Be a Watsons Switcher and Save up to 80% on your purchases

It was about two years ago, when I first started to become a regular at Watsons SM North. That was when I discovered that they have been selling their generics line.  I started to switch my branded glutathione to their generic. (I have been taking glutathione for wellness, not for whitening but I have noticed considerably evened smooth skin as side effect). It has the same efficacy and quality at an amazingly affordable price. I actually saved 80% of what I paid for compared to Japanese Gluta brand that I have been using for 4 years. That's a lot of savings.  Now,  I dont need to go to a different pharmacy for my multivitamins, medicines and antibiotics.

The savings I got I bought toiletries on their Buy One Take One promo.  Then I chanced upon Naturals Watsons Argan Oil Shampoo.

Aside from their Glutathione tablets, their Argan Oil Shampoo is the best and affordable Argan Oil shampoo in the market today. It is paraben free, detangles and made my hair thicker. Plus I love its relaxing floral smell. This helps a lot with my colored treated hair.

Watsons PH recently launched the Switch and Save TVC with its newest Celebrity Mom endorser Kylie Padilla on March 16 at Makati Shangri-la together with Watsons five celebrity endorsers Christian Bautista, Tessa Prieto-Valdes, Iya Villana, Lorna Tolentino, and Edu Manzano. Watsons executives, Ms. Karen Fabres Group Marketing Manager Watsons, Ms. Viki Encarnacion Watsons Marketing Director and Krisel Macatangay Watsons Marketing Manager graced the launch.

Kylie Padilla

Tessa Prieto Valdes

Lorna Tolentino

Iya Villania

Edu Manzano

It was an afternoon full of fun with the Watsons Celebrity endorsers as they played Switcher's Feud with the selected bloggers/media while Watsons celebrity ambassador Edu Manzano hosted the game.

Everyone competed to name the most popular responses to survey questions on Watsons products posted on LED display screen.

Five years ago, the country’s economy was going through unstable times. Consumers were faced with tightening budgets, forced to choose where they would spend and where they would cut down. Watsons wanted help. So in 2012, they launched the “Switch & Save” campaign, an educational effort that showed smart shoppers how to save on their personal care essentials in order to afford more of the things they really wanted. All they had to do was shift from the leading brand to the Watsons brand.

Ms. Karen Fabres, Watsons Group Marketing Manager 

Krisel Macatangay Watsons Marketing Manager.

Ms. Viki Encarnacion Watsons Marketing Director

In those first years, the simple idea proved a smashing success. Watsons customers all across the country made the switch, changing out their toothbrushes, tissues, lotions and more for the affordable, high quality Watsons alternative. With such great momentum behind the movement, they decided to expand the campaign to the pharmacy. Launching Watsons Generics in 2014, Watsons was able to bring that same promise of affordable quality to Filipinos everywhere. Improving the state of nation’s healthcare was a huge win.

But even with so many switchers on board, not everyone seemed to be convinced. The notion that “cheaper means lower quality” had some shoppers resisting the change. Yet the Watsons team knew the truth- that with their products’ amazing quality, most people wouldn’t even feel the difference. That’s when a big idea was born- The Switch Test. The team would mount an in-store activity that asked shoppers to compare Watsons to the leading brands. The hitch- they’d have to do it blind. Without being able to see the brands, customers were asked to try out two products and choose the one they would rather buy.

From body scrubs to hair irons, shoppers felt their way through the Watsons selection, and the results were overwhelming.

8 out of 10 shoppers chose the Watsons Label product over the leading branded counterpart, an amazing testament to Watsons quality. But the surprises didn’t end there. When informed of the savings they could get with Watsons Label, the remaining shoppers who at first chose the leading brands were also convinced to make the switch. With results like these, the team knew that they were on to something big. The next challenge was to bring the same experience to more people.

Watsons Karen Fabres, Danilo Chiong, Jared De Guzman, Viki Encarnacion, Aida Lapez with Edu Manzano, Lorna Tolentino, Iya Villania, Kylie Padilla and Christian Bautista



Gathering together Watsons six celebrity endorsers (Christian Bautista, Tessa Prieto-Valdes, Iya Villana, Kylie Padilla, Lorna Tolentino, and Edu Manzano), they put them all to the Switch Test. Running the same blind test used in stores, Watsons asked each of the celebs the simple question, “What’s the difference between these two products?” Their verdict- none! Not even our discerning endorsers could tell the difference between Watsons products quality and the leading brands’. There was, however, one big change they all noted. If you switch to Watsons, you can save up to 80%.

