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Tag: uniqlo

  • Natural Elements-Inspired Uniqlo U Spring/Summer 2018 Collection to Launch

    Natural Elements-Inspired Uniqlo U Spring/Summer 2018 Collection to Launch

    UNIQLO announces the Uniqlo U Spring/Summer 2018 collection will launch in three phases, on 26 January,and more items will be introduced progressively in March and April 2018.This is the fourth Uniqlo U collection, which embodies the UNIQLOLifeWear philosophy of creating high-quality clothing that is universal in design and comfort, and made for everyone, everywhere. The new collection features reinvented basics from the design team at the UNIQLO Paris R&D Centre,which is led by Artistic Director ChristopheLemaire.

     

     

    The full Uniqlo U Spring/Summer 2018 collection will be available exclusively at the UNIQLO Global Flagship Store at Orchard Central and online at www.uniqlo.com/sg. In addition, selected pieces from the collectionwill be available in the following UNIQLO stores –Bugis+, JEM, ION Orchard and Suntec City. Prices range from $14.90 for a U Crew Neck T-Shirtto $199.90 for a BLOCKTECH coat.

    Uniqlo U takes the LifeWear range further towardstomorrow by bringing new ideas to design, patterns, fabric development, and sewing techniques. The latest Uniqlo U collection features brilliant hues inspired by nature in slightly oversized styling for effortlessly relaxed silhouettes, and it comprises50items for women, 38for men and eightaccessories.

    Featuring Blues and Greens, Stripes and Borders

    Key colours in this collection include variations of blues and greens, such as sea blue, sky blue,forestgreenand grass green. Orange and red accents, stripes and borders, as well asother elements are also incorporated into the collection to broaden wardrobe flexibility. An exciting addition to the Women’s linethis season is theOpen Collar Shirt featuring thick stripeswhile thehighlight of the Men’s range is theColour BlockT-Shirt,which employsheavyweight cotton.

     BLOCKTECH Coats Offering Outstanding Performance

    This season’s line will incorporate coats that offer exceptional functions –water-resistant, windproof, and breathability. The Women’s BLOCKTECH Short Coat is both comfortable and stylish as townwear, employinga drawstring waist and a matte finish. The new Men’s BLOCKTECH coat employs chambray twill fabric that is water-repellent and windproof, combining a clean silhouette with excellent all-weather protection.

    Seamless, Comfortable Knits Employing WHOLEGARMENT Technology and Seamless Swimwear forWomen

    Fall/Winter 2017 items made with 3D U-Knit three-dimensional weaving technique proved incredibly popular, employing WHOLEGARMENT technology to enhance fit and comfort. The new range enhances the look and feel by adopting high twist cotton fabric in two newWomen’s items: one is the 3D Ribbed Balloon Sweater, with distinctive cuff and waist styling, and the other is the 3D Crew Neck Balloon Dress, whose fit and flare silhouette enhances femininity.

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  • Can Japan’s Uniqlo make it big in India?

    Can Japan’s Uniqlo make it big in India?

    Japanese brand Uniqlo, Asia’s largest apparel retailer, is all set to enter India. The Fast Retailing Co-owned brand, popular for its casual clothing in solid colours and iconic lightweight jackets, has sought the approval of India’s department of industrial policy and promotion (DIPP) to undertake single-brand retail trading in the country.

    If its proposal is cleared, Uniqlo will join the ranks of fast-fashion brands such as Zara, Forever 21, and H&M to open stores in Asia’s third-largest economy, where fashion retail is a $70 billion business. And here, its range of winter-wear, polos in solid colours, linen shirts, and other minimalistic offerings could well lure legions of young, aspiring shoppers hunting for branded clothing.

    While Uniqlo’s positioning and fashion are visibly different from that of Spanish retailer Zara and Swedish label H&M, with more focus on basic clothing and a strong line-up of winter wear, the brand will have to work on its pricing, communication, and styles to suit Indian shoppers, said retail experts.

