Watsons, Asia’s prominent health and beauty retailer, officially opened its first store in Bahrain at Marassi Galleria Mall, marking its entry into the Bahraini market through a partnership with Al Futtaim. This move is part of Watsons’ ongoing expansion across the GCC, with additional store openings planned for Seef Mall and City Centre Bahrain later this year.

As a popular regional destination with a population of over 1.5 million and a strategic location near GCC markets, Bahrain has seen a steady rise in consumer spending, recording a 7% increase over the past five years. These factors contribute to Bahrain’s appeal as an emerging retail hub, a context that aligns with Watsons’ growth ambitions in the Gulf.

The new 1,350 sq. ft. store offers a wide selection of health, beauty, and personal care products from over 200 international and local brands. Customers can explore K-Beauty favorites such as Beauty of Joseon, Colorgram, and Holika Holika, alongside well-known global brands like L’Oréal, Maybelline, Revlon, and CosRx.

Exclusive Watsons brands, including Naturals by Watsons and Collagen by Watsons, will also be available, meeting the diverse needs of Bahrain’s consumers. Notably, the store will feature dedicated zones for natural and sustainable beauty products, reflecting a growing demand in Bahrain for clean and chemical-free options.

The store also introduces a hands-on open makeup area, allowing customers to experiment with various skincare and beauty products on-site. This setup aims to elevate the shopping experience by combining a broad product range with knowledgeable customer service.

Jonathan Watts, General Manager of Watsons, shared, “Our store in the capital will offer a wide range of health and beauty products, along with expert advice from our trained staff. We look forward to serving the local community and providing them with the best in personal care.”

To celebrate the launch, Watsons is rolling out promotions, including gifts for the first 200 customers and exclusive offers under the Blue Rewards program for the first 2,000 shoppers. The store will also provide convenient delivery options through local platforms talabat and Namshi.