CK Hutchison Holdings Ltd/AS Watson Holdings Ltd
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AS Watson Holdings is a holding company for CK Hutchison Holdings Ltd's retail arm. AS Watson is majority-owned by multinational conglomerate CK Hutchison Holdings Ltd (~75%), after 25% was sold to Singapore-govt-owned Temasek Holdings in Mar.2014.ref
Brands
AS Watson operates ~20 retail brands through 15,700+ retail stores. Brands, Brands (2011)
- Beverages
- Mr Juicy
- Watson's Water
- Watson's Wine
- † Sunkist
- Cosmetics & Perfumeries
- Marionnaud
- The Perfume Shop
- ICI Paris XL
- Electronics
- Fortress
- Su-Pa-De-Pa
- Health & Beauty
- Superdrug
- Savers
- Drogas
- Kruidvat
- Watson's
- Rossmann
- Trekpleister
- Supermarkets
- Bravo
- Fusion
- Great
- Park'n Shop
- Taste
- † Licensed brands.
Timelines
- 2014: Temasek Holdings Pte Ltd, a Singaporean investment company owned by the Govt of Singapore, took an indirect equity interest of 24.95% in AS Watson.
- Aug.2011: AS Watson's logo got a facelift.
- Nov.2006: DC Ukraine: a 65% stake in DC, Ukraine's No 1 health and beauty retail chain, was acquired; in 2011, DC Ukraine re-branded as Watsons. AS Watson also created a partnership with Asnova Holding, a leading wholesale and logistics player in Ukraine. logos
- Oct.2005: Watsons Your Personal Stores were opened in Tallinn, Estonia.
- Oct.2005: Spektr, a St Petersburg-based Russian health and beauty retail chain with 24 outlets, was acquired.ref In 2018, all Spektr outlets were rebranded as "Watsons".ref Website.arch
- Sept.2005: Marionnaud Parfumeries SAS, an ailing French perfume-and-cosmetics retailer with ~1,100 outlets in France and 10 other countries, was acquired.ref,ref,ref The transaction was finalised after gaining EU approval.ref Website
- Aug.2005: Merchant Retail Group plc, owner of 114-chain Perfume Shop, was acquired by AS Watson (P&C UK) Ltd, and delisted from the London Stock Exchange.AR-Dec.2005,ref,ref,ref,ref
- Jun.2005: Portegies Drugstore, a chain of 38 outlets in the Netherlands, was acquired by AS Watson Health and Beauty Continental Europe.ref The Dutch operations were hived up into the AS Watson Group's health and beauty portfolio, with all stores rebranded under one of the AS Watson operating brands.
- May.2005: Apex Pharmacy Sdn Bhd was acquired by Watson's Personal Care Stores Sdn Bhd (Malaysia) from Apex Healthcare Bhd, a Bursa Malaysia main board-listed company.
- Mar.2005: Cosmo Shop, a health and beauty retail chain in Turkey, was acquired. The acquisition expanded AS Watson's worldwide footprint to 21 markets.
- Nov.2004: GS-Watsons: AS Watson announced a new 50:50 JV with Korean retail company LG Mart Company. A personal healthcare retail chain will be launched under the "Watsons" banner.
- Aug.2004: Dirk Rossmann GmbH: AS Watson exercised its option to acquire a 40% stake in Germany's 2nd-largest drug store chain from former owner the De Rijcke family. The acquisition of Kruidvat Retail BV in 2002 included an option to purchase 40% of the Rossmann’s German operation, to be exercised within 24 months (until Oct.2004). Rossmann (company)
- Jun.2004: Drogas, a health and beauty chain with 80+ stores in Latvia and Lithuania, was acquired.ref
- Mar.2003: Watsons Your Personal Store: 3 outlets were launched at the Hong Kong International Airport, plus another managed by AS Watsons' sister company, Nuance-Watson (HK) Ltd Partnership.