With so much more waiting to happen this 2017, Watsons will be kick starting the year through the launch of the new Switch and Save TV commercial. Catch it and see if you can tell the difference between a Watsons brand and your brand, or if you too will be convinced to Switch and Save!

Switch and Save at Watson's and get a Switcher's Surprise!

Did you know that you can actually save thousands of pesos in shopping money, simply by studying those labels and taking note of their prices? Unfortunately, doing that requires a lot of time, not to mention a lot of effort in comparing each brand one by one. But hey if you are really eyeing that new phone, or saving up for that overdue vacation, every peso counts right?

Thankfully, I found a better, and easier way to save money and enjoy my shopping at the same time-- and I discovered that during my regular trips to Watsons!


Before, I was just kind of an occassional  "smart shopper". You know, the time you only consider about trying to save as much when you want to buy something? In my case, its always been bags, so whenever I find a bag I really like that is the only time I become very meticulous (translate: kuripot when shopping)

It was about two years ago, when I first started to become a regular at Watsons SM North. During the first few times I just went there to buy a few things like toiletries and some personal care items  But as I began to spend more time in the store, I discovered that they had a lot of equivalent item for the branded ones that i bought.

So how do you save at watsons?  By making the Switch and Save of course!

First, its all about convenience, since Watsons stores are located strategically whether you are commuting to or from work, or even if you are driving your own car, they have almost 400 stores all over the country so its easy to find one near you, so you dont have to make that extra stop or make an effort to find one.

Second,  Watsons Label products takes out the guesswork when finding quality products. With over a hundred years of pharmacy experience and recognized as one of Asia's leading retailer, you are assured that you get quality products just by their brand.

Third, Watsons label products are priced considerably lower, and you can save as much as 60 to even 80 percent on their items as compared to other brands.  Not to mention their have a lot of buy 1 take one offers.

Last year they even launched their own generics line so I dont need to go to a different pharmacy for my multivitamins and medicines/ antibiotics as well!

This year, Watsons’ further rewards smart shoppers who have made the SWITCH and SAVE with the SWITCHER’S SURPRISE campaign. The Switcher’s Surprise campaign brings to life the idea that by switching to Watsons label, customers are able to save money for things that they really want or that matters the most to them.

Last January 26 and January 28, several shoppers at the SM Mall of Asia had a double surprise waiting for them simply by making the switch and choosing Watsons Label products. These include a wide range of selected products from personal care to generic medicines likeWatsons Glutathione, Watsons Travel Hair Dryer, Watsons Argan Oil Hair Conditioner, Watsons Body Scrub, Watsons Collagen, and Watsons Breath Strips, among others.

During designated hours of the day, shoppers who pick up specially marked Watsons Label products instantly get the chance to win fabulous prizes, such as a flatscreen TV, a Macbook Air, and a trip for 2 to Hong Kong!

The lucky shoppers were guided to a specially designed booth where they get their surprise – a most coveted prize personally handed by celebrity endorsers Lorna Tolentino, Iya Villania, Tessa Prieto-Valdes, Patty Laurel-Filart and Christian Bautista!

“On top of the savings they get from purchasing Watsons Label products, our loyal shoppers have also gotten used to receiving cute items and tokens, so this year we decided to raise the stakes and reward them with something truly unforgettable,” says Karen Fabres, Group Marketing Manager of Watsons Philippines

“Could it be a weekend staycation, airline tickets, maybe a shiny new gadget or phone or it could be the luxury item they have long been saving for, that is what makes the Switcher Surprise even more exciting,” adds Fabres.

“Our customers shop at Watsons to save on the things they really want in life, but with the Switcher Surprise promo, they might just bring home that thing they’ve saving up for with but a single purchase!” It’s definitely a lot easier to enjoy what life has to offer when you choose to Switch and Save the Watsons way.”

For Iya and Patty, Watsons has become their go-to place for their beauty and skincare needs as well as toiletries saying they get the same quality as branded ones but at a more affordable price.

Socialite and self-confessed Tessa on the other hand says she realized that she’s saving even more by buying bigger sizes and more quantity, “so the more I shop the more I actually save!”

Even the men are also discovering Watsons as the idea; place to get their personal care needs, just like Christian Bautista, “There’s always a Watsons conveniently located near you and because of its organized store layout you can easily find what you need quicker.”

