate Achievement Awards 2025. This recognition reflects the Group’s commitment to sustainable development, environmental stewardship, and social responsibility.
Paper is highly recyclable and widely used. FSC and PEFC certifications ensure responsible sourcing. AS Watson promotes certified or recycled paper and targets 100% recycled tertiary packaging by 2030 to support forest conservation and reduce plastic use.
As a responsible and ethical company, AS Watson is dedicated to respecting human rights, caring for our people and our communities.
