AS Watson health sales rise 10% as preventive care demand grows

Insider Spotlight

• Global health sales increased 10 percent over the past year amid stronger consumer interest in preventive healthcare and self-care
• A survey of more than 11,000 consumers across Europe and Asia showed online research and professional consultations play major roles in health product discovery
• Watsons Philippines is strengthening pharmacist training in diabetes and respiratory care to support more proactive health management
  
  
  
  

AS Watson’s global health sales grew 10 percent over the past year as consumers increasingly sought products and services focused on preventive healthcare, self-care and healthier lifestyles.

The health and beauty retail group has more than 3,300 pharmacists and nearly 10,000 health professionals working across more than 1,770 pharmacies worldwide. Its healthcare strategy combines professional guidance with personalised services and Offline plus Online, or O+O, solutions.

Proactive approach

Consumer health concerns are emerging as a major driver of product adoption as shoppers take a more proactive approach to managing their well-being.

Global research covering more than 11,000 respondents across 10 markets in Europe and Asia found that health concerns drove 43 percent of health product adoption. Professional advice accounted for 41 percent, while recommendations from family and friends accounted for 32 percent. 

The digital connection

Consumers are combining digital research with professional advice and physical-store discovery when evaluating health products.

Online research was used by 82 percent of respondents, while 49 percent consulted health professionals and 44 percent relied on in-store product discovery.

Price and promotions influenced 56 percent of purchase decisions, followed by brand trust at 48 percent and product benefits at 45 percent. 

Continuing education

Watsons Philippines is strengthening the role of pharmacists through continuing education and specialised training aimed at helping customers make more informed health decisions.

Programs include diabetes educator training developed with Diabetes Philippines and respiratory care educator training involving the Philippine College of Chest Physicians and the Philippine Pharmacists Association. The initiatives equip pharmacists to provide additional guidance on managing health and wellbeing.

$26 billion in revenue

AS Watson operates more than 17,000 stores across 12 retail brands in 31 markets and employs 130,000 people globally.

The group recorded more than $26 billion in revenue in fiscal year 2025, while its technology-enabled O+O platforms serve more than six billion shoppers annually. Watsons operates more than 1,200 stores in the Philippines as of January 2026. —Vanessa Hidalgo | Ed: Corrie S. Narisma