Uniqlo US quietly closing stores
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Tokyo-based fast-fashion brand Uniqlo US, a 1700-store global chain with 43 US outlets, has been retrenching amid slowing sales.
It has quietly closed five stores in the US since January, all in suburban shopping malls.
“The US is very important to the company,” says spokesman Aldo Liguori. “We are focussing on large cities where we can open large stores.”
As well as urban markets, Uniqlo is beefing up its customer service, says Liguori.
Chief executive Tadashi Yanai last year said brand penetration in big cities such as New York, San Francisco and Chicago was good, “but not in the suburbs”.
Owned by Fast Retailing, which has seven clothing brands, Uniqlo said last year that it would be scaling back its US expansion after opening 17 stores in 2014. It opened four stores last year, and has announced that three stores will be opened this year.
Meanwhile, the brand may face competition from Irish-based discounter Primark, which is expanding in the US.
Questions & Answers
Q.How many US stores has Uniqlo closed this year, and where were they located?
How many US stores has Uniqlo closed this year, and where were they located?
Uniqlo US has quietly closed five stores since January. All of these closures occurred in suburban shopping malls, as the company shifts its focus away from these locations.
Q.What is Uniqlo's strategic focus for its remaining US operations?
What is Uniqlo's strategic focus for its remaining US operations?
Uniqlo is now focusing on large cities where it plans to open larger stores. The company also intends to beef up its customer service in these urban markets.
Q.Has Uniqlo's US expansion strategy changed recently?
Has Uniqlo's US expansion strategy changed recently?
Yes, Uniqlo said last year it would scale back its US expansion after opening 17 stores in 2014. It opened four stores last year and plans to open three more this year.
Q.Which competitor might Uniqlo face in the US market?
Which competitor might Uniqlo face in the US market?
Uniqlo may face increased competition from Primark, an Irish-based discounter. Primark is currently in the process of expanding its presence within the US market.
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