UNIQLO is a prominent Japanese casual wear brand and the core strength of Japan's FAST RETAILING Group, which ranks among the top global apparel retailers. UNIQLO is committed to providing modern, simple, natural, high-quality, and easily coordinated products to consumers worldwide. The concept of "versatility" advocated by UNIQLO is also well-known. The idea that "clothes are the supporting role, and the person wearing them is the main character" highlights UNIQLO's people-oriented clothing philosophy. Even seemingly simple basic items can showcase individuality with careful coordination.
The full name of UNIQLO is UNIQUE CLOTHING WAREHOUSE, which implies the provision of desired goods at reasonable and credible prices through warehouse-type shops that discard unnecessary decoration, adopting a supermarket-style self-service shopping method.
The company name, FAST RETAILING, contains many special meanings. "FAST [rapid] + RETAILING [retail]" embodies the fundamental spirit of how to quickly commercialize customer requirements and how to promptly provide products. It also expresses their unwavering belief in becoming a retail enterprise embracing the globally universal concept of fast food culture.
This concept refers to providing clothing that can be worn anytime, anywhere, by anyone, through unified services worldwide, at reasonable and credible prices, and in large quantities continuously. Therefore, they have a unique product planning, development, and sales system, achieving low-cost store operations.
**Brand History**
The Fast Retailing Company, which owns the UNIQLO brand, was established in 1953 as a small clothing store selling suits. The current chairman and general manager, Tadashi Yanai, graduated from Waseda University's Economics department and joined Fast Retailing in August 1972. He became the company's chairman and general manager in September 1984. In 1982, during a visit to the U.S., Yanai was inspired by the warehouse-style sales methods on American university campuses. Upon returning, he proposed trying out this warehouse-type self-service shopping method for clothing stores and introduced the large-scale shopping mall-style clothing sales method in Japan for the first time, achieving low-cost store operations through a unique product planning, development, and sales system.
In June 1984, the first UNIQLO warehouse-type clothing specialty store officially opened in Hiroshima, Japan. At that time, Japan's economy was in a slump, and UNIQLO's business strategy was to provide fashionable casual wear to all consumers at low prices. To attract customers, UNIQLO initially offered free breakfast (bread and milk) to shoppers, which successfully drew large crowds. Every morning, many people would gather in front of UNIQLO stores, queuing up to claim their breakfast before entering the store to shop.
**Brand Development**
In 1991, Fast Retailing began its chain business and proposed a development plan to establish 1,000 branches, aiming to achieve UNIQLO's chain operation model. Stores like The Limited and GAP in the U.S., which had distinctive national characteristics, became UNIQLO's expansion templates. In 1994, UNIQLO listed on the Hiroshima Stock Exchange and subsequently on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. In 1998, the Harajuku UNIQLO store opened, and the wool sweater promotion campaign was successful, marking the beginning of the "casual wear directly facing consumers" era. This concept involves comprehensively revising the planning, production, circulation, and sales processes to establish the most suitable business model for consumers, with the key being mass production based on consumer demand.
With its unique business philosophy and operational model, UNIQLO has continued to grow. Today, Fast Retailing has become Japan's leading retailer and one of the world's top apparel retailers, with nearly 600 stores in Japan alone. From 1999 to 2001, UNIQLO achieved the miracle of doubling its annual revenue for three consecutive years: 1,110 billion yen in 1999, 2,289 billion yen in 2000, and 4,185 billion yen in 2001. As a result, it ranked first in Japan's "Top Prosperous Enterprises of the 21st Century," becoming Japan's highest market share casual wear brand. In September 2001, Fast Retailing opened its first overseas store in London, UK. Now, UNIQLO has 15 specialty stores in the UK and was rated as the "Most Influential Excellent Enterprise in the UK Market in 2002" by the representative European industry magazine "RetailWeek" within one year of entering Europe.
**Brand in China**
Uniqlo will soon launch online shopping services in China's branded apparel retail sector, with its online flagship store set to go live in mid-April. Additionally, Uniqlo plans to open three new stores in Shanghai next month, bringing the total number of stores in Shanghai to eleven. This year, the total number of Uniqlo stores in China is expected to double compared to the current amount.
It is reported that Uniqlo has already established a presence in important cities such as Beijing, Chengdu, Chongqing, and Guangzhou. There are already five stores in Beijing, and it is said that the number of stores in Beijing will reach ten by the end of this year. Meanwhile, after opening its first store in Chengdu last month, Uniqlo is preparing to open its second and third stores there.
It is understood that Uniqlo has processing points in multiple regions, including China, Southeast Asia, and Europe. Among these, hundreds of various processing enterprises in China are involved, with 90% of Uniqlo's products being produced in China.
Related articles:
- http://www.diglog.com/story/technology_internet_672590.html
- http://wgyuvs5i.pixnet.net/blog/post/17435649
- http://blog.chinabyte.com/a/2671539.html