Watsons has introduced “The Watsons Family”, a character-driven intellectual property (IP) to revolutionise customer engagement across Asia. The initiative introduces 16 “family members” inspired by MBTI personality types, reimagining Own Brand essentials as endearing collectibles. Flagship characters Sunny, Kilo and Flora headline the rollout with vibrant in-store visuals, online social campaigns, and a meet and greet event. With Asia’s IP-related products market surging in 2024, Watsons is tapping into booming demand by transforming everyday wellness into joyful and emotionally engaging experiences.  

Watsons has just cut the ribbon on its 34th store in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, landing in Dubai’s bustling Nad Al Sheba Mall. The beauty giant is doubling down on its status as the region’s hotspot for skincare, makeup and personal care with a curated lineup of global brands.

The new location blends an O+O (Offline plus Online) shopping experience to help customers discover their must-haves faster and fuss-free. With a variety of expert picks and seamless service, Watsons is making its beauty products and services even more tailored and accessible to customers across the region.  

Watsons is scaling up its carbon compensation efforts – partnering with ClimatePartner to offset 4,000 tonnes of CO₂ in 2025 through its Sustainable Choices product line. What started with seven product ranges in 2023 now spans 30, across Offline plus Online (O+O) stores in 10 markets, including Hong Kong, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam, Indonesia, Türkiye and the Gulf Cooperation Council.

Beyond carbon offsets, the initiative supports reforestation in Indonesia and afforestation in drought-hit Mainland China, while creating jobs, many for women.  

AS Watson Industries is bringing a new level of intelligent production to the city of Foshan, China with its new “smart” factory. This 80,000 square-metre beverage production facility will use highly automated, high-speed production lines that will increase core production capacity by 50% over existing facilities. The cutting-edge design will use natural light and ventilation to reduce energy usage, and even that electricity will be supported by solar panels. So next time customers are enjoying Watsons Water, Watson’s Soda Water or Sunkist, they will be able to taste a little bit of the sunshine in every bottle.  

AS Watson Group and Al-Futtaim Group have announced the opening of Watsons’ new flagship store at City Centre Bahrain Mall, Bahrain, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). This location is their third store opening in Bahrain in the space of three months – a stunning feat!

Watsons is stepping in with over 200 global and local brands, including a Sustainable Zone, Makeup Zone, and curated K-beauty and J-beauty selections in their Skincare Zone.  

Last year, Watsons China celebrated two significant achievements: its 600th store in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), which came in time for Watsons China’s 35th anniversary. The new health concept store in Shenzhen’s Longgang Wanda Plaza boasts bright runways and specialised zones, making it an exciting experience for health and wellness fans alike.

With over 8,000 stores across Asia, the brand continues to innovate its O+O shopping experience while introducing over 4,000 new products annually in the GBA.

From its first store to becoming Asia’s number one health and beauty brand, Watsons has always put community health and well-being first.  

In response to growing customer demand for seamless and enjoyable shopping experiences, Watsons is making a significant investment of US$250 million to enhance its stores across Asia. Over the next two years, 6,000 new and upgraded stores are being introduced, with 75% of the stores in Asia set to deliver more innovative and customer-focused shopping environments. This transformation highlights Watsons as one of Asia’s biggest players in retail innovation, and it continues to offer its customers an elevated and engaging experience as customer expectations evolve in the health and beauty sector.  

To celebrate its thirtieth anniversary, Watsons Malaysia has launched its first-ever Watsons-branded aeroplane in collaboration with AirAsia. The plane features Watsons’ branding, in-flight shopping opportunities and interactive activities for passengers.

This initiative highlights Watsons’ commitment to innovative customer experiences, marking a unique milestone in the brand’s growth. With over 700 stores in Malaysia, Watsons continues to engage its over 7.5 million loyalty members through immersive and fun shopping experiences, both offline and online.  