- Jun.2003: Nestlé Waters bought Powwow Water, by then one of the leading players of the Home & Office Delivery water business in Europe.[1]
- Nov.2002: Kruidvat Retail BV, one of Europe's leading health & beauty retail businesses with 1,900 stores in 6 countries, was acquired from the De Rijcke family.ref,ref The acquisition significantly enhanced AS Watson's presence in Europe, making AS Watson one of the world's largest health and beauty chains. Companies acquired included Superdrug in the UK (acq'd 2001); Kruidvat and Trekpleister in the Netherlands; Kruidvat in Belgium; a 50% interest in Rossmann in Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic; and Perfumery retail chain ICI Paris XL in the Netherlands and Belgium.ref Kruidvat, Kruidvat.arch The companies acquired included retail chains Superdrug (UK), Kruidvat and Trekpleister (Netherlands), Kruidvat (Belgium), a 50% interest in Rossmann (Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic); and ICI Paris XL (Netherlands and Belgium).
- Apr.2002: Watsons Personal Care Store (Philippines) Inc: AS Watson announced a JV with members of the SM Group's Health and Beauty and Family Drugstore to bring Watson's health and beauty and pharmacy stores to the Philippines. The JV acquired the existing 61 health and beauty and drug stores under the SM Group. SM Investments
- 2001: Watson’s wine business expanded into Europe with acquisition of Badaracco SA, Switzerland, wine-trading company Badaracco
- Sept.2000: Savers Health & Beauty plc, a health & beauty retail chain in the UK, was acquired. Savers was AS Watson's first acquisition in Europe.AR-May.2001 Webpage, Website
- Jan.1999: Unilever bought AS Watson's ice-cream business in Shanghai, Guangzhou and Hong Kong. The business was originally launched in the 1970s.
- Oct.1998: Water Expansion: AS Watson expanded its water operations overseas, starting to make acquisitions in Europe.
- Jun.1998: Watson's Wine Cellar, Hong Kong's biggest wine cellar, was opened in Central, offering the growing Hong Kong wine market a large range of wines.
- 1997: Nuance-Watson (HK) Ltd, a duty-free JV operation between AS Watson and Nuance Group AG (acquired by Dufry Ltd in Sept.2014,ref,ref,ref,ref), won licences from the Hong Kong Airport Authority for the sale of perfumes and cosmetics (9 outlets), an airside general merchandise (12 outlets) and a specialty store licence to sell renowned fashion brands and audio-visual equipment (4 outlets) at the Hong Kong Inernational Airport at Chek Lap Kok. Nuance bought AS Watson out of the JV in May.2014.ref,ref [www.thenuancegroup.com Nuance.com], Dufry.com, Dufry.wp, Nuance-Watson.arch, Nuance.arch
- 1997: Shanghai Sparkling Drinking Water was acquired.
- 1990: Powwow Water was established by Hutchison Whampoa Ltd, enabling Watson's Water to establish itself as the leading 5-gallon water supplier in the UK, with acquired companies united under the Powwow brand.[2] The spring water originated and was bottled in Fillongley, Warwickshire. There was also a production site in Chesham. The Group’s Powwow brand became the UK’s largest water cooler company in just two and a half years in the business.[3]
- 1990: Fortress, a chain of electrical appliance stores, was acquired. Website
- 1987: Watson's The Chemist shops in Taiwan and Macao were opened, with further expansion into Malaysia in 1994, and Thailand in 1996.
- 1981: Hutchison International Ltd / Hutchison Whampoa acquired outright ownership of AS Watson & Company.
- 1973: Peter Pan Toy Shops, a chain of toy stores, was acquired.
- 1972: Park'n'Shop supermarket group, a leader in the Hong Kong market, was acquired.
- 1963: Hutchison International Ltd / Hutchison Whampoa gained a controlling interest in AS Watson & Company.
- 1903: Watson's Water was established to provide bottled drinking water to consumers in Hong Kong and mainland China.[4]
- Jan.1886: AS Watson & Company Ltd was officially registered.