    That’s because, unlike in other Asian markets, the brand is quite niche in India. “Not too many Indians know it as (well as) they know a Zara or H&M, so expansion is going to be a big challenge,” Pankaj Renjhen, managing director-retail at real estate consultancy JLL India, said. “Since Uniqlo is a basics brand…its positioning will have to be in line with that, which means the sizes and pricing will need to be tailored to India.”

    But what is likely to work for Uniqlo is its plain linen shirts and trousers that may find takers among India’s young office-goers seeking business casuals. Also, the Japanese firm offers a mix for both men and women, unlike Zara and H&M that mostly target the later. “While Zara and H&M are high on the fashion quotient, Uniqlo will have an appeal with the more young, office-going crowd as it offers casual wear at affordable prices,” said Ankur Bisen, vice-president of retail and consumer products at Technopak. “It also has a wide range for both men and women.”

    Uniqlo’s interest in India comes at a time when the retailer, which first opened a shop in Hiroshima in 1984, has been expanding its presence outside Japan where it holds a 6.5% share of the apparel market. In its most recent earnings report, the Fast Retailing Co posted a record operating profit of $1.57 billion for the year ended August 2017, bolstered by a jump in Uniqlo’s international business.

    For India, it has spent years evaluating the country’s policies. India allows foreign retail companies to invest directly in single-brand retail trading but has local sourcing requirements. Top Uniqlo officials have on several occasions met Indian government representatives to discuss its India debut. “India is a market with great potential,” a company spokesperson told Bloomberg, adding, “At the moment, we are awaiting word from the government, and we will be able to discuss potential future steps at a later date.”

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  • UNIQLO to Launch UNIQLO and JW ANDERSON Spring/Summer 2018 Collection

    UNIQLO to Launch UNIQLO and JW ANDERSON Spring/Summer 2018 Collection

    Uniqlo announces plans to launch a Spring/Summer 2018 UNIQLO and JW ANDERSON collection, following the positive response worldwide for its Fall/Winter2017 line. The new collection, created once again in collaboration with London-based fashion brand JW ANDERSON, will include items for men and women, and will be available in the upcoming Spring/Summer 2018 season at selected UNIQLO stores and online at www.uniqlo.com/sg.

    Commenting on the announcement, Jonathan Anderson said, “The first UNIQLO and JW ANDERSON collaboration was super exciting for me, and I am very happy with the results. I am proud of it and I think the pieces are incredibly well made. The line was also a good bridge between the ideal of British classicism and my own brand.”He added,“The Spring/Summer 2018 collection is about items that interlink with each other. It’s about layering this time. The idea is to mix and match things together, and I truly hope you will enjoy it.”

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  • Uniqlo seeks single brand retail licence in India

    Uniqlo seeks single brand retail licence in India

    Uniqlo has applied to open stores in India, in a bid to rival fellow fast-fashion retailers Zara and H&M, two global firms that are already dominating the Indian retail landscape.

     The Japanese fashion brand, owned by Fast Retailing Company, has officially submitted its proposal to the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP), which will allow it to set up single brand retail stores in India.

    As per India’s foreign direct investment (FDI) policy, 100% equity investment is allowed in single brand retail trading. FDI of up to 49% is permitted automatically, however in respect of proposals involving FDI beyond 51%, it is mandatory to source 30% of the value of goods purchased from India.

    In regards to Uniqlo, it remains unclear how much the Japanese firm will be investing, but India is intent on expanding its global reach via India and was expected to enter the Indian market this year. The firm has delayed its launch, citing location issues to set up their stores.

    “Fast Retailing believes India is a market with great potential, and can confirm that the company has taken the first step towards a later introduction of Uniqlo to customers in India. At the moment, we are awaiting word from the government, and we will be able to discuss potential future steps at a later date,” a spokesperson of Fast Retailing in Tokyo told the Economic Times.

