In a strategic move to deepen its footprint across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), AS Watson Group and Al-Futtaim Group have launched a brand-new flagship Watsons store at City Centre Bahrain Mall. The opening marks Watsons’ entry into the Bahraini market, joining existing locations in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), and Qatar. Impressively, this is the third Watsons store to open in Bahrain in just three months, showcasing the brand’s aggressive expansion strategy in the region.
Spanning 200 square meters, the newly opened store features a curated selection of over 200 local and international brands, divided across engaging zones to enhance the customer experience. From skincare to haircare, cosmetics to wellness essentials, the store is designed to meet the dynamic demands of today’s health and beauty shoppers.
A Young, Trend-Driven Market
According to AS Watson Group, Bahrain represents a high-growth market within the GCC, largely due to its youthful population, with over two-thirds under the age of 35. This demographic is highly engaged with beauty trends, influenced by social media, pop culture, and lifestyle shifts. As a result, consumer spending on personal grooming is rising steadily, and Watsons aims to meet that demand with premium products and elevated in-store experiences.
Dr. Malina Ngai, Group CEO at AS Watson Group, said:
“The expansion of Watsons’ health and beauty retail experience into Bahrain is an important milestone in our commitment to the GCC region. Just as important, this new flagship store further strengthens our partnership with Al-Futtaim Group to serve customers in this vibrant region where high quality beauty and health products are increasingly in demand.”
Simon Naga, Vice President at Al-Futtaim Group, added:
“The opening is a testament to our commitment to enhancing customer experiences across the region. As we continue to expand our footprint in the GCC market, we focus on delivering innovative retail solutions that meet the evolving needs of consumers.”
This strategic move aligns with Watsons’ broader mission to be a market leader in omnichannel retail by integrating physical stores with enhanced digital solutions, providing offline plus online (O+O) experiences across every touchpoint.
With continued investment in the Middle East and Asia, Watsons is not just building stores—it’s building lifestyle destinations, bridging global beauty trends with regional preferences.