- 1871: AS Watson & Company: the company began trading under the name.
- 1863: AS Watson: the Hong Kong Dispensary was renamed.
- 1856: Thomas Boswell Watson, a British physician, bought a stake in the Hong Kong Dispensary, becoming a major partner.
- Jan.1843: Hongkong Dispensary: after a bad typhoon destroyed the Dispensary's matshed at Possession Point in Jul.1941, the Canton Dispensary moved its operations to Hong Kong, and was renamed.ref,ref,pic
- 1831: The dispensary began selling cures and medicines to the foreign community, branching out into general trade. It was one of the first in the region to begin bottling soda water.
- 1828: Canton Dispensary and Soda Water Establishment: a small dispensary opened in Guangzhou, China, to dispense free medical services to the city's poor.ref
Additional Sources: About Hutchison Whampoa Ltd Hutchison Whampoa. Original archived on Jun.14.2007. ♦ A.S. Watson & Company Ltd. Encyclopedia.com. Accessed Dec.12.2019.,
The story of A.S. Watson: from a Hong Kong pharmacy to world’s largest health and beauty group. Richard Lord, South China Morning Post, Oct.27.2018.
Superdrug Stores plc
Superdrug is a UK-based health and beauty retailer, operating ~900 stores across the UK (each with fragrance offerings, and ~220 with in-house pharmacies and consulting rooms), and 19 stores with nurse clinics offering health checks. Superdrug also has online operations in Sweden, Finland and Norway.ref
Superdurg is wholly-owned by AS Watson Holdings Ltd, the retailing arm of CK Hutchison Holdings Ltd.
Jun.2018 | Superdrug Mobile was launched. The mobile network is operated as an MVNO on the back of sister company Three, and is exclusive to members of Superdrug's "Health & Beautycard" loyalty scheme.[5] |
Feb.2012 | Superdrug partnered with now-defunct ProSkin Clinics,[6] which enabled Superdrug to offer specialist skincare clinics in-shop. Treatments on offer ranged from laser hair removal to facials.[7] |
2005 | Superdrug launched a major marketing drive. |
Oct.2002 | AS Watson & Company Ltd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hutchison Whampoa Ltd, acquired Kruidvat Beheer BV's subsidiaries, Kruidvat Holding BV and Kruidvat Superdrug BV, representing Kruidvat Beheer's activities in the retail sale of health and beauty products.[8][9]:Dec.2002 The transaction was finalised after EU Commission approval was granted.[10] |
Jul.2001 | Kruidvat Beheer BV, a Dutch health & beauty chain, bought Superdrug from Kingfisher plc.[11][9]:Dec.2001 [12] |
Apr.1997 | FC Davison & Son (Chemists) Ltd was acquired, primarily for its pharmacy license.[9]:Jan.1998 |
1995 | Superdrug began a rebranding and store refurbishment programme, leaving behind its discount heritage and moving upmarket, with a new corporate identity, and new larger shops in prime retail locations. |
Nov.1989 | Medicare Ltd, a chain of 86 drugstores, was acquired, and hived up into Superdrug, increasing its storebase to 650+. |
Mar.1989 | Kingfisher plc: Woolworth Holdings plc changed its name, establishing a new corporate identity. Superdrug's expansion rate continued unabated. |
Nov.1988 | The non-trading assets and liabilities of both Tip Top and Share Drug were hived up into Superdrug, accelerating a major expansion programme. By the end of the year, Superdrug had established a market-leading position within the high street toiletry sector, trading in 580 outlets. |
Mar.1988 | Share Drug Stores plc, a southern-based chain of 145 drugstores, was acquired by Woolworth Holdings plc.[13]:Jan.1989 |
Feb.1988 | Tip Top Drugstores plc, a discount chemist chain with 110 outlets in the north of England and Scotland, was acquired by Woolworth Holdings plc.[13]:Jan.1989 |
Feb.1987 | Woolworth Holdings plc agreed a takeover of Superdrug, with Rite Aid Corporation's subsidiary Rite Investments Corporation relinquishing its (diminished) shareholding.[9]:Feb.1987 |
Feb.1983 | Superdrug Stores plc, now operating 143 outlets, was floated on the Unlisted Securities Market. |
1972 | Elgee Drugstores, a chain of 5 stores, was acquired. |
1971 | Rite Aid Corporation, a Harrisburg, Pennsylvania-based drug store chain, purchased a 49% shareholding in the company. |
Apr.1966 | The first Superdrug shop opened in Putney, London. |
Jan.1966 | Superdrug Stores Ltd: the company was renamed. |
May.1964 | Leading Supermarkets Ltd was incorporated by Ronald and Peter Goldstein, who had both spent several years in the grocery retailing industry. Initially, the business retailed toiletries. |
Additional Sources: Rite Aid Corporation. Company Histories. Accessed Dec.2019. ♦ Superdrug Stores plc - 39 Years of Retailing. Superdrug.com. Original archived on Aug.09.2004.
