AS Watson, the Hong Kong-based owner of chains such as Superdrug, Savers, The Perfume Shop, and Rossmann, has opened its 16,800th store, further consolidating its position as the world’s largest international health & beauty retailer with a portfolio of 12 brands operating across 29 markets.
The milestone store was opened in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, under the Kruidvat banner.
Dr. Malina Ngai, Group CEO of AS Watson, commented: “The opening of our 16,800th store represents more than our growth as a company – it symbolises our commitment to serving the communities worldwide. With every store we open, we create jobs, foster customer relationships, and build lasting trust.
“16,800 is a number with special meaning in Chinese culture. The number 6 symbolises ‘everything goes smoothly’ while 8 represents ‘good fortune’. We embrace the special meaning of this milestone and look forward to a future of lasting success and prosperity, not only for our business growth but also in extending these best wishes for a brighter future for the world during this festive Christmas season.”
Kruidvat is the leading health & beauty retailer in the Netherlands. The new store is one of its largest, spanning over 770 sq. m., with an assortment of over 36,000 products.
NAM Implications:
- One of those ‘grower’ retailers that seems to have grown a lot since you last looked.
- And given the spread of 12 retail brands over 29 markets…
- …and few instances where their business stats are aggregated…
- …perhaps time to reassess in terms of seeing and managing the account as a whole.
