Transforming
UNIQLO into a
Truly Global Brand
With Fast Retailing enjoying consistent growth, we will now ensure that UNIQLO is nurtured
into a truly global brand. My first priority is to establish UNIQLO as the leading brand in Asia by
opening large numbers of stores in Greater China, Southeast Asia and India, all places where
the middle-income population is expected to explode during the next 10 years. We will also
create a framework to facilitate the opening of 200 to 300 large-format stores worldwide each
year, and to support aggressive store openings not only in Asia, but also in the United States.
In the U.S., we will establish a chain of 20-30 stores in both New York and San Francisco,
developing a highly profitable business that mirrors UNIQLO’s existing business in Asia.
The first UNIQLO global flagship store opened in New York’s Soho neighborhood in 2006.
Since then, we have opened global flagship stores in many major cities around the world. But
it was the opening of the New York Fifth Avenue Store in fall 2011 that propelled the UNIQLO
brand into the hearts and minds of consumers everywhere. In fall 2012, we coined the term
“global hotspot store” for our new BICQLO store in Shinjuku, developed with leading home
appliance retailer BIC CAMERA. The global hotspot store is creating an entirely new retail
format that offers innovative services and entertainment. We will make the UNIQLO brand
even more fun by opening many global hotspot and flagship stores worldwide.
The g.u. brand made great headway in fiscal 2012 thanks to its amazingly low prices and
fashionable casualwear. UNIQLO must now regain its own position of price leadership by
fighting harder to offer the prices customers want. UNIQLO and g.u. may be different, but
I always recall how UNIQLO stunned customers with the 1,900 yen fleece jacket 14 years
ago, at the same time we opened our first urban store in fashionable Harajuku. UNIQLO has
since satisfied customer needs with HEATTECH and other high-quality items. Now, UNIQLO
will focus on achieving global leadership in both fashion and pricing. We will review materials
development and procurement costs, and streamline the production process. UNIQLO
clothes will be basic items that capture new trends and offer fresh appeal.
As we expand our global operations, I want Fast Retailing to be known as the company
that contributes to society through truly great clothing. Our business and CSR activities
are like the wheels of a bicycle turning in tandem. We are committed to the employment of
people with disabilities, to social business and disaster recovery in northeast Japan, as well
as to our All-Product Recycling Initiative. We are a new type of global company from Japan,
providing good casualwear to people all worldwide. We relish the challenge.