As the newest addition to the Watson’s family, Lorna advises making the switch to Watsons Generics. “Women at any age need to keep themselves looking and feeling healthy and with Watsons Generics you are guaranteed to get quality medicine and even save as much as 80 percent!”

Watsons Label believes that with more value from hard-earned money spent on quality affordable products, every Filipino gets more savings to enjoy the other important things in life with their loved ones. With a wider variety of products, from personal care items, beauty essentials, and now medicine, Asia’s leading personal care store provides smart shoppers the choice to save as much as 80 percent without compromising on quality.


In addition to Switcher Surprise, Watson also has the ongoing Buy 2 Take 1 Promo on selected Watsons Label Products until March 2016.

Switch and Save to Watsons Quality Generic Medicine

I visit Watsons every month when my vitamins ran out of stock (or looking for a quality substitute for Berocca (my savior vitamin) in a tablet form)    I know as I could feel it out, that I would collapse anytime without my vitamin maintenance. I usually keep a thousand every month to buy up for my vitamins (Grapeseed oil, vitamin C, Vitapack)   I have been shopping for Watsons for over 6 years now. I have mastered every promo they had for the buying public. Like when you buy two by 10s of Berocca, you get to pay 50% for the third one.

For their Switch & Save Promo, my father who used to buy his anti hypertensive branded medicines from the other drugstore. made a switch to Watsons Generics and saved up to 80% of his medicine bills.  That's a lot of savings coming from my father who used to spend around php9000 for his olol anti hypertensive and anti cholesterol meds now pay up to only php2000 for his maintenance.

Watsons, the number one pharmacy retail brand in Asia* recently launched its celebrity endorsers Edu Manzano and Lorna Tolentino along with Watsons Generic line last August 25 at Watsons SM Moa.

It gives Filipino families more options for high quality but affordable medicines as it strengthens its branded generics line.

For families on a tight budget, healthcare often takes a backseat to more basic needs such as food, and paying the bills. Based on a recent study done by Nielsen, a Filipino family spends only 5 percent of its income for medicines and health-related services.

 

With Watsons Generics, Filipinos do not need to choose between SAVINGS and QUALITY as it assures customers of quality medicine backed by over 170 years of pharmaceutical experience while giving them as much as 80 percent in savings.

The generic drugs carried by Watsons Generics are all manufactured by trusted pharmaceutical partners and undergo a 5-step quality assurance process.
 

“We aim to help families by giving them more healthcare options and the ability to purchase affordable, high-quality medicines. This will not just give them access to quality healthcare products, they will also be able to focus their finances on other important matters,” said Danilo Chiong, Health Business Unit Director of Watsons.

The Watsons Generics line includes maintenance medicines for diabetes, hypertension and cholesterol, antibiotics to fight off the common bacteria, dietary supplements for skin enhancement, anti-ageing and over-all wellness, basic vitamins, oral analgesics, and other over the counter medicines.

“In the Philippines, Watsons has always been known for our branded beauty products, but with the launch of Watsons Generics our customers now don’t have to go elsewhere to buy their medicine,” says Karen Fabres, Watsons senior marketing manager.

THE SWITCH CONTINUES

Following the successful Switch and Save campaigns of Tessa Prieto-Valdes, Patty Laurel-Filart, Iya Villania-Arellano and Christian Bautista, the brand takes the campaign further by including Watsons Generics ambassadors as Edu Manzano and Lorna Tolentino in its store visit campaign.

It is through their influence that Filipinos can be educated about their different health options, which will promote Watsons drive to address the gaps of health literacy in the country.

As two of the most respected names in the Philippine entertainment industry for decades and Edu and Lorna’s endorsements have had a great impact on spreading awareness of Watsons Generics line.

The two celebrities surprised shoppers at the SM Mall of Asia as they proudly wore the Watsons uniform and helped shoppers choose the best value products especially at the pharmacy section.

They even played a mini-game where shoppers were asked several questions and given the choice between SAVINGS or QUALITY.

“We launched a new TVC last month with the same story that challenges you - when it comes to
choosing medicines, are you for SAVINGS or QUALITY? And how you can get both simply by buying Watsons Generics. You can save up to 80% and get over 170 years of pharmacy experience on its wide range of quality medicines,” relates Edu.

But more than their influence, Edu and Lorna are also role models when it comes to being proactive about taking care of one’s health.

