Watsons, Asia’s leading health and beauty brand, has opened its 8,000th store in Asia. Based in Hong Kong, the retailer operates highly digitized drugstores and pharmacies across Asia and the Middle East. The new store at SM Mall of Asia in Manila highlights how digital signage connects offline and online (O+O) customer experiences.
AS Watson is the world’s largest international health and beauty retailer, operating more than 16.500 stores under 12 retail brands. In Europe, AS Watson holds a 40 percent share in German drugstore chain Rossmann. In contrast to most competitors, AS Watson invests heavily in in-store digital signage and kiosks. LCD and LED Videowalls, digital ribbons, and shelf signage are an integral part of the latest retail design concepts.
World’s Largest Health & Beauty Retailer
- AS Watson 16.500 stores
- AS Watson 8.000
- Rossmann (40% shareholder) 4.700
- Walgreen Boots Alliance 12.700 stores
- CVS 9.200 Stores
- DM 4.000
Accordingly, the new Manila store is designed to enhance the shopping experience with a spacious, stylish, and contemporary layout that meets customers’ diverse needs. It features designated zones, including a Premium Beauty area with the latest trending brands, an advanced skin analyzer, and digital signage screens. A Sustainable Choices zone offers a refill station for select private-label products and a wide range of Clean Beauty products.
Digital Signage & Kiosks
The store also features more self-checkout counters and Click & Collect services, enabling customers to order online and pick up their purchases in-store within 30 minutes. To create a seamless O+O customer experience, Watsons Philippines has introduced an online Health Supplement Advisor that guides customers to find the right product and offers personalised health consultations with pharmacists via live chat.
Like most competitors, the Watsons’ drugstore concept is a mix of beauty retail, pharmacy, and convenience store. The stores differ vastly in size and offering, but digital touchpoints combining Online and Offline, and screens communicating a modern lifestyle are an integral part of each store concept.
