AS Watson European Hackathon 2024

Innovate, Collaborate, Elevate: Hacking the Future of Retail Together!

This Challenge is completed

Apr 13-14, 2024

Amsterdam

#ASWHACKATHON2024
#INNOVATION
#CUSTOMERENGAGEMENT
#LOYALTYPROGRAMS
#OPLUSO
#TECHINRETAIL
#AMSTERDAM

Innovate, Collaborate, Elevate: Hacking the Future of Retail Together!

Join the AS Watson European Hackathon 2024 in Amsterdam themed ‘Next Generation Loyalty’

Reimagine customer loyalty & engagement programs in retail. Build deeper connections with clients.

The world's largest Health and Beauty Retailer, AS Watson, calls on all young creatives, innovators, and data heroes to reinvent loyalty in retail! We challenge you to come up with new, innovative engagement and loyalty ideas and solutions aimed at attracting, engaging, and deepening connections with the young audience of Generation Z and Alpha.

📅 Event Date: April 13th - 14th, 2024

🌐 Location: Amsterdam, Netherlands

👥 Participants: students from the Netherlands, UK, Italy

About the Hackathon

At AS Watson, we believe in pushing the boundaries of what's possible in the retail industry. Our 24-hour Hackathon is a unique opportunity for students eager to make a real impact in the world of customer engagement and loyalty programs within the AS Watson Offline + Online (O+O) strategy.

What to Expect

Collaborate with like-minded students in a dynamic and supportive environment.
Work on real-world challenges faced by AS Watson in its O+O strategy.
Showcase your skills and creativity to industry experts and AS Watson management.
Network with professionals in the retail and technology sectors.

Customer Engagement and Loyalty Programs in O+O Strategy

Embrace the challenge of developing innovative solutions that bridge the gap between offline and online retail experiences. Dive into the world of customer engagement and loyalty programs, where creativity meets technology to enhance the shopping journey for our customers. We invite you to solve one of the three presented challenges, all focused on the research question: how can ASW leverage its O+O strategy to enhance customer engagement and drive loyalty?

Hackathon Challenges for the Participants

You can submit your solution within one of the themes below.

1. Gamification in Retail

Developing ways to integrate game-like elements into the retail programs and experiences to foster deeper engagement and connections with clients.

2. Digital Loyalty Programs

Crafting digital solutions that cultivate customer loyalty by offering personalized and unique experiences.

3. Generative AI

Employing advanced artificial intelligence, especially generative AI, to create distinctive and tailored customer interactions.

Go to the “Resources" section to read more about each of the challenges!

Who We're Looking For

We are seeking passionate and forward-thinking students with the following requirements:

Students from colleges and/or universities, undergraduates or post graduates (Bachelor or Master)
Colleges and universities located in The Netherlands, UK and Italy
Participants are aged from min. 18 years of age with a good command of English

With a keen interest in:

User Experience Design
Data Analytics
Artificial Intelligence
Business Strategy and Marketing
Technology

Please register yourself and complete the application form by March 10 latest. As from March 13th, we'll contact you to let you know whether you have qualified for the hackathon and if yes - we'll take care of your travel arrangements!

What We’re Looking For

Create the Future of Retail Loyalty Programs for Gen Z & Alpha. No matter which challenge theme you choose, we're seeking bold, innovative ideas that go beyond the conventional. Here's what we’re particularly interested in:

1. Going Beyond Traditional Schemes

Think bold. In order to connect on a deeper level with customers you can move past the traditional concept of point collection and redemption. We're looking for ideas that redefine what loyalty means in a modern retail context!

2. Integration of O+O Strategies

Think of ideas that cleverly combine our Online and Offline (O+O) strategies, leveraging the best of both worlds.

3. Technology and Personalization

Utilize cutting-edge technology and deep personalization to craft experiences that aren't just unique but also highly relevant to individual customers.

4. Unique Brand Experiences

Propose ways to create memorable and distinctive brand experiences that go beyond shopping transactions and foster genuine connections.

5. Resonating with the Young and Dynamic

Your ideas should speak directly to younger demographics, capturing and maintaining their attention in ways that are both powerful and unique.

The last but not least Sustainability and Social Impact 🌍

Incorporate elements that encourage sustainable practices or social responsibility. Show us how loyalty programs can be a force for good.

Submission Guidelines - Deliverables

We're looking for more than just ideas – you can submit app prototypes, revolutionary engagement concepts, and intelligent data models that redefine the art of customer loyalty!

