THERE is no doubt that Watsons takes sustainability seriously. At the retailer’s stores in The Block in SM North Edsa and SM Megamall, there are Refilling Stations for its popular Naturals by Watsons line. Its “Sustainable Choices” program gives customers environmentally conscious options when buying personal care products. This selection features reduced plastic components, refill packs, and ethically sourced ingredients, available in Clean Beauty and Better Packaging.
In 2022 and 2023, Watsons took part in coastal clean-ups as part of International Coastal Cleanup Day. We asked Watsons Watsons’ senior AVP for marketing, PR and sustainability Sharon Decapia and senior marketing manager for sustainability Lexie Coloma the plans regarding this initiative for 2024 and their reply was interesting. They said there are plans to do the coastal clean-up not only in Metro Manila but simultaneously in the provinces as well.
In 2023, Watsons conducted five “Alagang Pangkalusugan” medical missions, providing free medical consultations, blood tests, bone screenings, hearing checks, skin and hair analyses, ECGs, and X-rays, benefiting over 4,000 individuals.
AS Watson’s Next Gen Sustainability Committee and Watsons Philippines also jointly took part in a medical mission in Clark, Pampanga in October. Sixty patients received life-changing surgeries carried out by medical professionals from Operation Smile. Watsons Philippines’ goal is to perform 3,300 corrective surgeries on children with cleft conditions in the country alone by 2030.
Another Watsons sustainability initiative was the “Reuse with Watsons: A Sustainability Art Exhibit,” which amplifed sustainable practices and the significance of the 3Rs—reduce, reuse and recycle. The artworks featured in the exhibit integrated plastic bottles, wrappers, papers, carton boxes, tissues, blister packs, metals, makeup sponges, foams and other upcycled materials.
Here’s more good news for the environment from Watsons.
“By 2025, all your favorite Watsons tissues and wet wipes will be made from 100 percent recycled materials. Watsons will continue to provide safe and sustainable options for its own brands to consumers,” said Decapia.
Another initiative in the pipeline is Watsons’ first inaugural green store in Laguna. Aside from offering eco-friendly products, the store will operate primarily on solar energy to minimize emissions. Watsons’ green store in the Philippines, once opened, will implement strict standards on sustainability.
“Another thing that we’re scaling up are our solar panels. We have 34 doors now with solar, powered by solar. And we want to roll that out to 100 more this year, extending solar power as well in our warehouses,” said Decapia.
Watsons now has over 1,107 stores nationwide and is looking to open a hundred more in 2024. With the company’s rapid expansion, it is only logical for it to step up its sustainability initiatives.
BEAUTYCON 2024 OPENS ON MARCH 20
ON March 20 to 23, Watsons, SM Beauty, and LOOK At Me will open BeautyCon 2024: Journey Into Beauty—the biggest beauty event of the year—at the SMX Convention Center Halls 1 and 2 with over 100 participating beauty and personal care brands.
Entrance to the event is free for all Watsons Club, SMAC, and LOOK At Me members. Attendees can expect to do a lot of shopping as all participating brands will be offering special discounts, offers and freebies exclusive to the four days of the event.
Participating Filipino beauty brands include Issy Cosmetics, GRWM Cosmetics, Colourette Cosmetics, Absidy Beauty, BLK Cosmetics, Happy Skin Cosmetics, and Vice Cosmetics. Asian favorites include Hada Labo, Laneige, Beauty of Joseon, Dr. Jart+, Tsubaki, Round Lab, and Rom&nd and more.
Luxury brands like Calvin Klein, Carolina Herrera, Viktor & Rolf, and Armani, as well as global favorites such as Shiseido, Laura Mercier, Huda Beauty, Kiehl’s, and Lancôme, will be at BeautyCon 2024. Other international brands include Neutrogena, Celeteque, Dove, Biorderma, Nivea, Ponds, and Olay, as well as Kora Organics, First Aid Beauty, Supergoop, and many more.
If you’re into beauty tools and accessories, Kiss NY, Real Techniques, JML, W Elite, Euroo, and Wet Brush among many others will also be at BeautyCon 2024. Watsons’ own brands such as Naturals by Watsons, Watsons Baby, Dermaction Plus by Watsons, and Collagen by Watsons will also be there.
For hair care and styling, there will be Kerastase, Manic Panic, and Liese. Men’s body care and grooming staples Gilette, Old Spice and Rexona Men will also make their appearance.
Celebrities and top-tier KOLs and beauty icons are also making surprise appearances at the four-day event. I think Heart Evangelista will be present on March 23 at 5:30 pm for a talk. Other celebrities who will be there are Francine Diaz, Janine Gutierrez, AC Bonifacio, and Marco Gumabao.
