Health and beauty retailer Watsons has opened its 700th store in Malaysia.
Located at the KSL Esplanade Mall in Kuala Lumpur, the new 4,000sqft flagship is the A.S. Watson-owned retailer’s largest in the region’s Klang shopping district.
With a focus on improving customers’ online and offline shopping experience, the store features an augmented reality-powered (AR) StyleMe service, allowing shoppers to virtually try on cosmetics, as well as professional make-up artists to provide personalised product recommendations.
It is also the first Watsons store to feature a dedicated hair care pillar, which offers exclusive hair and scalp care brands from Korea, Japan and the US.
Another display will focus on the latest K-beauty products, while there is also an e-stamp corner where customers can collect and redeem exclusive items online.
Sustainability is also a strong focus for the store, including refill stations where customers can top up their bottles, resulting in an 80% decrease in plastic use, according to Watsons.
Customers can also return their recyclable bottles to the store’s recycling bin in exchange for a Watsons voucher worth 5 Malaysian ringgits.
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The opening comes as Watsons has significantly grown its presence in the region, with the retailer opening more than 1,400 new stores throughout Asia since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Watsons also reported double digit sales growth in Malaysia, retaining its position as the country’s leading health and beauty retailer.
“We are delighted to announce the opening of Watsons’ 700th store in Malaysia, one of our fastest growing markets in Asia,” said Dominic Lai, Group Managing Director of A.S. Watson Group.
Lai added that the retailer continued its expansion plans despite facing challenges due to the pandemic “because we have a solid O+O [online and offline] strategy which is relevant to customers’ needs”.
“As the leading health and beauty retailer, Watsons will continue to innovate and adapt to meet customers’ evolving needs and strive for excellence in providing unparalleled O+O customer experience.”
A.S. Watson Group reported global sales of US$22bn last year across its retail portfolio including Watsons, Superdrug and The Perfume Shop.