Insider Spotlight
Founded in 1841 as Hong Kong’s first western pharmacy, the company has grown into the world’s largest international health and beauty retailer.
Yet executives say its purpose has remained unchanged, centered on improving health, happiness, and access to care for the communities it serves.
Why it matters
At a time when global retailers are increasingly judged on social impact as much as scale, AS Watson is using its milestone anniversary to highlight how long-term community investment can coexist with global growth.
The company operates more than 17,000 stores across 31 markets and employs around 130,000 people worldwide.
Despite that scale, it continues to frame its strategy around what it calls “creating smiles” for customers, colleagues, and communities.
Driving the news
A central highlight of the anniversary is AS Watson’s “Give a Smile” campaign with Operation Smile, launched globally in 2018.
The initiative has already surpassed its original goal of funding 10,000 free surgeries for children born with cleft lip and palate conditions, reaching the milestone ahead of schedule.
Building on that momentum, AS Watson has now set a new target of supporting 15,000 surgeries by 2030 .
“Every three minutes, a child is born with a cleft condition,” said Kathy Magee, Operation Smile co-founder, president and CEO. “Thanks to AS Watson, we are able to provide access to essential surgical and comprehensive cleft care for thousands of patients.”
What they’re saying
Dr. Malina Ngai, Group CEO of AS Watson, underscored that growth alone does not define the company’s success.
“Our journey is defined not just by growth, but by the countless smiles we’ve helped create— for our customers, our people, and the communities we serve,” Ngai said in a press release.
The bigger picture
Beyond the “Give a Smile” campaign, AS Watson reported supporting more than 180 charitable and nonprofit organizations in 2024, contributing over 41,000 volunteer hours to reach more than 370,000 people in need across its markets.
As it looks to the future, the retailer says it will continue to raise funds, donate, and actively involve customers in community initiatives, reinforcing a belief that care should never be a privilege but a shared responsibility shaped over 185 years. —Vanessa Hidalgo | Ed: Corrie S. Narisma
