Watsons is celebrating an important milestone today as it opens its 1,000th store in Philippines, adding to a total of 8,000 Watsons stores across 15 markets in Asia and Eastern Europe. The new store opening coincides with Watsons’ 20th anniversary in the Philippines.
Spanning almost 1,000 square meters, the new flagship store is located in The Block, SM City North Edsa Block in Manila. It includes all the products you know in Watsons plus new services to help improve customer experience.
Watsons calls this O+O, which means Offline plus Online. This includes the Online Express, which sees to delivery products to customers' doorsteps in three hours. Customers may also use Click & Collect Express, where customers can order online and proceed to the store in 30 minutes to pick up the items.
Watsons also introduced in their Watsons app the Skinfie Lab. Using a selfie, the app will analyze the face, including acne, lines, pigmentation, and skin condition. The app will proceed to offer recommendations. There's also the Virtual Makeup, which allows digital application of makeups.
There is also a self-check out counter, which is an interesting inclusion in the country. Places outside the Philippines have been using self-check out counters to positive results. It's quite fascinating to see the tech coming to the country at long last.
Dominic Lai, Group Managing Director of A.S. Watson Group, officiates at the store opening event and says, “This new flagship store is important in the nation-wide expansion in this beautiful country as it’s a clear demonstration of Watsons’ determination to strengthen our connection with customers via seamless O+O platforms. O+O platform strategy is at the core of our business to create an integrated experience, to better serve customers anytime, anywhere.”
“Besides celebrating the 1,000th store opening, today marks Watsons’ 20 years of commitment to serving our customers in the Philippines. Over the years, we’ve been working to deliver our purpose to help customers Look Good, Do Good, Feel Great.”