Global clothing retailer Uniqlo has opened a roadside concept store – the Uniqlo Maebashi Minami IC Store – in Japan’s Maebashi Gunma Prefecture.
The 2500sqm store features energy-saving elements including solar panels and recycled materials and according to Uniqlo consumes less power than conventional Uniqlo locations.
It will serve as a prototype for new Uniqlo roadside stores around the world.
“With the new Maebashi Minami IC Store, we have created a new type of Uniqlo, where customers can both shop for our clothing, as well as gather and connect with each other,” said group executive officer Masahiro Endo.
“Reducing our energy consumption was also at the front of mind when developing the store, and the various technical and design features used represent meaningful steps towards meeting our 2030 greenhouse gas reduction targets. Going forward, we look forward to using this store as a prototype for our new roadside stores globally.”
The brand-new Gunma Prefecture location also has a coffee shop, flower shop, Re.Uniqlo Studio repair and customisation studio, and a kids’ play area.
The location was created in collaboration with Kashiwa Sato, creative director and CEO of Samurai Inc, a long-time Uniqlo collaborator, with the goal of attracting customers and embodying the Uniqlo philosophy of “contributing to the development of a prosperous society and realisation of a better world”.
As the Japanese retailer observed a nascent rebound in China and robust sales growth in Europe and North America, Uniqlo’s parent Fast Retailing last week reported a 16 per cent increase in first-half profit and improved its outlook for the whole year.
