Watsons Philippines, Mober team up for greener deliveries 

Watsons Philippines is taking a big leap in their sustainable initiatives for the planet, introducing electric vehicles (EV) into their logistics operations. 


During the official partnership launch on Aug. 14 at the Watsons LIIP Distribution Center in Biñan, Laguna, Watsons Philippines and Mober officially signed the agreement establishing a commitment towards cleaner alternatives in delivering products in the country. 

“Our partnership represents a pioneering step in the health and beauty retail industry. A first, demonstrating how electric mobility can be integrated into our everyday delivery operations,” said Sharon Decapia, Senior Assistant Vice President for Marketing and PR and Sustainability at Watsons Philippines.  

Watsons Philippines Managing Director Danilo Chiong said the partnership aligns with the brand’s philosophy of “Look Good, Do Good, Feel Great.” 

“Creating a more sustainable business requires more than just good intention, it requires action, innovation and partnership that turns commitments into everyday practice. As we help our customers look and feel their best, we also want to do our part for our people and our planet,” Chiong said.  

Mober Chief Executive Officer Dennis Ng said the partnership reflects the shift to more sustainable operations in how businesses operate. 

“By working with Watsons, we are demonstrating how electric logistics can support the movement of products efficiently while helping businesses reduce the environmental impact of their operations, ” Ng said. 
 

Small step in right direction Watsons Philippines is starting with four EV trucks supporting deliveries to its Metro Manila stores. The retailer aims to eventually expand the use of EV trucks across its nationwide logistics operations. 


“Start small, as they say. Ten percent of our total routes servicing the Manila area will be covered by the [EV] trucks, not just with Mober, but with others eventually,” Decapia shared. 

The shift has been in the works for several years, but she said the project became more feasible as EV infrastructure and logistics support improved in the country. 

“It helps that the infrastructure and logistics are now readily available. Before, the trucks were expensive, and then there were the charging stations. The rest of the retailers hopefully will follow soon to provide more impact,” she said. 

This year, the electric vehicles reported a total of 109 trips from March to May, saving approximately 656 kg of carbon emissions. 

When asked why Watsons Philippines tapped Mober as a partner for the venture, Decapia said they were looking for an innovative logistics partner at the forefront of the shift to EVs. 

“We know that most of our third-party logistics partners are already planning for it. We chose them because they were first and acted fast as well. They are also very open when it comes to our requirements,” Decapia said. 

Beyond sustainability, the shift to EVs was inevitable. “It was going there. Because there was always a risk with the fuel, every time there could be a risk of a crisis or war. There are more and more risks apart from the very big carbon emission. We’re very glad that after planning this, it finally became feasible.” 
 

Sustainable beauty, wellness and beyond 
 
Beyond greener deliveries, the health and wellness brand is also taking steps to reduce its environmental impact while empowering consumers to make more eco-conscious choices. 

 “We have dedicated spaces for sustainable choices. These products fall under clean beauty — products with better ingredients and better packaging. Most importantly, we are pushing refill packs because they are better for the planet. They consume 75 percent less energy than the bottled version and also allow our customers to save. It’s good for the planet and for the budget as well,” Decapia said. 

 She reminded customers to bring their own shopping bags to reduce the use of paper bags. “Consumption [of paper instead of plastic bags] is still consumption. So the best approach is to bring your own bag.”  

 Giving back to the community, Watsons Philippines continues to focus on medical missions and its long-running sustainability program, Operation Smile, which provides free surgery to children born with cleft lip and palate conditions. 

 As it nears its 25th year in the Philippines, Watsons has grown from its first stores in SM Megamall and The Podium to a nationwide retail network of more than 1,200 stores. 

The brand entered the Philippine market in 2002 through a partnership between AS Watson Group and SM, the country’s leading shopping mall developer. Since then, Watsons Philippines has steadily expanded its presence across the country.