Check out the AS Watson Hackathon 2018 aftermovie

Prizes

1st Prize

Hong Kong Expedition A Journey of Professional Development

2nd Prize

Apple iPad 9th Gen 10.2 – 64GB + Surface Headphone2

3rd Prize

PlayStation 5S

The detailed agenda may be subject to change.

Saturday April 13, 2024

11:30: Doors open – Registration & Networking
12:30: Event Kick-off & Welcome Session
13:30: Data Gathering Commences, Hackathon Team Work Begins

Sunday Apil 14, 2024

7:00: Breakfast
11:30: Announcement: 30 minutes left to wrap-up
12:00: Lunch
13:00: Closing Ceremony Begins
13:07: Team Pitches (4 minutes per team)
14:35: Jury Deliberations
14:55: Winning Team Announcement
15:10: Event Closure & Speech by Malina (AS Watson CEO)

The event will be completed by 16:00 CET at the latest.

How to apply?

Ready to take on the challenge? Find out how you can join the AS Watson European Hackathon 2024!

Submit your application by registering here until March 10, 2024. Tell us about yourself, your skills, and why you're excited to participate in the AS Watson Hackathon!
The AS Watson European Hackathon will take place in Amsterdam on April 13-14, 2024. Keep an eye on your email inbox: selected participants will get a confimation message March 13th latest. All the information necessary for participants will be there.
Work on your project during the hackathon and present its effects to the Jury. Good luck!

Innovation & Wow Factor (35%): Does the solution show new and innovative ideas that change the standards of customer interaction? Is the solution attracting Gen Z and Alpha generations? Does the solution make a lasting impact on Gen Z and Alpha generations?
Relevance to Hackathon Challenges (15%): Is the solution relevant to one of the three hackathon challenges: Gamification in Retail, Digital Loyalty, or Generative AI? How well does the solution demonstrate a deep understanding of the chosen theme?
Sustainability and Ethical Appeal (15%): Is the solution consistent with the social values that matter to younger generations? In what ways does the solution promote sustainable practices and ethical consumption? Are there any components in the solution that promote social impact?
Personalization (15%): Does the solution offer a personalized customer experience? How well does your solution match the values that you have identified for Gen Z and Alpha generation, and how attractive is it to them? Does the solution utilize data analytics to customize experiences according to our customer preferences?
Technical Excellence and Maturity (10%): How advanced and sophisticated is the technical implementation? Does the solution demonstrate a high degree of technical maturity, ensuring scalability, and performance in a retail environment?
Clarity of Presentation and Concept (10%): How well did the team present? Were the key elements of their solution communicated clearly and compellingly to the judges?

Practical Information

We will start our Hackathon on Saturday the 13th of April with a kick-off by AS Watson management.
Then it's time to get started! You will have 24 hours to solve the challenge.
On Sunday the 14th of April, after lunch, we are keen to listen to your presentations.
We conclude the AS Watson Hackathon by allowing the jury to select the winning solution.
We would like you to travel in on Saturday morning and during the Hackathon, we will stay at the venue in Amsterdam. On Sunday, when the Hackathon is finished, we offer you the possibility to stay in a hotel close to the venue. On Sunday or Monday you can travel back home. All this will be covered by AS Watson.
There is no participation fee for the AS Watson European Hackathon.

About AS Watson

AS Watson is a diverse family of over 140,000 people. For over 180 years, we've been united by an unchanging purpose - To put a Smile on our customers' faces today and tomorrow. It is always our pride and joy to bring a Smile to everyone we come in touch with. We are about building customer connectivity.

A simple smile can make a huge impact. Today, AS Watson has grown into the world's largest international health and beauty retailer; we strive to connect our international network of 12 retail brands operating over 16,100 stores in 28 markets to make the world a happier and healthier place together. We connect with over 142 loyalty members.

For the fiscal year 2022, A.S. Watson Group recorded revenue of US$22 billion. We serve over 5.5 billion shoppers annually via our O+O (Offline plus Online) technology-enabled platforms.

A.S. Watson Group is also a member of the world-renowned multinational conglomerate CK Hutchison Holdings Limited, which has four core businesses ‐ ports and related services, retail, infrastructure, and telecommunications in over 50 countries.

Please visit http://www.aswatson.com/our-company/o-and-o-strategy/ for more information.

Join us at the AS Watson European Hackathon 2024 and be part of the innovation that shapes the future of retail!

