1828

The Canton Dispensary, the forerunner of A.S. Watson, opened in Guangzhou , China

1841

Operations extended to Hong Kong , the company founded the Hong Kong Dispensary.

1862

The name A.S. Watson (after Dr. Alexander Skirving Watson who joined the company as Manager in 1858) began to feature prominently with the Hong Kong Dispensary.

1869

Hong Kong Dispensary was being appointed as the Hong Kong Governor’s and the Duke of Edinburgh ’s chemist.

1871

The Hong Kong Dispensary was traded under the name A.S. Watson & Company.

1883

A.S. Watson expanded overseas to the Philippines and China ; established a pharmacy and a soft drink factory (1884) in Manila .

1895

A.S. Watson operated 35 stores and produced about 300 dispensary, toiletry and perfumery lines.

1910

To concentrate resources and energy, A.S. Watson closed all branches in China and the Philippines .

1937

The Japanese invasion of China halted Watson's China operations.

1941

A.S. Watson celebrated centenary just months before the Japanese attack and the fall of Hong Kong on 13th December.

1945

A.S. Watson resumed business on 1st September.

1963

Hutchison Group acquired a controlling interest in A.S. Watson & Co., Ltd.

1981

A.S. Watson became a wholly owned subsidiary of Hutchison Whampoa Limited with 75 retail food and non-food outlets.

1987

Watson's The Chemist expanded to Taiwan , Macau and Singapore (1988), Malaysia (1994), Thailand (1996), Philippines (2002).

1989

Watson's The Chemist reopened in China .

- Watsons Your Personal Store opened its Asia 's first 3rd generation store at Pacific Place , Hong Kong. 

 - Watsons extends the 3rd generation store concept to Taiwan .

- Watsons announced a proposed acquisition of Apex Pharmacy Sdn Bhd from Apex Healthcare Bhd.

- Watsons opened its 50th pharmacy counter in Hong Kong .

- Watsons and leading Korean retail company LG Mart., Co. announced a joint venture to launch Watsons in Korea in early 2005.

- Watsons celebrated its 100th store in Mainland China and 300th store in Taiwan .

- 1st "Watsons" health & beauty store opened in Korea .

- Watsons Your Personal Store opened its first store in Estonia .

 - Opened the first Watsons Your Personal Store in Indonesia and Slovenia .

- Watsons celebrated its 200th store in Mainland China in June.

- Watsons Your Personal Store launched Watsons Academy in Asia to further strengthen store staff training.

 - A.S. Watson retail brands around the world unveiled new store concepts to improve customer shopping experience, including Watsons Your Personal Store in Asia, Marionnaud in France and Switzerland, Kruidvat and Trekpleister in the Benelux, Superdrug Health Store in the UK.

- Watsons Your Personal Store in Taiwan launched its membership card to improve customer bonding.

- Watsons Your Personal Store in Mainland China , Singapore and Thailand , launched its membership card.

- Watsons membership card reached 5 million members in Mainland China .

- Watsons Your Personal Store opened its 500 th store in China .