Question $5\mathrm{.}2-$ A$.$S$.$ Watson Group

With a history dating back to $1828,$ A$.$S$.$ Watson Group has evolved into the world's largest international health, beauty and lifestyle retailer. It has operations in over $16,000$ stores across $27$ markets worldwide, with over $5\mathrm{.}3$ billion customers each year.

A$.$S$.$ Watson Group employs over $140,000$ staff and its product portfolio includes some of Asia's best$-$known brands and retail chains, including Watsons $($health and beauty$),$ PARKSHOP $($supermarkets$),$ Fortress $($electrical appliances$),$ Watson's Wine and Nuance$-$Watson airport duty free shops. It is also a major producer and distributor of water products and beverages, including brands such as Sunkist and Mr$.$ Juicy. In Europe, its health and beauty brands include Superdrug, Rossmann, Trekpleister, Drogas and Spektr. Its luxury perfumery cosmetics brands include ICI Paris XL$,$ Marionnaud and The Perfume Shop. Growing the business remains a long$-$term goal at A$.$S$.$ Watson Group.

Source: adapted from A$.$S$.$ Watson Group $($www$.$aswatson.com$)$

$($a$)$ Define the term product portfolio.

$(2$ marks$)$

$($b$)$ Suggest the type of business entity that A$.$S$.$ Watson Group might be classified as$.$

$(2$ marks$)$

$($c$)$ Explain how A$.$S$.$ Watson Group benefits from synergy by its growth and evolution strategies.

$[4$ marks$]$

$($d$)$ Despite its enormous size and global presence, examine why A$.$S$.$ Watson Group still aims to grow larger as part of its

$(6$ marks$)$

long$-$term corporate strategy