Meyer tells me UNIQLO is looking to recruit workers into retail careers as opposed to just jobs. UNIQLO has low prices but what will distinguish it from the pack is the story of its quality fabrics and fresh stores. That requires associates able to sell product benefits while maintaining store displays.
With 2,000 US locations corporation-wide and just under $16 billion in revenues, Gap is next up on Fast Retailing’s hit-list as the company expands in America. Earlier this year Gap announced that it was going to start phasing in higher wages for its workers as part of an effort to improve the customer experience. By 2015 Gap said its starting wage in stores will be $10 an hour, well above the national minimum wage of $7.25.