Watsons China will set up its Xinjiang Headquarters in the Urumqi State High-tech Zone (New District) as the first international upscale personal care chain enterprise in the zone, with the strategic partnership agreement signed on Thursday.

At the signing ceremony, Hao Jianming, head of the zone, said that trade and logistics is a fundamental and guiding component of the national economy and a key element of modern services.

The two parties hold a meeting at the ceremony on June 2. [Photo/ uhdz.gov.cn]

He noted that the settlement of Watsons filled the gap of international upscale personal care chain enterprises in the region, was of significance to the zone's goal to be a Central Asian trade platform and international trading center and consumer platform, and will help attract more global brands to invest in the zone.

Hao promised that the zone would provide favorable conditions and quality service for the enterprise.

The Urumqi State High-tech Zone (New District) and Watsons China sign the strategic partnership agreement for a Xinjiang Watsons headquarters on June 2. [Photo/ uhdz.gov.cn]

Christian Nothhaft, CEO of Watsons China and PARKnSHOP, said that in Xinjiang, the strategic core of the "Silk Road Economic Belt", the consumer market has developed rapidly and locals now have high expectations for an up-scale life and shopping experience, which has given Watsons the confidence to tap the market.

The company plans to open three to five stores in Urumqi, and more in other Xinjiang cities in the coming years, to better meet customer requirements.

Hao Jianmin, head of the Urumqi State High-tech Zone (New District), delivers a speech at the signing ceremony on June 2. [Photo/ uhdz.gov.cn]

Watsons Group is owned by Hong Kong multinational conglomerate CK Hutchison Holdings Limited. Established in HK, the group has grown into a world renowned health and beauty retailer. In 2015, there were 3 billion transactions in its 13 retail brands in physical and online stores.

Watsons has 12,400 stores in 25 countries and regions, with 5,200 in 12 European and Asian markets, and over 2,500 with 50 million members in more than 400 cities of the Chinese mainland. Through years of efforts and achievements, Watsons has stood out in the industry.

Christian Nothhaft, CEO of Watsons China and PARKnSHOP, introduces Watsons and the preparatory work for the Xinjiang headquarters. [Photo/ uhdz.gov.cn]

In recent years, to turn Urumqi into an international city the zone has excelled regionally in attracting foreign companies and capital. In 2015, the zone gained 205 million dollars of investment by foreign companies, accounting for 45 percent of Xinjiang’s total and 85 percent of Urumqi’s.

Earlier this year, hearing that Watsons was expanding to Western China, the zone immediately put together a team to contact the company and help it research and analyze the market. Its proactive services and professionalism finally won it the Xinjiang headquarters.

Shu Pucheng, member of the zone's standing committee, chaired the ceremony.

Edited by Peter Nordlinger