CKH HOLDINGS(HK:00001) Xin Jing Bao·2025-10-18 20:43Core Viewpoint - Watsons is accelerating its transformation in response to fierce competition from e-commerce platforms and the rise of new beauty retail formats, seeking a "revival strategy" [2] Management Changes - On November 1, 2023, Pan Meiling will succeed Li Jiale as the Managing Director of Hong Kong Watsons, with Li continuing as a business advisor until December 2025 [3] - The new appointee, Pan Meiling, has over 20 years of experience in the fast-moving consumer goods and retail sectors, and is expected to leverage her market knowledge to drive team performance [3] - The Hong Kong Retail CEO, Qu Wenhui, who took office in March 2023, aims to enhance customer experience across over 500 O+O (offline and online) stores in Hong Kong [3] Digital Transformation and O+O Strategy - The term "O+O" has been frequently mentioned in the context of Watsons' digital transformation, which aims to seamlessly integrate offline and online platforms to enhance consumer shopping experiences [5] - Watsons is focusing on digital channels and platforms to establish closer communication with consumers, utilizing its store network and service teams [5] Financial Performance - In the first half of 2025, Watsons' retail division reported total revenue of HKD 98.84 billion, an 8% year-on-year increase, with the health and beauty segment contributing HKD 87.86 billion, accounting for 89% of total revenue [6][9] - The health and beauty segment saw a 4.5% year-on-year increase in same-store sales, while EBITDA and EBIT improved, driven by strong performance in European and Asian markets, although the Chinese market showed weakness with a slight decline of 1% in same-store sales [7] - From 2022 to 2024, Watsons' health and beauty business in China experienced revenue declines of 23%, 6%, and 18%, respectively, with a 15.3% drop in same-store sales in 2024 [8] Store Operations - As of June 30, 2025, Watsons had 3,630 stores in China, down from 3,775 the previous year, reflecting a net closure of 145 stores due to the decision to close underperforming locations [11] - The company is expanding its "back-end stores," which serve as small order fulfillment centers for online orders, increasing from 131 to 394 stores in the first half of the year [11]