AS Watson Surpasses Halfway Mark in Global Youth Employment Pledge

“At AS Watson, we give young people more than a job - we give them belonging, purpose, and the tools to succeed. When we invest in young people, we invest in the future of everything - our industry, our communities, and our world. That's the real purpose behind every opportunity we create." ~Dr. Malina Ngai, Group CEO of AS Watson

AS Watson, the world's biggest multinational health and beauty retailer, has achieved a major milestone in its global youth employment initiative by hiring 134,000 young people and offering 3.8 million hours of training. With this achievement, it is now more than halfway toward its 2030 goal of 200,000 opportunities.

Along with generating employment, AS Watson has made large expenditures in training and development, giving new hires 3.8 million hours of learning in their first year, or an average of 28 hours of education per young person. This initiative exemplifies the Group's dedication to providing young people with the skills necessary to thrive in a rapidly evolving retail environment.

When Watson launched the Pledge in 2022 to lessen the challenges that young people face when they enter the workforce.   Lack of prior work experience and a disconnect between academic knowledge and practical skills sometimes hinder their employment.   AS Watson is committed to helping people overcome these challenges by providing practical skills training and hands-on experience that bridges the gap between school and the workplace.

Empowering the Next Generation

Through partnerships with local communities and academic institutions, Watsons has effectively spearheaded youth projects in the Philippines.  Nearly 850 interns and apprentices have been accepted by the company thus far.   These programs demonstrate Watsons' unwavering commitment to creating useful opportunities and shaping the next generation of retail talent by providing practical community pharmacy expertise, real-world retail experience, and significant corporate exposure with a high possibility of full-time employment.

Impact Beyond Numbers

The program at AS Watson places a strong emphasis on both initial jobs and long-term professional advancement. It provides young workers with essential digital, customer service, and leadership skills. The Group continues to collaborate with academic institutions and non-governmental groups to ensure fair access to employment opportunities.

Looking ahead, AS Watson remains committed to:

• Reach 200,000 youth employment opportunities by 2030
• Expand training in digital skills and sustainability roles
• Drive innovation through technology and Generative Al in retail

To learn more about AS Watson’s youth employment initiatives and career opportunities, visit Join Us | AS Watson Group - A member of CK Hutchison Holdings

About AS Watson Group

Established in 1841, AS Watson Group is one of the world's longest-standing and most recognised retail companies with roots in Asia. Today, the company operates over 17,000 stores across 12 retail brands in 31 markets, employing 130,000 people globally. This makes AS Watson Group the largest international health and beauty retailer in the world.

In the fiscal year 2024, AS Watson Group reported revenue of over US$24 billion. The company's technology-enabled O+O (Offline plus Online) platforms serve over 6 billion shoppers annually, seamlessly integrating physical and digital retail experiences.

AS Watson Group supported over 180 charitable and non-profit organisations in 2024, dedicating over 41,000 hours of volunteer work to serve over 370,000 people in need in our operating markets.

AS Watson Group is also a member of the world-renowned multinational conglomerate CK Hutchison Holdings Limited, which has four core businesses ‐ ports and related services, retail, infrastructure and telecommunications in over 50 countries.

Please visit www.aswatson.com/our-company/o-and-o-strategy/ for more information.