Judges

Meet the Jury who will evaluate the projects and select the winning teams!

Malina Ngai

CEO AS Watson Group

Malina joined A.S. Watson in 2001, she has had a career in leadership roles across investment, international buying, technology, sales operations, marketing, digital, big data, and corporate social responsibilities. In her role as CEO of A.S. Watson (Asia & Europe) and Group COO of A.S. Watson, Malina will continue to support in the formulation of growth strategies, work closely with all operating businesses in executing the strategies to deliver the group vision in sales and profit, and building a truly customer-centric organization.
Ed van de Weerd

CEO AS Watson Benelux & Group International Commercial Director

After I finished my study at Twente University (Industrial Engineering & Management), I started my career at Procter & Gamble to gain commercial experience at one of the most commercial companies in the world. I never left the FMCG sector and love it from day one. First at the supplier side and later as retailer. What I love about my job and our sector is that we operate in a hyper competitive market where the one who captures the heart of the customer and serves them best, wins. To win we need to understand our customers best, develop a winning proposition, innovate continuously and execute excellently. Something we live and breathe at AS Watson, day in day out.
Dan Jarvis

Chief Digital Officer, Europe

With nearly 30 years of experience in retail, experience in store operations, finance, digital marketing, and loyalty programs. Having worked for over 20 years with ASW, including notably more than a decade at Superdrug, highlights include launching the original Superdrug.com and initiating the company's first customer loyalty scheme. Currently, leading the eLab team in Europe, which was founded in 2014 to specialize in online business, digital marketing, analytics, UX, and the development of mobile apps and websites. The teams in London and Milan are focused on digital and O+O (Offline and Online) growth, aiming to deliver exceptional customer experiences and leverage technology to improve sales, profit, and customer engagement.
Mandy Ng

Chief Customer Insights & Analytics Officer

Mandy is focusing on enhancing customer experience & implementing insight-driven strategies. Since joining ASW in 2009, has progressed through various managerial roles, contributing to the launch of loyalty programs, analytics for brand & store growth & the establishment of data science solutions for scalable analytics & Business Intelligence. In 2012, she established DataLab, a hub for customer insights & has been a key advocate for customer perspectives in management decisions. From 2017, as Strategic Project Director, Mandy has emphasized artificial intelligence to boost data-driven customer experiences & retail efficiency. Additionally, she is the Customer Director for MoneyBack HK, the leading loyalty program affiliated with ParknShop, Watsons & Fortress, fostering strategic partnerships across financial, retail &CKHH Group sectors. Mandy earned her Bachelor's in Business Administration (Accounting & Finance) from the University of Hong Kong & is a Certified Public Accountant.
Andrea Zoboli

eLab Technology Director (Europe)

As a senior executive with more than 10 years of experience in consultancy, retail, ecommerce and IT, Andrea provides leadership for the continued development of innovative digital solutions across the European markets. Resourceful, persistent, and action-oriented, Andrea is passionate about driving innovation through technology and delivering business value.
Bhavik Davda

Customer Insight and Loyalty leader

Bhavik is a Customer Insight and Loyalty leader, who has over 20 years of experience in Retail. He has functional experience in Finance, Marketing, Data and Business Development. Bhavik’s current focus is to enable our businesses to use data, to enhance their customer understanding and increase customer loyalty. A key focus for Bhavik is to identify what the future of customer loyalty will be, and what it will mean for our brands.
Frenkel Tel

O+O Store Innovation Lead (Europe)

Creative lead with over 10 years of experience in product development. Working at AS Watson for 1,5 year, responsible for running the Group IT innovation portfolio for the European business units. His main focus is innovation, creativity and using design thinking to bridge the gap between business and IT. Always aims for technical solutions to improve customer journeys in today’s omnichannel retail environment where offline and online blend together. As also improving the in-store experience and workload of our store employees by implementing technology. Frenkel holds a MsC degree on Integrated Product Design from the Technical University of Delft.
Jo Mackie

Group People Director, Europe

A highly experienced HR professional with over 20 years of experience in the retail industry. Prior to moving into the Group role with AS Watson, Jo was Customer and People Director with Superdrug and Savers. She has extensive expertise in talent development, employee engagement, leadership, and organizational design. Jo is responsible for developing and implementing the company's people strategy across Europe. She works closely with the senior leadership team to drive employee engagement and development, create a positive and inclusive workplace culture, and foster a high-performance environment.