“As we age, we have to take extra care of our bodies, so I make sure that I have a stock of Watsons Multivitamins + Iron regularly to boost my immune system. In the mornings I have the Calamansi Flavored Psyllium Fiber thats tangy and good for digestion,” the actor added.

“For my body pains, I take Watsons Generics Paracetamol especially kapag pagod at puyat from tapings.”

Edu also suggests the Cranberry capsules which is suitable for urinary tract infection and Luyang Dilaw for overall wellness.

Just like Edu, Lorna, takes vitamins regularly, “to boost my immune system, I take Ascorbic Acid, especially now na tag-ulan dahil mas madali tayo magkasakit and siyempre kapag puyatan sa taping or shooting.

To maintain her youthful glowing skin, Lorna credits Watsons Glutathione, Vitamin E and Hyaluron Collagen Powder. “Kailangan healthy and beautiful ka rin from the inside,” the grandslam actress revealed.

Just like the Watsons’ celebrity ambassadors you too can maximize your purchasing power allowing you to properly take care of your health and spend more on the things you really want in life.

Switch and Save to affordable Watsons Generics

Watsons a leading pharmacy retail brand in Asia recently launched its own line of multivitamins and medicines Watsons Generics last August 7, 2014 at Manila Peninsula together with its new ambassadors Lorna Tolentino and Edu Manzano.  They are admitted to switching from their branded multivitamins to Watsons generics before becoming its endorsers. Lorna Tolentino have tried Glutathione and Milk Thistle with Alpha Lipoic Acid and Vitamin B1+ B6 + B12 and among others. Edu Manzano on the other hand have tried the Vitamin B1, B6 and B12 as well. They told the guests and media that they are happy with the healthy switch and is living a healthy lifestyle.

 Watsons Generics also held a free medical consultation on that day, free blood sugar test, blood pressure monitoring and BMI test, and provided free medicines to those who have suffered from illnesses such as diabetes and mild hypertension.

Health literacy remains to be a key health challenge not only in the Philippines but around the world, even in developed countries. With literacy and health both recognized as fundamental components of pursuing health and well being of the society according to World Health Organization, medical and health industry leaders highlight a new collaborative framework to help address the low health literacy in the country.

At the launch of Watsons Generics, Dr. Anthony Leachon, President of the Philippine College of Physicians, emphasized that health literacy plays a critical role in addressing the dismal health situation of Filipinos including poor health and high risk of hospitalization.

“There still are many gaps that need to be addressed to improve health literacy in the country. Poverty and lack of education remain to be some of biggest contributors that prevent patients to communicate, understand health information, and subsequently make sound decisions about their health. What we need is a pragmatic approach toward health literacy—not only involving the doctor and patient but also the pharmacist and product,” shared Dr. Leachon.

He further explained that the best way to address these gaps is to use a practical framework that illustrates how the physician, patient, pharmacist and product can work together to create a more health literate community. “Ultimately, health literacy is achieved when patients and providers truly understand each other,” he added.

Watsons Generics prides itself for maintaining highly trained pharmacists in all of its branches nationwide. These pharmacists aim to support consumers with their medical decisions, particularly in purchasing medicines and adhering to the doctor’s prescription.

“Pharmacists must do their part in educating the public through conversations with customers. The well being of our customers is at the core of everything we do, and by entering the generics industry, we enable Filipinos to remain vigilant in their decision-making process when it comes to their health care,” Chiong added.

Aside from making health information accessible to the public through its pharmacists, Watsons also empowers consumers with the launch of its own generics medicine line. The Watsons Generics line will offer a wide array of medicines and supplements that are manufactured by trusted partners to ensure that all products are of high quality, safe and effective while maintaining its affordability. By providing quality generic medicines to the public, Watsons aims to build trust amongst its consumers and encourage them to be more proactive on maintaining their health.


“We believe that the public and private sectors can collaboratively develop solutions to mitigate this problem of low health literacy. The new product line of Watsons Generics is a testament of our commitment to give the public more options so they can take control of their health,” said Danilo Chiong, Health Business Director of Watsons.

In its initial launch, Watsons Generics will offer a wide variety of over-the-counter medicines, supplements, and maintenance drugs that addresses common ailments, illnesses, and lifestyle needs of Filipinos. Watsons was a pharmacy first with over 170 years of pharmacy experience, and continues to lead the industry as Asia’s no. 1 pharmacy retail brand for five consecutive years according to Campaign Asia.