I went for a walk at lunchtime and walked past a 'Watsons Store. Watsons is part of the A.S Watson Group (think Li Ka Shing - Hong Kong's richest man). In their own words '
Established in Hong Kong in 1841, A.S. Watson Group is the largest international health and beauty retailer in Asia and Europe with over 13,300 stores in 25 markets. Every year, over 3 billion customers and members shopped with our 13 retail brands in stores and online.
With over 130,000 employees worldwide, including 12,900 in Hong Kong, A.S. Watson Group is also a member of the world renowned multinational conglomerate CK Hutchison Holdings Limited, which has five core businesses ‐ ports and related services, retail, infrastructure, energy and telecommunications in over 50 countries'.
It was great to see that they are promoting 'heavily' the Blackmores brand here. Chinese buy Blackmores and goods overseas, and many cross the border into HK daily to buy IF and vitamins.
To me, this shows penetration with Asia's largest distributor of health and beauty products - and is MUCH more beneficial than the old style method of growth that was buy in Aus and ship in small amounts.
Anyone betting against Blackmores and Asia growth is brave and perhaps misinformed.
All Watsons stores have these signes (see attached) at the store front as you walk in (or past) the stores.
