Watsons expands 'Greener Stores' in BGC

Watsons, the Philippines' leading health, wellness, and beauty retailer, continues to raise the bar for sustainable retail by launching four new Greener Stores in Bonifacio Global City (BGC). The move marks a significant step forward in the company's commitment to environmental responsibility, building on the success of its first Greener Store in San Pedro, Laguna, launched in June 2024.

The newly transformed Watsons branches in BGC High Street Plaza, Eco Tower, Bonifacio Technology Center, and Forbeswood Parklane are now energy-efficient retail spaces designed with sustainability in mind. These Greener Stores aim to reduce carbon emissions, conserve water, minimize landfill waste, and promote the use of sustainable materials — all while making greener choices more accessible to Filipino consumers.

"Our vision is to create more Watsons Greener Stores, reducing our environmental impact and embedding sustainability into our daily operations. This transformation is not just about infrastructure but about fostering a culture of sustainability," said Sharon Decapia, senior assistant vice president for marketing, PR & Sustainability at Watsons Philippines.

Each Greener Store integrates eco-friendly features such as LED lighting, inverter appliances, Forest Stewardship Council FSC (FSC)- and Program for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC)- certified fixtures, and the use of Solidus board materials in place of traditional PVC signage. Smart meters and energy-efficient systems help reduce electricity usage, and carbon footprints are further offset through Energy Attribute Certificates (EACs).

"We champion sustainability through our practices at Watsons as a company with our efforts geared towards reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, reducing plastic waste, harnessing renewable energy via solar panels and Energy Attribute Certificates," said Alisandrea Coloma, senior manager for PR & Sustainability at Watsons, in her speech.

She added, "We believe that small actions compounded have a great impact. So we call on each and everyone of you, together, let's work hand in hand to do what is best for the planet."

In an interview, Decapia explained why BGC was the ideal location for the next wave of Greener Stores.

"We realized that BGC is the perfect venue to launch Greener Store because as you can see, the environment is very eco-friendly, so we just want to make sure that our Green Stores are more accessible to our customers, to really inspire them to go green living," Decapia said.

"The store itself was really designed to be sustainable — from the lights that we use, the power is more sustainable and even the refrigerators, it's more on the basics. Nothing too groundbreaking but making sure that we follow more sustainable standards. Of course, more choices of sustainable products because when you study the market, the profile also of the BGC customers, they are the ones who are not just hoping but clamoring for more options," she added.

Customer involvement plays a key role in the initiative. Watsons encourages shoppers to bring their own bags and take part in the Recycle for Rewards program, where they can return empty beauty and personal care bottles in exchange for shopping points, vouchers, or gifts. In-store materials and signage also aim to educate customers about sustainability, empowering them to make better choices with every visit. Store personnel are also trained on topics such as occupational health and safety, energy-saving practices, and waste management. Fixtures in the stores are designed to be reusable and transferable, further minimizing waste in operations.

Beyond eco-conscious infrastructure and practices, Watsons is focused on product accessibility.

"We did our research — people want more sustainable products to adapt to a more sustainable lifestyle but first, where are these located? Second, they have this impression that sustainable is expensive. But what we're offering is the range already. There are more affordable options, including our own exclusive brands like Watsons and Naturals by Watsons — good quality but up to 80 percent less expensive than branded ones," Decapia explained.

Watsons' Greener Store initiative also includes a curated section for Sustainable Choices products, ranging from Clean Beauty and Better Ingredients to Refill Packs and Better Packaging, offering alternatives for shoppers seeking to reduce their environmental footprint.

Currently, five Watsons branches nationwide carry the full Greener Store designation, but the company aims to double that number by the end of the year.

As Watsons continues to expand its sustainability initiatives, it invites consumers to join the movement — whether by shopping at a Greener Store or making everyday eco-conscious decisions.

To learn more about Watsons' sustainability efforts, visit any Watsons store nationwide or shop conveniently via the Watsons App.