History of Watsons
History of Watsons
History of Watsons
1841
The Hong Kong Dispensary was founded in Hong Kong.
1858
Alexander Skirving Watson, a British pharmacist, joined the company as Manager.
1862
The name A.S. Watson (after Dr. Alexander Skirving Watson who joined the company as
Manager in 1858) began to feature prominently with the Hong Kong Dispensary.
1869
Hong Kong Dispensary was appointed the chemist of the Hong Kong Governor and the Duke of
Edinburgh.
1870
A.S. Watson set up scholarship to support local medical school. Dr Sun Yatsen, the renowned
politician and revolutionist in China, is also one of the beneficiaries under the scholarship
scheme.
1871
The Hong Kong Dispensary began trading under the name A.S. Watson & Company.
1875
Erected the first factory in Hong Kong at 1-3 Stanley Street, producing six flavours of beverages.
1883
A.S. Watson expanded overseas to the Philippines and China; established a pharmacy and a soft
drink factory (1884) in Manila.
1886
A.S. Watson became the 15th company registered on the Hong Kong Company Registry.
1895
A.S. Watson operated 35 stores and produced about 300 dispensary, toiletry and perfumery lines.
1903
Watsons Water was established to provide pure water in Hong Kong and Mainland China.
1910
To concentrate resources and energy, A.S. Watson closed all branches in China and the
Philippines.
1937
The Japanese invasion of China halted A.S. Watsons China operations.
1941
A.S. Watson celebrated its centenary just months before the Japanese force attack on 13th
December
1945
A.S. Watson resumed business on 1stSeptember.
1963
Hutchison Whampoa Limited (forerunner of CK Hutchison Holdings Limited) acquired a
controlling interest in A.S. Watson & Co., Ltd.
1972
A.S. Watson acquired PARKnSHOP supermarkets.
1973
Acquired Peter Pan Toy Shops. Launched Mountain Cream ice-cream products.
1981
Hutchison Whampoa Limited (forerunner of CK Hutchison Holdings Limited) acquired A.S.
Watson. At the time we had 75 stores.
1987
Watsons expanded to Taiwan.
1988
Watsons expanded to Macau and Singapore.
1989
Watsons reopened in China.
1990
FORTRESS joined the A.S. Watson Group.
1994
Water factory opened in Beijing.
Watsons expanded to Malaysia.
1996
Watsons expanded to Thailand.
1997
Acquired Shanghai Sparkling Drinking Water.
1998
FORTRESS opened its first store in Taiwan.
Watsons Wine opened its first store.
Expanded water operations in Europe through acquisitions.
1999
A.S. Watson sold ice-cream businesses in Shanghai, Guangzhou and Hong Kong to the Unilever
Group.
2000
A.S. Watson entered European market by acquiring the Savers health & beauty retail chain in the
UK.
2001
Watsons wine business expanded into Europe with acquisition of Badaracco SA
2002
A.S. Watson acquires the Dutch-based Kruidvat Group, adding famous European brands into the
portfolio, including health and beauty retailer Superdrug, Trekpleister, Rossmann and luxury
perfumery ICI Paris XL.
2003
Signed agreement to sell European water operations to Nestl Waters
Superdrug opened its first new identity store in the Bullring Birmingham in the UK
Watsons Water celebrated its 100 anniversary of purity & persistence.
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2016
A.S. Watson celebrates its 175 anniversary!
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