Merchant Retail Group
ToDo: Merchant Retail Group plc, CH, EauZone Ltd @ CH, link, link, link, link, link, link, Website.arch, Website
- Jul.2005: AS Watson P&C UK) Ltd acquired 100% of Merchant Retail Group, and delisted it. [AR-Dec.2005]
- AR-2005: Perfume Shop had 114 branches. Joplings had 4 stores. Decided to exit UK dept store retailing and sold the Joplings stores: Leamington to property redevelopers (Jul.2004); Tynedale to Tesco (Feb.2005); Sunderland + Hexham to Owen Owen (Mar.2005). Joplings
- AR-2004: The Perfume Shop had 98 branches.
- AR-2003: department store sales slowed. Perfume Shop had 86 outlets. £650,000 spent on de Grucy refurb.
- AR-2002: RBSTB Nominees Limited 16.7% + Mr J Guthrie 10.1% + Vidacos Nominees Limited 7.0% + Chase Nominees Limited 3.4% + 5% held by [State Street Nominees Ltd + R C Greig Nominees Ltd + Medlock and Medlock Ltd] (p.15).
- Feb.2000: RDB Interiors Ltd was sold to ??
- Sept.1999: A de Gruchy Holdings Ltd, headquartered in St. Helier, operates department store retailing and provides shop fitting services. AIM-listed Jersey-based department store and motor retailer. Acq'd the outstanding shares. [AR-Mar.1999], ref Website, Website.arch (2011-), link
- AR-Mar.1998: A de Gruchy Holdings Ltd, shareholding increased to 28.8%. The company's gearing increased to 40%.
- AR-Mar.1996: sold the supermarket business Normans Ltd to Plymouth and South Devon Cooperative Society Ltd. Two core subsidiaries remained: Joplings Ltd, a department store chain of 6 stores (5 freehold + 1 long leasehold) located in the north-east of England, t/a Joplings, Robbs of Hexham, + Woodwards; and The Perfume Shop Ltd, with 33 leasehold outlets.
- AR-Apr.1995: sold 3 Normans stores in May.1995; a Joplings store; massive staff reduction; decided to withdraw from supermarket retailing;
- AR-Apr.1994: Very difficult trading conditions due to increased competition; properties sold; Barnums and Town & Country Manner were sold during the year. Town & Country Manner sold in Jul.1993 to "a management team".
- Jul.1992: The Perfume Shop Ltd was incorporated. Trading performance had been poor and, per the sale agreement, the share capital of Eau Zone Ltd was re-purchased by the original vendors, with the business and assets of Eau Zone Ltd taken over by Merchant Retail Group. Eau Zone had 6 stores but 3 were closed down immediately, with only Guildford, Portsmouth and Basingstoke being retained.