    Fast Retailing had record net profits of 119.2 billion yen (895.5 million euros) in the financial year ended in August, up 148% on the previous year according to the company’s accounts. Revenue increased by 4.2% to 13.9 billion euros.

    However, Uniqlo’s local Japanese market has softened due to poor consumer sentiment in the region, and as a result, Fast Retailing has had to look elsewhere – mostly in Asia and the US – to garner revenue growth. The firm more recently launched apparel vending machines as a soft-launch in the US, to test the retail waters.

    In November 2017, the group said Tadashi Yanai, the founder and president of Fast Retailing, would retire in 2019.

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  • Fast Retailing to launch in India

    Fast Retailing to launch in India

    Uniqlo parent Fast Retailing has applied to open stores in India.

    The Japanese fast-fashion giant has filed an application with India’s Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion to do business in the country under the Uniqlo brand.

    “India is a market with great potential,” says Fast Retailing spokeswoman Pei-Chi Tung. The company has long been interested in entering India, but has been beaten by H&M and Zara which are already established in the apparel market Euromonitor International has predicted will grow 29 per cent to INR3.76 trillion (US$58 billion) by 2021.

    Zara owner Inditex opened a flagship in Mumbai in May, which CEO Pablo Isla says has had a strong reception. It has just started online sales as well in India.

    Fast Retailing last month reported its biggest jump in annual earnings in more than a decade, driven by a near doubling of operating profit at Uniqlo stores outside of Japan. Operating profit for the brand in China jumped 37 per cent for the year ended August 31, compared with a 6.4 per cent slump in Japan.

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  • Uniqlo operator to use IC tags at all outlets worldwide

    Uniqlo operator to use IC tags at all outlets worldwide

    Fast Retailing, operator of casual clothing chain Uniqlo, will introduce IC tags at all its outlets worldwide within a year, President and Chairman Tadashi Yanai said.

    The retailer will be Japan’s first to use the tags on a global basis.

    IC tags will save time for payment and inventory control, allowing the company to swiftly increase production of hot-selling products. The tags will also lessen checkout times, ensure that items are in stock, and provide other benefits.

    Fast Retailing will introduce the tags at all of its approximately 3,000 stores, including Uniqlo’s 2,000 outlets, both at home and overseas. Initial investment is estimated at several tens of billions of yen.

    The move is aimed at better coping with the demands of Amazon.com and other e-tailers, which have boosted their presence in the apparel industry.

    Becuase IC tags read information automatically and wirelessly, they can save more on labor and inventory costs compared to bar codes, which require manual operation. The tags can instantly and accurately gather detailed information on volume, size and color.

    In addition, IC tags take only one-tenth the time to inspect products as some systems currently in use.

    The company will use the tags to obtain detailed sales information analyze consumer behavior, such as when products are handled by consumers and returned to shelves, as well as when and where products are sold.

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  • Uniqlo’s Tadashi Yanai plans to retire

    Uniqlo’s Tadashi Yanai plans to retire

    Tadashi Yanai, the founder and president of Uniqlo parent Fast Retailing, has indicated he plans to retire.

    He is seeking a successor in the next two years.

    Under Yanai’s supervision, the original Uniqlo in western Japan was transformed from a small shop into the world’s third-largest apparel brand in one generation.

    With a Bachelor’s degree in economics and political science, Yanai started in business in 1971 selling kitchenware and men’s clothing at a supermarket.

    A year later he quit to join his father’s roadside tailor shop, and launched Uniqlo in Hiroshima in 1984. He changed the name of his father’s company, Ogori Shoji, to Fast Retailing in 1991.

    The 68-year-old has a net worth estimated at US$15.1 billion.

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  • Travel focus in Uniqlo’s Wherever You Go campaign

    Travel focus in Uniqlo’s Wherever You Go campaign

    Recognising the growing interest in travel in Southeast Asia, Japanese fashion brand Uniqlo has introduced a Wherever You Go campaign featuring short films of ordinary people having extraordinary travel experiences around Japan.

