Uniqlo’s plan to dominate global fashion
The clothing retailer forged in Japan’s post-bubble economy is pinning its hopes on Europe and North America
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A Uniqlo store in Glendale, California. North America is a target of expansion by the Japanese fashion retailer.
PHOTO: AFP
Harry Dempsey
When Yukihiro Katsuta joined Uniqlo in 2005, the clothing retailer’s founder Tadashi Yanai confided that the chances of successfully taking his brand global were perhaps “0.5 or 1 per cent”.
Today, Yanai is Japan’s second-richest person and Katsuta is the company’s research and development head. As Uniqlo sets its sights on conquering North America and Europe, Katsuta believes “the dream is coming true”. Sales in both territories have more than tripled since 2021.
