Japan-based apparel giant Uniqlo is all set to take the lead in the global apparel market. The brand is working to mass produce affordable, high quality items like down jackets, underwear, and T-shirts.
The 17-nation, 1,734-store retailer is aiming to create its own brand identity, other than practicing its formula of delivering good quality at decent prices. In order to move to the next stage of growth, the brand needs to increase its digital presence worldwide, and expand to non-Asian markets as well. The brand is also looking towards hiring experts from the industry; like it recently hired Christophe Lemaire, formerly at Hermes and Lacoste, who started his own Uniqlo line last year, to head its Paris research Centre.
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Uniqlo is still a relatively small apparel retailer, with 44 stores in the US, 449 stores in China and 846 in Japan, its biggest market, while H&M has over 4,000 stores around the world, Gap has 3,700 stores, and Inditex operates 7,000 Zara, Bershka and other brand stores.
The apparel retailer is also roping in stars like Nigo, a popular Japanese DJ to create better T-shirt designs, and has also strengthened its sportswear section by signing on tennis stars Kei Nishikori and Novak Djokovic. “Uniqlo has a smart format, which stands out from most of the mass fashion retailers. Less concerned on fashion trends, and more focused on ‘basics’ or ‘investment pieces’ of good fabric and quality,” said Luca Solca, Analyst – BNP Paribas.
