According to one of its executives, Fast Retailing’s Uniqlo intends to increase the number of its current locations by 10 per cent in North America.
As part of its expansion strategy to have more than 200 outlets in North America by 2027, Uniqlo is launching six stores this summer, including two in Canada and four in the United States. In order to achieve this aim, the corporation plans to open 20 to 30 new locations every year.
The chain already has outlets in Maryland, New Jersey, and two Californian malls where the American stores will be situated.
The first Uniqlo sites in Ottawa and Calgary, Canada, are establishing two stores with a combined floor space of 15,000 square feet.
Each of the new locations will have free garment modifications, in-store pickup, and self-checkout kiosks.
Fast Retailing’s operating profit for the first half increased by 16.4 per cent to ¥ 220 billion (US $ 1.65 billion) earlier this month. Additionally, the business increased its full-year profit expectation from ¥ 350 billion to ¥ 360 billion (US $ 2.63 billion).
The chief executive of Uniqlo North America, Daisuke Tsukagoshi, explained in an email to Reuters that the firm decided to open stores in Ottawa and Calgary because of both cities’ “strong online presence.” The Tokyo-based business presently operates 16 shops in Canada and 47 locations in the United States.
“We’re looking to locations where we have already seen high customer demand, as well as new markets that we see opportunity in,” Tsukagoshi added.
Tsukagoshi claimed that because consumers must adapt to varying climatic conditions and experiences, localising product offers in the various U.S. areas has been “challenging”. In the current economic climate, he claimed, Uniqlo is in a “unique position” to establish stores as consumers trade down and look for affordable prices for essential fashions.
