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.

With 1,166 locations by the end of 2024, Watsons is still growing its community pharmacy model

“The Philippines has been selected for this momentous occasion because it’s one of the fastest-rising economies in Asia and a strategic market for AS Watson. This vibrant and highly potential market has a young demographic that increasingly focuses on health and beauty, aligning perfectly with Watsons’ expertise.” ~Dr. Malina Ngai, Group CEO of AS Watson Group

Further expanding into community pharmacy, Watsons Philippines opened more than 50 stores outside of Metro Manila.

As part of its strategic expansion, Watsons Philippines, a well-known health and beauty retail brand under the SM Group, ended 2024 with 1,166 locations. Last year, the company opened 80 new locations, more than 50 of which were outside of Metro Manila.

Under the direction of Dr. Malina Ngai, Group CEO of AS Watson Group, the Watsons brand also opened its 8,000th store in Asia at the Mall of Asia last year. She explained that the 8,000th store's opening represents a critical turning point in their international growth.

Expanding into community pharmacy

Through a joint venture between the SM Group and A.S. Watson & Co., based in Hong Kong, Watsons Philippines has expanded dramatically since the opening of its first location in 2002. Ltd. The company keeps expanding its reach across the country, giving Filipino customers easier access to cosmetics and medical supplies.

Important cities and municipalities in Visayas and Mindanao are among the new stores that opened last year, demonstrating Watsons' dedication to helping underserved communities. 

According to a recent Bain and Company study called "Asia-Pacific Front Line of Healthcare 2024," roughly 85% of consumers in the region place a high priority on maintaining their health, and 51% are willing to pay more out of pocket for better health outcomes and experiences.

“Watsons is not only expanding in malls but is also committed to establishing a strong presence in local neighborhoods,” De Guzman said. “By the end of 2024, we have 400 community stores throughout the Philippines, ensuring accessibility and convenience for our customers. Our community stores bring essential healthcare products closer to home, catering to the convenience sought by our busy shoppers. They have become vital destinations for health, beauty, and wellness needs.” ~Jared de Guzman, Customer Director at Watsons

In 2015, Watsons opened its first community pharmacy location in Pateros. The brand currently operates in three formats: SM Beauty, which has 76 SM Stores; Watsons Pharmacy, which has over 1,000 locations in various settings; and LOOK, which is a multi-brand outlet located at SM Aura and SM Mall of Asia.

Watsons maintains its position as a reliable supplier in the health and beauty industry by catering to a wide range of customers, from trend-setting beauty enthusiasts to health-conscious individuals.

About SM Investments Corporation

SM Investments Corporation is one of the leading Philippine companies that is invested in market-leading businesses in retail, banking, and property. It also invests in ventures that capture high growth opportunities in the emerging Philippine economy.

SM’s retail operations are the country’s largest and most diversified, consisting of grocery stores, department stores and specialty retail stores. SM’s property arm, SM Prime Holdings, Inc., is the largest integrated property developer in the Philippines with interests in malls, residences, offices, hotels, and convention centers as well as tourism-related property developments. SM’s interests in banking are in BDO Unibank, Inc., the country’s largest bank, and China Banking Corporation, the fourth largest private domestic bank.

For more information, please visit www.sminvestments.com

For inquiries, please contact: smic_corpcomm@sminvestments.com