TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Watsons (屈臣氏) celebrated the grand reopening of its newly renovated Ximen (西門) store on Wednesday (Dec. 4) after an impressive transformation that took just 45 days and cost over NT$10 million. The revamped store aims to cater to the post-pandemic surge in tourism, with managing director Alice Huang (黃艾知) noting that international travelers from South Korea, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Southeast Asia now make up 60% to 70% of the clientele.
Huang emphasized the strategic focus on displaying must-buy items and souvenirs on the first floor to attract international visitors and boost sales. She noted that the store's product adjustments cater to the preferences of international tourists, with Korean visitors favoring Darlie (好來) toothpaste and Snuggle (熊寶貝) products. In contrast, Chinese tourists prefer medicinal items like Tiger Balm (萬金油).
Huang also pointed out the growing popularity of "Made in Taiwan" face masks among international travelers, with bubble tea and beef noodle masks leading sales. Health supplements such as night enzymes, fish oil, and collagen powder are also in high demand. Despite a significant drop in tourist numbers in the second quarter due to the April earthquake in Hualien, the numbers have started to recover, albeit not yet reaching pre-earthquake levels.
atsons currently operates 580 stores across Taiwan and plans to expand to 600 by the first half of next year, continuing its market expansion efforts. As the leading health and beauty retailer in Asia, Watsons is part of the Watsons Group, which boasts a presence in 16 markets across Asia, Europe, and the Middle East, operating over 8,000 stores.
