Page 8 - Sphere No.8 (Mar 2003)

SPHERE
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H U T C H I S O N U P D A T E S
Newsbites
R E T A I L & M A N U F A C T U R I N G
Hutchison Whampoa and Nestlé Waters in January signed
an agreement for the acquisition by Nestlé Waters of the
Powwow group, from A.S.Watson (ASW), a subsidiary of
HWL, for E 560 million.
Under ASW, the Powwow group started its European “Home
and Office Delivery” water business in September 1998. It
developed its activities across Western Europe through a series
of acquisitions and strong organic growth to become one of
the leading players in Europe.
With 1,500 employees in seven countries – France,
Germany, the Netherlands, the UK, Denmark, Italy and
Portugal – Powwow’s turnover in 2002 was E120 million.
The transaction is a result of a
major review of ASW’s European
businesses following its
acquisition of the Kruidvat
group, one of the largest health
and beauty chains in Europe.
ASW will continue its Asian
water and beverage businesses.
Priceline Offers More Sen – The New Face of Chinese Healthcare
Internet travel retailer
Hutchison-
Priceline
(Travel) has
embarked on
a major
expansion
drive designed
to revolutionise the breadth of its travel-
product choices in Asia.
The addition of these retail products
means visitors to priceline.com.hk and
priceline.com.sg will be presented with
two options that deliver significant travel
discounts.
Alongside its innovative Name Your
Own Price model, the company has
introduced a new range of discounted,
published-price travel products.These
include car rentals, via a special
partnership with Hertz Rent A Car
and hotel reservations via a tie-up with
octopustravel.com Ltd.
Powwow Sold to NestléWaters
Introducing a revolutionary new concept
that brings the art and science of
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to
the western world, Sen, a wholly owned
subsidiary of HWL, has opened its first
store in London’s bustling South Molton
Street.
The store’s emphasis is on expert
guidance that demystifies TCM in a way
that is accessible and relevant to modern
living without losing the ancient Chinese
artistry.
Fully qualified practitioners are on hand
to ensure all customers are given in-depth
product knowledge before any purchase.
There is also a Liquid Health Bar offering
customers caffeine-free alternatives to tea
and coffee. Beverages include green tea,
herbal teas and herbal juice mixes “for
the body, mind and spirit.”
More Sen stores will open in London this
year with a national and global launch
planned.The retail programme will also
include the sale of Sen products through
“shops within shops” in established
pharmacy and retail outlets.