Watsons remains optimistic in changing consumer behavior towards refilling

For its affordability and convenience, many Filipinos opt to buy “tingi” or retail size of their favorite products.

With this preference comes options of personal and household products, among others, in sachets, which, unfortunately add to the number of single use plastics that end up in the environment.

Watsons Philippines Marketing Manager Patrick YuPatrick-Yu

“Philippines is one of the top plastic contributors in Asia, with 2.7 million tons of plastic annually and 20 percent ends up in the ocean,” Patrick Yu, Watsons Philippines marketing manager said in a recent media roundtable.

In addition, according to www.sea-circular.org, the country is also one of the world's top contributor in marine plastic pollution, with 0.28 to 0.75 million tons of plastic entering oceans from coastal areas in Manila Bay annually. The same site furthered that the Philippines uses almost 60 billion sachets a year.

Watsons also offers refill packs of its Naturals by Watsons products and of other brands.

These staggering numbers are among the reasons why Watsons Philippines have been offering refill packs and, recently, refilling stations to their Filipino consumers.

“We know that [use of] plastics can't be helped but we can also do our part in helping our planet. More Filipinos right now are becoming more aware of sustainability and sustainable living,” Yu said.

With the addition of its second refilling station at The Block SM City North Edsa, Watsons hopes to encourage consumers to practice refilling.

After the opening of Watsons' first Refill Station in SM Megamall store in late 2022, the health, wellness, and beauty retailer welcomed the year with its second Refill Station for Naturals by Watsons at The Block SM City North Edsa store.

“We hope to encourage more consumers to do good by reusing their plastic bottles, thereby reducing the use of plastic,” Yu furthered.

With two Refill Stations, customers can now conveniently refill their clean empty Naturals by Watsons bottles with their favorite variants: Aloe Vera Shampoo, Coffee Shampoo, Argan Shampoo, Olive Shampoo, and Aloe Vera Body Wash.

Empty bottles with screw caps are also available for purchase in the store, and customers can save up to 40 percent vs. regular bottles. Refill Station customers will also get a free sticker that they can customize. Only clean, dry, and empty Naturals by Watsons bottles can be refilled at the Refill Stations.

Besides helping the environment, consumers can also enjoy up to 40 percent savings when they opt to refill their products.

For those who cannot visit the Refill Stations, Watsons also offers refill packs of its Naturals by Watsons products as well as hundreds of refill packs from brands such Safeguard, Dove, Johnson's, Colgate, Gillette, Babyflo, Sunsilk, Luxe Organix, Head & Shoulders, and many others.

Refill packs are 40 percent cheaper than regular packs and they also produce 75 percent less plastic waste as compared to regular bottles. These refill packs are available in all Watsons stores and online via the Watsons App.

Yu admitted they launched the refill stations with a realistic expectation, knowing that Filipinos' preference cannot be changed overnight.

“We were actually worried how the market would respond to the Refill Station because number 1, they'd think it might be contaminated, that it might have a different product there or that they might feel short changed but surprisingly, our first refill station has been doing well and we hope our customers nearby SM North Edsa would have the same reception.”

Asked how the first refill station have performed, Yu proudly answered that the particular branch saw “a total brand sales uplift of 100 percent versus brand sales on regular stores.” It also affected the sale of refill pouches which saw 200 percent uplift.

With the promising numbers, Watsons might have five refilling stations by the end of the year but for now, Yu said they want to focus on the two branches that are ready to serve customers.

“We feel proud of the work that we've done so far. It's not about commercial [success], it's about what we can do for our present and future generations,” Yu ended.