Japanese casual clothing retailer Uniqlo to open first store in Vietnam next year
Friday, August 31, 2018, 16:25 GMT+7
Japanese casual clothing retailer Uniqlo has officially announced that its first store in Vietnam is set for launch by the end of 2019.
Joining the wave of international casualwear brands rushing to set up shop in Vietnam, Uniqlo, a global brand with over 1,000 stores around the world, has decided to open its very first store in Ho Chi Minh City next year, the brand operator said earlier this week.
The plan, confirmed after months of speculation, marked the expanding and aggressive approach of the Japanese casual clothing brand in the Southeast Asian market.
Uniqlo’s presence in the region covers Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines.
“The penetration into the Vietnamese market marks a milestone for all Uniqlo members,” said Tadashi Yanai, chairman and CEO of Fast Retailing, the Japanese operator of Uniqlo.
“As Southeast Asia has long been a key market for our company’s growth, we feel confident and optimistic to have the opportunity to enter this attractive economy and retail market," Yanai affirmed.
Uniqlo currently pursues the everyday comfort and perfection in terms of fit, fabric, and functionality through its LifeWear concept.
“We want to bring the Uniqlo brand with high quality, affordable LifeWear costumes to Vietnam,” the company leader said.
“In addition, we will make a positive contribution to the economy and the community in which we operate.”
According to Nikkei Asian Review, Fast Retailing began recruiting staff in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City in May.
The company will not stop at only one store in Ho Chi Minh City, but it will continue to open more outlets in the city before expanding to other provinces, tech website ICTnews reported.
In addition, Uniqlo will introduce its Uniqlo Manager Candidate (UMC) Program, part of the company's market development plan in Vietnam, in the near future.
Details of Uniqlo's first store in Vietnam will be further announced later.
Vietnam, a long-time production hub for the apparel industry, now blossoms into a big fashion market amid economic growth that lifts incomes.
Before the Japanese casual clothing retailer, Sweden's H&M (Hennes & Mauritz) debuted its maiden store in the country in September 2017.
In September 2016, Zara, operated by Spain's Inditex, likewise staged its Vietnam debut.
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