- Oct.1991: Eau Zone Ltd, a discount perfume retailer, was acquired. The agreement included an option whereby the vendors could be required to buy back the business if certain profit targets were not met.AR-Mar.1991,AR-Mar.1993
- Aug.1991: Town & Country Manner Ltd, mail order retailer of of outdoor and leisure clothing, ac'qd.
- Sept.1990: Merchant Retail Group plc: the company changed its name.
- AR-Mar.1990: Major restructure: decided to sell Wallis Frozen Foods (sold to "a Scottish operator" in Apr.); Standrings drinks wholesale business (sold in Mar.1990); closed Hermitage wine import business (cos no purchaser found); Bandanga Ltd overseas plantation business (sold Aug.1991); close 3 non/low-contributing Normans Superwarehouses, sell surplus non-traded property, move Normans Superwarehouses to 3rd party distribution and sell main warehouse; merge Barnums management with Joplings; reorganise management structure and board.
- Feb.1989: Freezway was sold to ??
- Sept.1988: AH Hayes & Company Ltd + its freehold property interests acq'd from Pennant Properties plc. [AR-Apr.1989]
- AR-Mar.1988: Freezway plc acq'd (Sept.1987); Tendachoice Meats Ltd (40%)
- AR-Mar.1987: t/a "Normans Superwarehouses"; new logo "big N". Operations: Normans Superwarehouses Ltd; Joplngs Ltd (Joplings Department Stores); Wallis Frozen Foods Ltd. Smaller operations: Barnums Carnival Novelties of Olympia (acq'd 1978); Fieldsman Drinks Ltd, holdco for Isaac Standring of Rochdale (drinks distributor) and Hermitage Wine Cellars (wine importer).
- Jun.1987: acquired Joplings Ltd (department store chain founded in 1804).[AR-Mar.1987], link
- Sept.1986: acquisition of Wallis Frozen Foods Ltd.[AR-Mar.1987]
- Sept.1984: Normans Group plc: the company changed its name. Principal activity thru its major subsidiary Normans (Budleigh) Ltd was discount retailing. Other activities were the selling of drinks and giftware in the UK, and the growing and manufacture of tea and coffee in Malawi.[AR-Mar.1986]
- Dec.1980: Singlo Group plc: the company changed its name.
- Dec.1979: Proudvance Ltd was incorporated.
Sources: Merchant Retail Group Ltd @ CH, Merchant Retail Group .arch, Reports.arch (2002+2003) & 2004
References
- ^ a b Nestlé Waters And Hutchison Conclude A Major Water Business Transaction In Europe. Powwow.com, Feb.03.2003. Original archived on Apr.08.2003.
- ^ a b Annual Report 2000. Operations Review: Retail and Manufacturing, Hutchison Whampoa Ltd, 2000. Original archived on Aug.06.2004.
- ^ a b Annual Report 2001. Operations Review: Retail and Manufacturing, Hutchison Whampoa Ltd, 2001. Original archived on Mar.16.2003.
- ^ About Us. Watson's Water. Original archived on Jul.23.2002.
- ^ Superdrug launches new mobile network - here's how it stacks up. Money Saving Expert, Jun.20.2018.
- ^ Proskin sale safeguards 85 jobs. Matthew Ord, Insider Media Ltd, Apr.19.2016.
- ^ Superdrug launches advanced skincare clinics. Tiffany Holland, Retail Week, Feb.24.2012.
- ^ Asian tycoon snaps up pharmacy giant. BBC News, Aug.22.2002.
- ^ a b c d Superdrug Stores plc Companies House. Accessed Nov.23.2019.
- ^ Case No COMP/M.2951 - A.S. Watson / Kruidvat. Regulation (EEC) No 4064/89 Merger Procedure, European Commission, Sept.29.2002.
- ^ Kingfisher to sell Superdrug. The Telegraph, Jul.03.2001.
- ^ Annual Report and Accounts 2002. Woolworths Group plc, Feb.02.2002. Original archived on Jan.01.2007.
- ^ a b Kingfisher plc Companies House. Accessed Jun.02.2019.