Watsons dazzled as the Overall Winner in the 11th annual Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards 2024, a competitive programme that recognises the best in business innovation in the Asia-Pacific. Watsons took home 34 awards, including 11 Gold, 10 Silver and 13 Bronze across several categories, solidifying its status as a top contender in the O+O Health & Beauty retail sector. Some of the highlights include Watsons’ campaigns for Innovative Management in Retail and the impactful “Go Green with Watsons”, which promotes sustainable practices and carbon neutrality. These victories spotlight Watsons’ commitment to business excellence and its strong customer relationships across diverse markets.  

Watsons Thailand celebrated its 700th store with a grand opening at Central Westville. As the leading health and beauty retailer in Thailand, Watsons has locations spreading across all 77 provinces. Glamour took centre stage, with a fashion show and mini-concert featuring local celebrities. To top it off, donations were also made to the Association for the Promotion of the Status of Women, extending Watsons’ commitment to community and women’s empowerment.  

In alignment with A.S. Watson’s Greener Store Global Framework, Superdrug plans to refit 70 existing stores this year by using environmentally friendly materials to replace its shop front, flooring and ceiling with biosoluble mineral, clay and starch. The new design will also improve energy conservation and waste management, and the signage will be fully recyclable.

In Malaysia, Watsons has launched its first greener store: the Tropika at Bukit Jalil. The store has over 700 sustainable choices products. They’re also piloting Watsons Malaysia’s first in-store recycling platform where customers can recycle packaging materials from products bought at Watsons.

The Watsons' DARE TO BE campaign is reaching out to over 100 million Watsons Club members to support the cause of gender equality. The campaign strives to encourage customers to be BRAVEHER, BOLDHER and STRONGHER in the cause of gender equality that embraces customers from all walks of life.  

Watsons Malaysia is introducing its first-ever drive-through pick-up service in Johor Bahru, a city just a bridge away from Singapore. After making a purchase on the Watsons mobile app, customers can drive up, pick up and carry on using the Click & Collect Express service. It’s the perfect solution for Malaysians and Singaporeans on the move!  

Watsons is asking Asians to #GetActive! Tailored for the Hong Kong, Malaysia, Taiwan and Thailand markets, the Watsons VR Get Active Park is an online experience with four exciting zones to help people lead an active and healthy life. Participants can earn rewards while improving their health in the Exercise Arena where they can measure their body mass index (BMI) and work out with virtual trainers. The Watsons VR Get Active Park delivers fun workout challenges, the Wat’s On Air zone provides health tips, and the Brand Expo helps connect people to the health products right for them. It’s time for you to head to the Watsons VR Get Active Park to get healthy!  

Watsons is set to win over an army of new fans for seamless Offline plus Online interactive shopping as it launches in Qatar. Watsons will be wowing Qataris from the Doha Festival City in the heart of this vibrant market. It joins five other shops located in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Saudi Arabia in serving the people of the Gulf Cooperation Council region.  

Watsons’ retail outlets will become the nodes of a city-wide plastic bottle collection network to get plastic bottles into recycling facilities and out of landfill. It’s part of a programme with global consumer goods giant Procter & Gamble and Hong Kong-based circular economy service The Loops. Customers will be incentivised by receiving Plastic Reborn eStamps which they can redeem for products. The bottles will be transported to the New Life Plastics plant in Tuen Mun’s Eco Park where they will be prepared to be reborn into their next incarnation.  

The six-nation ‘Watsons X Grab’ partnership will hypercharge the O+O (offline plus online) shopping experience, and will see Watsons partnering with Grab, Southeast Asia’s ride-hailing and delivery juggernaut. Watsons stores in Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines will form the backbone of this new shopping, payments and delivery behemoth. Watsons’ 2,300 stores continue to grow, with e-commerce sales doubling in 2020.  

Watsons’ loyalty programme has reached 100 million members in Asia, helping a powerful global community to lead healthier and more sustainable lifestyles. A separate VIP programme has also brought more privileges and personalised offers to Watsons' most committed customers around the world.