(Yicai Global) Oct. 16 -- CK Hutchison Holdings has formed an alliance with China's leading image-processing and social-sharing platform Meitu, the former announced today.

Meitu will partner with A.S. Watson Group, CK Hutchison's retail division, and its Hong Kong telecom unit 3 Hong Kong, in the areas of user experience, user systems, technical research and development, precision marketing, Big Data and strategy via a business model that combines social media with retail.

Hong Kong-headquartered CK Hutchison will leverage Xiamen, Fujian province-based Meitu's artificial intelligence technology and its own expertise in retail and telecoms to bring a refreshing and interactive online and offline shopping experience to customers of the millennial generation.

This partnership will also improve CK Hutchison's online and offline customer interaction. Meitu users can try out beauty products virtually on their mobile phones and get recommendations from advanced AI, said Canning Fok, group co-managing director of the multinational whose five main lines are ports, retail, infrastructure, energy and telecommunications, public information shows.

CK Hutchison's unit Watsons Hong Kong will introduce Meitu's Magic Mirror which displays the virtual makeup effects of around 600 cosmetic products from international brands. Customers can try different looks and download previews, the statement explained.

Magic Mirror can recognize facial features and instantly records customer usage data to confer valuable market data on Watsons. It will first debut in the retail chain's Hong Kong's Mongkok Bank Centre and Cameron Road branches late this month.

Customers of 3 Hong Kong can design personalized products and enjoy a new, one-stop mobile shopping experience through CK Hutchison's cooperation with Meitu. They can print their photos directly onto mobile phone cases, clothes, umbrellas, cups and other objects after editing them on the Hong Kong version of the Meitu app.

Editor: Ben Armour