Bangkok--23 Mar--Hill & Knowlton
Photo shows - Mr Toby Anderson, Managing Director, and Ms Nuanphan Jayanama, Marketing Director of Central Watson Co., Ltd. in the press briefing to announce business results of Watsons in 2008 and its directions for 2009.
Reinforce position as No.1 health and beauty retailer in Thailand with sales growth in 2008 highest out of the past five years
Continue ‘consumer focus’ strategy with interactive marketing programmes to get in touch with customers
Focus on Watsons’ own label products with high quality at affordable prices
Respond to the government’s fiscal stimulus initiative, giving a 100 baht voucher to customers when they spend their 2,000 baht cheque at Watsons stores
Watsons, Thailand’s No. 1 health and beauty retailer, achieved positive growth in 2008 and during the first quarter of 2009 despite the economic downturn. With sales growth in 2008 higher than any of the past five years, Watsons aims to continue this growth, focusing on developing its own label products and interactive consumer activities.
Last year, own label products recorded double-digit sales growth. The company launched its own label brands with a total of 200 products in 2008. Some of the most famous are Watsons Lavender Range launched in September 2008 and Organiga Story launched in October 2008 which is one of Watsons’ exclusive brands. The two product lines continue their strong growth with positive feedback from customers.
Sharing an overview of the company’s performance, Toby Anderson, Managing Director of Central Watson Co., Ltd, said “Watsons has achieved another year of success despite the economic downturn. Last year we recorded healthy growth which is higher than any of the past five years. We aim to continue this growth by focusing on what customers want and by meeting their needs. We are committed to offering top quality products combined with a high standard of customer service to provide excellent value to every customer.”
“As the No. 1 health and beauty retailer in Thailand, Watsons will continue to focus on customers service, Watsons own and exclusive label products offering high quality products at affordable prices. With our customer focus strategy, we continue to offer a variety of interactive marketing programmes to get in touch with our customers.”
One of the most successful customer programmes is ‘YOU AWARDS Season 2’, an interactive online contest that allows members of the public to vote for contestants in one of six categories such as ‘Friendly face’ and ‘Engaging eyes.’ YOU AWARDS encourages people to have a positive self-image and promote the importance of inner beauty. By the time the contest concluded on 18 March 2009, viewers had cast more than 130,000 votes via the SMS and on the Watsons' YOU AWARDS website for the 30 finalists.
“Customers have always been our priority. Our mission is to help our customers enjoy themselves from inside out,” said Mr Anderson. “YOU AWARDS is one of the programmes that support this mission. Our aim is to make a positive contribution to the health, looks of our customers— making sure they are always having fun, looking good and feeling great.”
Response to the government’s fiscal initiative
In response to the government’s fiscal initiative, Watsons will welcome the 2,000 baht stimulus cheque at their local Watsons stores. Watsons will also give customers a gift voucher for 100 baht when they spend their 2,000 baht stimulus cheque at Watsons outlets.
Key growth factors in 2009
Watsons’ goal of continued business growth is demonstrated by its plan to invest more than 80 million baht in IT systems, store improvement and staff training. Watsons also plans to hire more employees and launch more of its own label products.
“Watsons continues to grow. We are still hiring more staff because our people are a significant factor in the success of our business. Watsons is a people business, and to create the right customer experience we need to work on making sure we hire the best, develop professional and personal skills as well as provide interesting job challenges in a dynamic work environment,” said Mr Anderson.
Watsons’ own label brands are also a significant contribution to Watsons’ business growth. In 2009, Watsons plans to launch approximately a further 400 products under its own or private label brands, focusing on Bath, Body and Hair categories.
“In 2009, Watsons will continue to embrace all key factors that drive positive growth,” said Mr Anderson. “We will continue to offer customers new product innovations and marketing initiatives to address their needs. We have become stronger in our own label brand products than ever before. We now focus on the implementation of consumer-focused interactive marketing programmes and we continue to reach out to customers, listening and delivering what they need.”
“We want all customers to think about Watsons first when they think about health and beauty,” Mr Anderson concluded.
About Watsons
Watsons, the No.1 health & beauty retailer in Asia and Thailand, was launched in Thailand in 1996 with the first store located at the Maneeya Center building. Watsons is the country’s leading health and beauty store currently with over 145 stores offering products from consumer goods to health & beauty products. Watsons continually aims to offer top quality products combined with value for money as well as providing high-standard service to every customer. Watsons is a subsidiary of the A.S. Watson Group, the world's largest health and beauty retailer with over 7,900 stores in 36 markets.
For more information, please contact:
Weeranuch Puttachartsaewee / Tawn Chatchavalvong
Hill & Knowlton Thailand
Tel. 0-2627-3501 ext. 101 or 118
Fax. 0-2627-3510
Email: [email protected]