(Boca Raton, FL) November 29, 2016 – Celsius Holdings, Inc., manufacturer of CELSIUS, the leading global fitness drink, is pleased to announce a major expansion in the Asian market in partnership with the A.S. Watson Group (ASW). As the largest international health and beauty retail group in Asia and Europe, ASW will initially distribute CELSIUS in Hong Kong and Macau, with expansion targeted for their extensive retail network. The agreement comes just over one year since Celsius welcomed an investment of $15.95 million led by Hong Kong based Horizons Ventures, a private investment arm of Mr. Li Ka-Shing, Mr. Russell Simmons and Ms. Kimora Lee Simmons. ASW is the retail arm of CK Hutchison Holdings under Mr. Li Ka-Shing, with over 3 billion customers shopping with its 13 retail brands every year. The group operates a wide portfolio of retail brands in various formats with remarkable geographical presence.
“The energy drink category has grown steadily in the Chinese market in recent years, with reports showing sales to retailers volume growth of 18% in 2015 alone,” said Gerry David, President and CEO of Celsius Holdings Inc., “ASW produces its own bottled and bulk packaging distilled water for over 110 years for retail, office and domestic supplies, they also operate the world’s largest distilled water plant. Their market leadership has been further enhanced by their expansion into Mainland China, and their distribution of leading mineral water brands like Pierval, Spa and San Benedetto. In 2005, they launched another innovation – Watsons Iso-tone, a sports drink designed to replenish fluids and dietary fiber lost by the body due to perspiration. We are excited and looking forward to this new strategic partnership.”
“Energy and weight loss products which target the health-conscious segment have seen tremendous growth in China in recent years,” said Michelle Chan, Managing Director of A.S. Watson Industries. “Celsius offers a scientifically proven, high performance energy drink which also provides unique benefits of calorie reduction and fat-burning technology attributed to a proprietary blend of ingredients. These benefits, backed by Celsius’ numerous clinical studies, will introduce an enticing product category that we know our consumers will be drawn to.”
About Celsius Holdings, Inc.
Celsius Holdings, Inc. (OTCQX: CELH), founded in April, 2004, is a global company, with a proprietary, clinically proven formula for flagship brand CELSIUS®. Celsius Holdings, Inc., has a corporate mission to become the global leader with a portfolio of brands which are proprietary, proven or patented it their category, offering significant health benefits which are backed by science.
CELSIUS comes in seven delicious flavors, carbonated and non-carbonated, and in powder stick formulas that can be mixed with water. CELSIUS has no preservatives, no aspartame, no high fructose corn syrup, no artificial flavors or colors and is very low in sodium. The CELSIUS line of products is kosher and vegan certified, gluten free, and sugar free. The first university study was conducted in 2005, and additional studies from the University of Oklahoma were conducted over the next five years. All studies were published in peer-reviewed journals and validated the unique benefits CELSIUS provides to the consumer.
For additional information, please visit www.CELSIUS.com, and for all press inquiries and product samples, please contact John Filizzola at john@co-opagency.com.
About A.S. Watson Group
Established in Hong Kong in 1841, A.S. Watson Group is the largest international health and beauty retailer in Asia and Europe with 12,400 stores in 25 markets. Each year, over 3 billion customers and members shop with our 13 retail brands, both in stores and online.
In Hong Kong, we operate over 650 stores under four retail brands – Watsons, PARKnSHOP, FORTRESS, and Watson’s Wine. In addition, we manufacture and distribute high quality drinking water brand Watsons Water, as well as famous juice drinks Mr. Juicy and Sunkist.
A.S. Watson Group is also a member of the world-renowned multinational conglomerate CK Hutchison Holdings Limited, which has major interests in ports and related services, retail, infrastructure, energy and telecommunications in over 50 countries.
Please visit www.aswatson.com for more in-depth information about A.S. Watson Group and its brands. You may also stay in touch with us via our digital presence (eCommerce, social media, mobile app & more); more details are at http://www.aswatson.com/our-customers/digitalasw/