How a Pharmacy Like Watsons Could Go Paperless and Win Big with ESG

What if one of Malaysia’s busiest pharmacy chains could save thousands of trees a year—just by ditching printed receipts?

With hundreds of outlets and millions of transactions, a pharmacy like Watsons Malaysia is the perfect case study to explore how digital receipts can drive cost savings, customer loyalty, and real ESG impact. (Note: Watsons is not a ReceiptHero client, but we’re using them as a relatable example for this article.)


The Real Challenge: High Footfall, Higher Waste

Every day, Malaysian pharmacies print thousands of thermal paper receipts—receipts that are:

  • Rarely kept by customers
  • Not recyclable due to BPA chemicals
  • Costly to print, both financially and environmentally

In a world where customers are becoming more eco-conscious and regulators are turning up the heat on ESG reporting, continuing down the paper trail isn’t sustainable.

A Smarter, Paperless Solution (Here’s What It Could Look Like)

Now, imagine this instead:


A platform like ReceiptHero is introduced into a pharmacy chain like Watsons. Customers pay, and instead of being handed a flimsy receipt, they receive a digital version via app, loyalty card, or QR code scan—secure, instant, and waste-free.

Here’s how it could work:

  • Card-linked receipts: Automatically delivered when a customer pays with a linked card.
  • QR code-based option: For walk-in customers who don’t want to register but still prefer a digital receipt.
  • POS system integration: Real-time transaction syncing and receipt storage.
  • Loyalty program connection: Syncs with apps like MyWatsons to send purchase summaries and exclusive offers.
  • Green reporting: Tracks paper saved and CO2 avoided—valuable for ESG reporting.

ESG in Malaysia: Why It Matters Now

This shift isn’t just “nice to have”—it’s becoming essential.

Malaysia’s regulators are tightening ESG expectations. In fact:

By moving away from paper, a pharmacy chain like Watsons would not only align with ESG goals but also prove it with data—showing reductions in paper usage, costs, and environmental impact.

Projected Impact (Hypothetical Example)

Let’s say 99% of receipts at a pharmacy like Watsons are printed daily. With a ReceiptHero-like system:

  • Over 1 million receipts a month could go digital.
  • Save up to RM180,000 annually on printing costs.
  • Cut paper waste by several metric tons per year.
  • Enable ESG metrics to be included in annual reports and customer communications.

Final Thoughts

No matter the size of your pharmacy chain—whether it’s Watsons, Guardian, or an independent group—going paperless is a low-barrier, high-impact step toward smarter retail and better ESG accountability.

ReceiptHero doesn’t just make receipts digital.

It makes sustainability visible and engagement measurable.

Want to learn more about what going paperless can do for your business?

Visit www.receipthero.com

Or reach out to Scotwell to explore implementation opportunities.