GS Retail to expand Lalavla network

South Korean convenience store company GS Retail plans to grow its health and beauty store network by up to 300 this year.

After running Watsons outlets through a 50-50 JV with AS Watson, GS Retail bought the balance of shares from the Hong Kong-based firm last year and launched its new Lalavla brand in February.

“We have completed changing the storefront signs,” says a company official. “We will now focus on advertising our new brand and expanding our business.”

There are now 191 Lalavla stores nationwide.