Watsons HK takes shoppers back in time with heritage store

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Watsons Hong Kong has opened a heritage concept store on Nathan Road in Yau Ma Tei to mark its 185th anniversary, turning the bustling district into a nostalgic hotspot for visitors and shoppers alike.

The store is inspired by AS Watson's legacy as Hong Kong's first pharmacy to introduce Western medicine and its evolution into Asia's leading online + offline (O+O) health and beauty retailer. It invites visitors to rediscover this journey in an immersive and photogenic setting, blending pharmacy heritage with modern lifestyle culture to become a destination that celebrates Hong Kong's shared memories.

Designed around the theme of a classic dispensary, the store features Watsons' signature green colour, a vintage gold signboard, and interiors inspired by traditional pharmacies. From patterned walls and arched structures to anniversary displays, vintage posters, and old-style signage, every corner offers a nostalgic glimpse into Hong Kong's pharmacy culture.

Tapping into the culture of photo-taking and social media sharing, the store features a variety of photo spots, including a vintage wooden medicine cabinet inspired by traditional dispensaries. This recreates the classic pharmacy setting and adds a rich heritage feel to the space.

Customers can also visit a retro vanity corner complete with a round mirror, wooden dressing table, and soft lighting, ideal for lifestyle shots. A vintage bathroom zone featuring retro tiles and curved architecture adds a playful, nostalgic twist to everyday personal care moments.

To further engage with visitors, Watsons has set up a retro newspaper photo booth, where shoppers can enjoy a free photo session with any in-store purchase. Participants can have their portrait taken and instantly printed as a personalised "front-page headline" – a fun and interactive touch that adds a memorable twist to the store visit.

To celebrate the opening, Watsons is releasing an exclusive collection featuring heritage collectibles, blind boxes, and limited-edition products. Highlights include the limited-edition “Watson” mascot “Watjai” (屈仔) plush series, which reimagines three signature Watsons brand icons in retro style; the “Love your organs” blind box collection also gives health concepts a creative twist, turning the five internal organs into adorable characters that can transform into super-cute Watjai figures.

Watsons has teamed up with household names such as Bioré, Colgate, and Darlie to introduce retro-themed packaging for everyday essentials and collectible items.

Other AS Watson Group retail brands, including PARKnSHOP, Fortress, and Watsons Water, have also joined the celebration with their own 185th anniversary limited editions. Highlights include lightbox-style magnets inspired by PARKnSHOP's iconic signage, a retro film camera from Fortress, and a vintage-style bottle opener from Watsons Water. All items are available exclusively at the heritage concept store first.

To celebrate the opening of the heritage concept store, Watsons brought a surprise street flash mob performance to the Nathan Road area in Mong Kok and Yau Ma Tei.