Did you know that the Hong Kong based A.S. Watson Group began its social responsibility programs in the 1800s, when it provided free medicine to the needy in the southern Chinese province of Guangdong?
That Watsons started one of the first medical scholarships in Hong Kong, and that no less than the revered Dr. Sun Yat Sen was one of the scholarship beneficiaries when he came to the Crown Colony to study medicine?
As the A.S. Watson Group celebrates its 175th Anniversary this year, it continues its tradition of putting great resources on various CSR programs across three areas of service – Health, Education, and Caring Community all over the globe.
One of these is the Project LOL Philanthropy Programme with the mission of spreading “Lots of Love, Lots of Laughs” to the people of Hong Kong. It hopes to share more warmth and laughter by lifting up the lives and spirit of everyone in the community.
In the Philippines, Watsons recently launched its “AnniverSAYA, 175 Healthy, Happy Families” medical mission at SM City Sta. Mesa as part of its participation in the Watsons 175th Anniversary worldwide celebration.
During the activity, 175 families were provided with free medical and dental consultations and services. These included tooth extraction, OB consultation, as well as screenings for blood glucose, anemia, UTI, bone, cholesterol and blood pressure check-up.
The A.S. Watson Group (ASW) had its beginnings in 1841 when Hong Kong was just a fishing village. Named after Dr. Alexander Skirving Watson, who joined the company as Manager in 1858, the company gained prominence with the Hong Kong Dispensary
In a span of 175 years, Watsons has grown from a small local dispensary to become the largest international health & beauty retailer in Asia and Europe. It currently operates over 4,000 stores and more than 1,000 pharmacies in 12 Asian and European market.
“With a history dating back to 1841, the A.S. Watson Group is one of the longest standing and most established companies in Hong Kong,” says the A.S. Watson Group. “We are privileged to be able to witness and grow alongside Hong Kong’s transformation from a fishing village to become a global city and the center of international trade.”
“We are proud to have taken a Hong Kong-based company to a leading position in the world retail landscape,” the management adds. “Looking ahead, we strive to continue our expansion in Hong Kong and overseas, as well as to deliver our promise of providing quality products and shopping experiences to customers.”
Watsons continually sets the standards in the health, wellness and beauty market, providing personalized advice and counseling in health, beauty and personal care on top of its market-leading product range, making customers LOOK GOOD, FEEL GREAT every day. Since 2009, Watsons has been the No. 1 pharmacy/drugstore brand in Asia*.
