A.S.Watson Group opens 15,000th store

SHAH ALAM: A.S. Watson Group, the world’s largest and fastest growing international health and beauty retailer, celebrates an important milestone yesterday as it opens its 15,000th store.

Located at the Central i-City Mall in Section 7 here, the new store, Watsons, also signifies a landmark step for Watsons Malaysia as its coincides with its 500th store in the country.

Watsons is the flagship retail brand of A.S. Watson with over 7,200 stores in 13 markets in Asia and Eastern Europe.

A.S. Watson Group group managing director Dominic Lai said the company’s online and offline strategy is focusing on providing an extensive store network, excellent in-store customer service, most relevant health and beauty product assortments.

“These, combined with seamless digital experience and loyalty schemes help put smiles on customers’ faces.

“The continued success of our business is about customer connectivity (that denotes) our ability to connect customers with products, trends and experience they want in beauty, personal care, health and wellness,” he said at the launch of the new store, here today.

Lai said as one of the longest standing companies in the world with 178 years of history, the new store is yet another critical milestone from the support of their customers and business partners.

Globally, A.S. Watson has over 135 million loyalty members and has been investing HKD1 billion (approximately US$128 million) in its digital transformation journey since 2012 to enhance customer experience and enable the business to build data-driven approach to stay closer to customers’ need.

Meanwhile, Watsons Malaysia managing director Caryn Loh said within 25 years, Watsons Malaysia has grown to 500 stores with more than five million loyalty members.

“Customers today are demanding shopping experiences that are both convenient and hassle-free. We aim to reinforce our position as Malaysia’s leading health and beauty retailer by not only offering a diverse array of products, but also help our customers with a seamless, unmatched shopping experience at our store,” she said.

The 4,200 sq ft with the 8th generation store design, Watsons at Central i-City Mall is using technology to enhance customers experience to connect offline and online and is also equipped with StyleMe, Augmented Reality technology to showcase the latest fashionable product in a fun and engaging way for its customers.

In conjunction with its launch, Watsons Malaysia will be running a special nationwide promotion, with the lucky 15,000th member who makes a purchase at any of its store in the country will win a trip to Hong Kong for two.

In addition, Watsons Malaysia’s members will also get five per cent off storewide and 500 points with purchase of RM50 and above yesterday. - Bernama