    Featuring key pieces from its latest collection, the films aim to inspire people to immerse themselves in new cultures and novel experiences, and highlight how Uniqlo LifeWear suits travel and adventure in varied climates and destinations.

    “The campaign tells the story of what LifeWear is about – apparel that never stops evolving because life never stops changing,” says Uniqlo Asean marketing director Masahiro Endo.

    Starting today, season one of the campaign features five travellers from Southeast Asia who share their experiences and inspirations around the cities of Japan.

    For the campaign’s second season, Uniqlo is running a contest to find people to feature in the movie. Entry is by sharing travel photos, stories or inspirations on Instagram. The prize is an all-expenses-paid, four days/three nights’ trip to Tokyo for two worth US$5000. The contest runs until November 30.

  • Two more stores for Uniqlo Singapore

    Two more stores for Uniqlo Singapore

    Uniqlo Singapore is opening two more stores – at Changi Airport Terminal 4 at the end of this month and at Northpoint at the end of December.

    This will take its Singapore store total to 26, as well as its online outlet.

    Its airport store will be in the departures hall of the new Terminal 4, and will cover about 3000sqft (279sqm). Unlike the current Uniqlo airport store in Terminal 1, the new outlet will offer children’s clothing as well. Exclusive offers will be available from October 31 to November 12.

    The new store at Northpoint City in Yishun will cover about 10,500sqft and offer clothing for men, women and children.

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  • Record trading year for Fast Retailing

    Record trading year for Fast Retailing

    Uniqlo parent Fast Retailing has had record revenue and profit levels for its latest trading year, to August 31.

    Consolidated revenue reached ¥1.8619 trillion (US$16.6 trillion), up 4.2 per cent year on year, the operating profit soared 38.6 per cent to  ¥176.4 billion while profit attributable to the owners ballooned 148.2 per cent to ¥119.2 billion.
    Net profit expanded by 2.5 times mainly because of profit gains by Uniqlo International.

    Uniqlo Japan: Gross profit margin improves but operating profit down…

    • Revenue up 1.4 per cent to ¥810.7 billion
    • Operating profit down 6.4 per cent to ¥95.9 billion
    • Full-year same-store sales expand by 1.1 per cent (second-half growth of 2.4 per cent, thanks to sales of newsworthy items such as wireless bras and Dry Stretch Kando Pants).
    • Gross profit margin improves by 0.3 points.

    Uniqlo International: Operating profit nearly doubles as Southeast Asia business enters growth stage…

    • Revenue up 8.1 per cent to ¥708.1 billion
    • Operating profit almost doubles (95.4 per cent) to ¥73.1 billion on improved gross profit margins and leaner cost structures regionally, as well as a halving of the operating loss at Uniqlo USA
    • Performance especially strong in Southeast Asia and Oceania, where operating profit doubled year on year.

    Uniqlo Greater China and Uniqlo South Korea also reported large year-on-year profit gains, says Fast Retailing.

  • Uniqlo plans denim concept shop for LA

    Uniqlo plans denim concept shop for LA

    Fast Retailing’s Uniqlo says it plans to open a “denim concept shop” in Los Angeles soon.

    “We take so much inspiration from Los Angeles,” says Uniqlo head of US marketing Marisol Tamaro.

    The brand has been increasing its commitment to LA and its latest autumn denim campaign gained its inspiration from LA style. Its Denim Innovation Center opened in the city in November last year as a hub for both Uniqlo and J Brand denim creation and manufacturing. There are also innovation centres in Paris, Shanghai, New York and Tokyo.

    Tamaro says the concept shop will mostly stock denim but also feature complementary clothes. The shop will also carry J Brand as well as collaborations from local artists and designers.

    The denim concept shop will be Uniqlo’s eighth store in Los Angeles and the 47th in the US.

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  • Sales heat up for Uniqlo Japan

    Sales heat up for Uniqlo Japan

    Cool weather and strong advertising campaigns helped boost sales for Uniqlo Japan last month.

