185th Anniversary

The retail landscape has transformed dramatically—from bustling open markets to seamless O+O stores. The transformation of cashiers, price labels, and shopping bags reflects how retail has adapted to new technology, changing regulations, and shifting customer expectations.

Cashier

Price Label

The Evolution of the

Cashier

In the earliest retail days, cashiers used manual tills, money boxes, or even pulley systems to transfer cash securely. Transactions were calculated mentally, recorded by hand, and receipts were rare.

As retail developed in the 1970s, retail experienced a major transition in cashiering, beginning with the use of mechanical cash registers. Sales were recorded mechanically on a printed tape and receipts were provided.

When retail entered the modernisation era, electronic cash registers and barcode scanning became standard in retail stores. AS Watson introduced computerised POS systems and barcode technology, making checkout quicker and more reliable for customers.

Today, cashiers are aided by self-checkout kiosks, mobile payments, and contactless terminals that make transactions faster and smoother. Shopping is no longer confined to physical stores; customers can shop through mobile apps anytime, anywhere. Speed and convenience are now at the heart of the retail experience.

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The Evolution of the

Price Label

Price labeling has evolved significantly over the years. In the early days, handwritten price tags were common, often made from handmade paper and manually attached to products.

In 1970s, price label machines became common in retail stores. These handheld devices allowed staff to print and apply adhesive price tags efficiently, replacing slower manual labeling.

As we moved into 1980s, modern retail saw barcodes and printed labels become widespread, making product prices clearer and more consistent across busy stores.

Today, in the digital age, electronic shelf labels and QR codes now allow instant price updates and detailed information at the shelf. Our brands synchronise physical and online price updates, making transparency and convenience standard for customers.

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The Evolution of the

Shopping Bag

Shopping bags have seen considerable changes over the years.

In the 1980s and 1990s, branded plastic shopping bags gained popularity, offering convenience for customers and enhanced visibility for retailers.

As awareness of sustainability increased in the 2000s, a shift began. In 2006, AS Watson joined the government’s voluntary agreement to cut plastic bag distribution in Hong Kong. We began introducing biodegradable plastic options and reusable shopping bags, encouraging customers to make greener choices.

Nowadays, customers are encouraged to bring their own bags, or choose from branded totes and fabric carriers available at checkout – All part of AS Watson’s commitment to promoting and inspiring a more sustainable lifestyle.

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The Evolution of the

Toothpaste

Tooth cleaning originally used tooth powder: fine, dry blends of ground minerals and herbs such as soap beans, ginger, lotus leaves, and rock salt, rubbed directly onto teeth in a loose, unstructured format. Later, these powders were increasingly sold in branded tins and jars, reflecting Western-style commercial packaging in pharmacies.

From the early 1900s, the format shifted from loose powder to smooth toothpaste in collapsible tubes, which felt cleaner, easier to handle. By the 1950s, mint flavoured, detergent based, and later fluoride containing toothpastes had become daily necessities worldwide, and paste in tubes was firmly established as the global standard.

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The Evolution of the

Face Cleansing

Face cleansing has evolved from basic soap to a wide range of specialised, skin friendly products. In the past, most people simply washed their faces with traditional bar soap made from fats and alkalis, which cleaned well but often stripped natural oils and left skin feeling tight or dry. Later, cold creams and cleansing creams provided a gentler option by dissolving makeup and dirt with rich emulsions instead of strong soap.

Today, cleansing is highly customised: foaming washes, low foam gels, cleansing oils, balms, and micellar waters are tailored to different skin types and concerns such as sensitivity, acne or dryness. Modern formulas focus on balancing effective cleansing with barrier care, using milder, moisturising and soothing ingredients, and increasingly “clean”, fragrance free, and eco conscious packaging.

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The Evolution of the

Blush

Blush has transformed from simple natural stains into today’s sophisticated colour cosmetics. In early beauty rituals, people stained their cheeks with crushed minerals and plant dyes such as red ochre, cinnabar, berries, and flower petals, often mixed with oils or fats to help the colour adhere, though some mineral ingredients were irritating or even toxic. Later, more purified pigments were developed, allowing smoother, more consistent colour in loose powders and cakes.

Today, blush has become available as powders, creams, liquids, sticks, and tints in a wide shade range to suit different skin tones and finishes. Modern formulas use safer synthetic and plant based pigments, and growing emphasis on natural looking results, cruelty free formulas, and cleaner ingredient lists.

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The Evolution of the

Perfume

Perfume has transformed from sacred incense to everyday personal luxury. In the old days, fragrance was mainly burned as incense or applied as scented oils and resins for ritual, medicine, and social status, using materials like myrrh, frankincense, flowers, and woods.

By the 1800s, alcohol based perfumes and colognes in Europe had evolved into fashionable personal scents, boosted by advances in distillation, global trade in botanicals, and later the invention of synthetic aroma chemicals, which made fragrances more stable and affordable. Today, perfume is a branded lifestyle product tied to fashion and celebrity, and the market spans from mass to niche, with a strong focus on storytelling, personal identity, and increasingly sustainable ingredients and refillable packaging.

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The Evolution of the

Shampoo

In the earliest days of retail, people relied on multi-purpose soaps made from fats and alkalis, which cleaned hair but were harsh, stripping natural oils and leaving it dull. As dedicated shampoos emerged, powdered formulas and early liquids still used soap like bases, but added fragrances and herbal extracts to improve sensorial feel. By the mid 20th century, synthetic detergents such as surfactants replaced soap, delivering richer lather, easier rinsing, and targeted benefits like dandruff control, conditioning, and colour protection.

Today, advanced formulations combine milder surfactants, conditioning polymers, oils, and actives to cleanse gently while addressing specific scalp concerns, hair types, and sustainability expectations.

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The Evolution of the

All-purpose Cream

In early time, families relied on simple salves made with petrolatum, animal fats, waxes and herbs, using one jar for chapped hands, minor cuts and nappy rash, guided mainly by pharmacists’ advice. Over the mid 1900s, these “cure alls” evolved into more regulated all-purpose creams, combining occlusive bases with mild antiseptics, positioned as family first aid essentials. As modern skincare advanced, formulas became lighter, adding humectants, refined oils and soothing agents to suit daily use and sensitive skin.

Today, all-purpose creams reappear as SOS creams and multi purpose balms, often vegan, fragrance free and barrier repair focused, providing quick relief for dry, irritated or stressed skin in one convenient rescue product.

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The Evolution of the

Soda Water

Established in 1903, Watsons Water began by supplying safe, distilled drinking water. Over time, the portfolio expanded from still water to a range of aerated beverages — including Watson’s Soda Water, Lemonade, and Super Cola — becoming a familiar part of everyday life in Hong Kong. Its iconic embossed glass bottles were widely distributed, helping cement Watson’s reputation as a trusted provider of soft drinks and mixers.

Today, Watson’s Soda Water is positioned as a versatile, zero sugar fizzy option — enjoyable on its own or as a cocktail mixer — and continues to stay relevant through modern branding aimed at younger, health conscious consumers.