BW Confidential, a prominent international beauty industry trade media, is gearing up for an eventful week at the TFWA World Exhibition & Conference. The week will encompass the launch of their first-ever Awards, The Beauty Party event, and sponsorship of the TFWA i.lab.

The Beauty Retailer of the Year Award by BW Confidential will be bestowed upon A.S. Watson, while Malina Ngai, CEO (Asia & Europe) of A.S. Watson, will be honored for her visionary leadership and contributions to the group's success with the 'Executive of the Year' Award.

These awards acknowledge excellence in retail, with a strong emphasis on innovation, technology, customer relationship management (CRM), sustainability, and a deep understanding of customer needs. The selections for these awards were made by BW Confidential's editorial team with input from key industry executives.

A.S. Watson Group, the world's largest international health and beauty retailer, operates over 16,100 stores across 28 markets, reporting revenue of US$22 billion for the fiscal year 2022.

Malina Ngai joined A.S. Watson from its parent company, CK Hutchison, in 2001. She assumed the role of Group COO in December 2013 and became CEO in November 2019. Her contributions include formulating the company's customer and digital strategy, driving digital transformation, establishing robust data analytics capabilities, and forging strategic partnerships with international suppliers and technology companies.

BW Confidential Editor in Chief Oonagh Phillips commends A.S. Watson's resilience and progress, particularly in the face of the pandemic. The company has expanded its footprint, introduced consumer-focused beauty tech innovations, and adopted an "0+0 strategy" that seamlessly integrates offline and online experiences to adapt to evolving customer preferences and remain relevant.

The awards will be presented to Malina Ngai during BW Confidential's The Beauty Party, scheduled for the evening of October 2 at the Majestic Hotel.

BW Confidential's The Beauty Party has become a significant event in the beauty industry's calendar, aiming to unite global beauty community stakeholders, including brands, retailers, distributors, and fragrance players. This year, The Beauty Party is organized in collaboration with Qatar Duty Free and enjoys sponsorship from key players in the industry.

Additionally, BW Confidential proudly supports the TFWA i.lab, an innovation zone at the TFWA World Exhibition & Conference. The i.lab showcases travel-retail industry innovations across various domains, including digital traveler engagement, in-store solutions, data analytics, sustainability, social initiatives, and traveler services.

The BW Confidential Magazine for October-December 2023 will be available at the Cannes show, featuring an interview with A.S. Watson CEO Malina Ngai, special reports on the global fragrance sector, beauty in Europe's Big-5 markets, and a category watch for beauty in travel retail, featuring insights from key retailers. Copies of the magazine can be found at the press racks in the Palais des Festivals.