    It says same-store sales, including online sales, increased by 6.3 per cent year on year, while sales at its own stores grew by 5.5 per cent. Total sales increased by 6.9 per cent, says the Fast Retailing Group subsidiary.

    During the month, Uniqlo Japan opened four stores and closed two. It also opened its first store in Spain, Uniqlo Passeig de Gracia Store in Barcelona.

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  • Uniqlo’s Hana Tajima collection displayed at Museum of Modern Art

    Uniqlo’s Hana Tajima collection displayed at Museum of Modern Art

    Japanese fashion retailer Uniqlo’s Hana Tajima range is being exhibited at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York.

    The exhibit, “Items: Is Fashion Modern?”, is the first that MoMA has  dedicated solely to fashion design since 1944, and highlights 111 influential garments and accessories that have had a profound effect on the world over the last century.

    The items that were chosen by the Museum include the Hana Tajima for Uniqlo AIRism Printed Stole and Hana Tajima for Uniqlo AIRism Inner Hijab. Both were selected for the exhibition’s modesty-themed section  entitled “Emancipation/Modesty/Rebellion”.

    The hijab items employ AIRism – a unique, smooth texture, breathable fabric with cooling properties to enhance comfort.

    The partnership between Uniqlo and New York-based, British-born designer Tajima first appeared in the company’s Fall/Winter 2015 line in Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and Indonesia. Following its success, the collection later appeared in the US, the UK, and Philippines for Spring/Summer 2016 and now in 15 countries.

    According to the retailer, the purpose of the partnership is reflective of Uniqlo’s commitment to offer apparel that complements diverse lifestyles and cultural settings.

    It added the collection is intended for women who seek comfortable clothing that is not too tight and versatile enough to appeal to all women of all backgrounds, regardless of age, race or religious belief.

    “Hana was a clear choice of partners when we set out to create this collection, as we have a shared aesthetic and a similar approach to design,” stated Shu Hung, Global creative director, Brand Experience and Special Projects at Uniqlo. “With Hana, we have achieved distinctive collections that combine her creativity with our commitment to high-quality, advanced materials that provide the best experience for our customers who seek modest wear.”

    The exhibit is open to the public from October 1, 2017 to January 28, 2018.

  • Uniqlo maternity clothing makes debut

    Uniqlo maternity clothing makes debut

    Japanese fast-fashion brand Uniqlo has launched a line of maternity clothing.

    The Uniqlo maternity range includes stretch jeans, developed at Uniqlo’s Los Angeles Jeans Innovation Center. Available in blue or black, the jeans have a rib-stitched adjustable waist for a gentle fit around the hips and stomach.

    There are also knit maternity legging pants with an adjustable waist and made from a cotton/polyester/polyurethane mix to prioritise comfort and ease of movement, as well as grey or black maternity leggings sewn with a minimum number of stitches for maximum coziness for relaxing at home.

    Uniqlo also has maternity underwear in three colours made from a soft-touch, stretchable cotton/polyurethane blend with no pinching rubber in the waistband.

    All four items are available through Uniqlo’s Japanese online store, as well as at the chain’s larger stores and select smaller branches in Japan.

    There is no word as yet on when the products will find their way into the Uniqlo international stores.

  • Uniqlo Singapore introduces Click & Collect

    Uniqlo Singapore introduces Click & Collect

    Uniqlo Singapore has launched the casualwear brand’s Click & Collect service, allowing shoppers to pick up their online purchases at any of its Singapore stores.

    Customers can choose from the Japanese brand’s full line-up of products, including extra sizes, on its online store. They can then opt to pick up their purchase from a nominated store islandwide, except for the Changi Airport Terminal 1 outlet).

    Using the free service, customers have 14 working days to pick up their orders after receiving their notification email or SMS message.

    Already available in China and Japan, the service will also be launched in Malaysia next month.

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