Retail/Watsons

Editorial staff

Watsons, Thailand’s No.1 health and beauty retailer, plans to open 55 new stores, focusing upcountry and renovating 80 existing stores to be more modern this year.

Nuanphan Jayanama

Nuanphan Jayanama, managing director of Watsons Thailand, said that the company is reinforcing the leadership in smart beauty & wellness with six key strategies. These include expanding the network, driving innovation, diversifying product lines, enhancing health services, and elevating customer experiences under the concept "Health is Beauty, Beauty is Health." The approach aims to respond to the rapid growth in the health and beauty trends while continuing investment to ensure stable and sustainable business growth.

 
“This year, Watsons Thailand is committed to setting a new standard in health and beauty care. Our goal is to enhance products and services that cater to both inner health and outer beauty. Not only do we aim to meet the demands of the digital lifestyle with an elevated experience, but we also strive to create the best value for our customers and society in the long run,” she said.

 
The company continues to expand its investment according to plan, with a goal of opening 55 new stores by 2025. The new stores will be opened in upcountry where the market has less competition than Bangkok. Watsons now operates over 750 branches across all 77 provinces nationwide.

Additionally, 80 existing stores will be upgraded to better meet consumer needs, reinforcing Watsons’ commitment to becoming the most accessible and convenient health and beauty hub for everyone.
 
Moreover, Watsons is elevating health service and product standards, supported by a team of over 300 expert pharmacists nationwide who provide in-depth consultations tailored to diverse customer needs. The company also promotes employment for pharmacists aged 60 and expands self-care options with an additional 350 health products. Watsons also places strong emphasis on continuous professional development through the Health Care Intelligence Training (HIT) Programme, held four times annually. This initiative ensures that pharmacists remain up-to-date with the latest knowledge and trends, enabling them to provide expert guidance in both health and beauty. The program reflects Watsons’ mission to support modern lifestyles and enhance long-term quality of life for customers nationwide.

Ms Nuanphan adds that the company continues to expand its “Watsons brand” product line under the Smart Wellness concept, offering a holistic approach to health and beauty. This year, Watsons is expanding its Dayvita vitamin line, designed for a simpler lifestyle, following strong demand from consumers in the Dayvita 30+ and 40+ age groups. A new formula specifically tailored for individuals aged 50+ is being introduced to meet the needs of both men and women. Additionally, Watsons is enhancing its Nutri 10,000 and L-Gluta Berry supplement lines for customers seeking more dietary supplement options.

The company is also strengthening the position in market with Dermaction Plus by Watsons, a skincare line specially formulated for sensitive Asian skin. These initiatives reaffirm Watsons’ commitment to developing comprehensive, accessible, and effective health and beauty products that promote self-care from the inside out. The company aims to make Watsons brand a top choice for consumers seeking a complete wellness solution, aligning with the modern lifestyle’s focus on balance and sustainable self-care.
 
In addition, the company is committed to delivering a seamless shopping experience tailored to the digital era. Watsons provides a one-stop shopping solution with no limitations. Customers can access over 15,000 health and beauty products across Watsons’ online platforms, including its website, mobile app, and social media channels.

To further enhance convenience, Watsons offers its Click and Collect service, allowing customers to order online from anywhere and pick up their items at a nearby store. This quick, hassle-free solution is perfect for today’s fast-paced lifestyles, seamlessly integrating online and offline shopping so customers can shop anytime, anywhere, with complete freedom.

Watsons tries to understand deep insight of consumer behaviors and needs via its Loyalty Program and has implemented a Store Segmentation, carefully curating product assortments to align with the unique lifestyles of customers in each location—delivering a more personalized and seamless shopping experience.
 
It commits to balancing health, beauty, society, and the environment, continuing its sustainability mission through reducing carbon footprint by cutting energy consumption, reinforcing the goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2030 as well as expanding the sustainable choices product line, offering customers nearly 900 sustainable products.

Ms Nuanphan said that amid the challenging factors, health & beauty products business remain to grow due to its product mix is differentiate from others. According to its survey, Watsons customers are ready to spend 1,000-3,000 baht to buy health products. The company is confident that its sales to grow ahead the retail industry’s growth this year.