Watsons collaborates with global supplier partners to launch over 1,600 Sustainable Choices
Watsons proudly announces the launch of over 1,600 Sustainable Choices products both in stores and online.
The launch is the result of close collaboration with global supplier partners.
These include sector leaders Beiersdorf, GlaxoSmithKline, Johnson & Johnson, Kao, L’Oréal, Procter & Gamble, Reckitt, Shiseido and Unilever.
Malina Ngai, CEO of A.S. Watson (Asia & Europe), delights as the launch chimes with evolving consumer expectations.
“Many customers started to rethink their priorities due to the pandemic and they’re very much aware of the impact their choices have on the environment and society. We’ve been working closely with our strategic supplier partners to offer a wide range of Sustainable Choices products – everything from skincare to shampoo – making it easier for customers to make purchase decisions that contribute to a better world for all.”
Ngai adds,
“We want to build a sustainable mindset and behavior together with our customers in their daily personal care and beauty needs. It’s the start of an exciting journey of a three-way partnership with our strategic supplier partners and our customers to make an impact.”
Watsons Goes Green
The Sustainable Choices section in the Watsons online store helps customers to quickly find the products that best suit their needs.
Ngai continues,
“Watsons O+O (Offline plus Online) retail strategy enables us to draw on our scale and technology as we develop new initiatives. A Sustainable Choices section [had a] soft launch earlier this year, the sales of some products have already soared by up to 300%. This indicates clearly that customers are looking for sustainable products, hence it’s our mission to make them available and easy to browse for them.”
Furthermore, she says,
“Sustainable Choices products can now be found with just a click. We hope that by making it easier to choose wisely, more customers will be motivated to do the right things, for themselves and for the planer. The initial customer response is hugely encouraging, and we’re sure our customers will love our wider range of sustainable products.”
The Power of Sustainable Partnerships
Watsons partnership with its suppliers goes beyond the product range. In fact, they’ve been teaming up on a range of sustainability-related initiatives.
In Watsons Hong Kong, they’ve just launched the “Plastic Reborn” campaign with P&G.
This is a three-year commitment to reward customers with free gifts.
In return, they bringing in empty personal care plastic bottles from any brand for recycling.
Already, customers recycled 3,400kg of plastic since February 2021.
Yvette Fan, Managing Director and Vice President of Procter & Gamble Hong Kong, said,
“We look forward to Plastic Reborn becoming an integral part of Hong Kong’s circular economy, and will build the program so that each year, the difference we make gets bigger and bigger.”
Watsons China teamed up with Unilever to promote the launch of the Dove Botanical skincare range.
This tells the story behind the products’ ingredients, both in stores and online, to encourage take-up of Clean Beauty.
Sustainable business growth
The three promoted products have already been flying off the shelves, with over 40% year-on-year growth.
Furthermore, Arthur Li, Beauty Channel Director of Unilever, said,
“It’s heartening to see customers enjoying these products, doing something great for themselves and the planet. We are very happy to collaborate with Watsons to promote Clean Beauty and sustainable business growth.”
In Watsons Thailand, customers can recycle PET plastic bottles at the “Garnier Refun Machine” in stores and earn a free Garnier Pink Micellar Water in return.
Ines Caldeira, CEO of L’Oréal Thailand, Myanmar, Laos & Cambodia, said,
“Building a Green Beauty World is an essential part of the purpose of Garnier. To achieve this goal, we need a wide range of stakeholders to join us on this journey. I am delighted that Watsons Thailand [becomes] our first partner to demonstrate its vision and commitment to sustainability.”
A local collaboration
Watsons Philippines and Unilever will be preventing the equivalent of 2.5M bottles from entering the ocean.
This is made possible by their partnership with Plastic Bank.
This collaboration not only supports plastic recycling but also provides livelihood for Plastic Bank’s registered collectors.
Bo Rodriguez, Channels of the Future Manager and AS Watson Asia Commercial Lead of Unilever Philippines, said,
“Together with Watsons, our trusted and valued partner, we continue to reach millions of Filipinos. Our Gift for Good campaign this Christmas season will allow us to team up with Watsons to support their beneficiaries, through our brands such as Dove, St. Ives, and Love Beauty & Planet. Through this campaign, we can celebrate the season with purpose, while making sustainable living commonplace for our shoppers.”
Ngai reinforces,
“The launch of Sustainable Choices reflects the strength of our collaboration with supplier partners and our connectivity with consumers. We understand that our responsibilities go beyond the health and beauty products we provide so we’re committed to using our influence to inspire behavioural change that leads to a more sustainable world.”
