Fast Retailing announced this week two new important Uniqlo openings: a store debut in new market, Luxembourg, and the unveiling of a brand new prototype store concept in Japan, to be eventually rolled out globally.
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Making its debut on April 21, the new prototype Uniqlo Maebashi Minami IC store is located at Maebashi, in the Gunma Prefecture, and features innovative design elements designed to help minimise energy usage, in line with the company’s target to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions in its own store and office operations by 90% by 2030.
With Kashiwa Sato, creative director and CEO, Samurai Inc at the design helm, the store also brings together a range of the newest Uniqlo lifestyle services, including the Uniqlo Flower florist shop, Uniqlo Coffee cafe, and Japan’s first permanent Re.Uniqlo Studio – the company’s repair, reuse, recycle and remake service.
“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 utilized 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.”
Coinciding with the prototype store news, Uniqlo announced the opening of it fist Luxembourg store, to be located on Grand-Rue from autumn 2023. This will mark the next phase of the company’s expansion across Benelux, with the Luxembourg location serving as the sixth outlet in the region.
“We are pleased to be able to engage with customers in Luxembourg for the very first time and introduce our LifeWear philosophy – apparel that is created from our Japanese values of simplicity, quality, and longevity and designed to help improve people’s daily lives,” said Taku Morikawa, chief executive officer of Uniqlo Europe.
“We look forward to interacting with the local residents, ‘frontaliers’ and many visitors of this dynamic and cosmopolitan city.”