Uniqlo expands into British Columbia

Japanese casual apparel retailer Uniqlo announced plans on Tuesday to open its first store in British Columbia.

Opening this fall, the 20,630-square-foot store will be located at Metropolis at Metrotown in Burnaby. The store will offer the brand’s full range of core items of men's, women's, kids' and babies' essentials.

“The launch of Uniqlo in British Columbia represents another major milestone for us, as Canada continues to be an important focus for the company globally,” said Yasuhiro Hayashi, Chief Operating Officer of Uniqlo Canada, in a news statement. “This country’s cultural and climatic diversity represents the perfect platform for Uniqlo and our philosophy of LifeWear.”

The new store will mark Uniqlo’s third store in Canada. The retailer entered the Canadian market in fall 2016 with the opening of its first store in Toronto at CF Toronto Eaton Centre. A second location opened soon after in October at Toronto’s Yorkdale Shopping Centre.

Metropolis at Metrotown is the largest mall in British Columbia and third largest in Canada.

"We are extremely excited to share Uniqlo with the people of Vancouver and surrounding areas and introduce them to how our high quality, comfortable and functional clothing can help improve their everyday lives. With the opportunity for outdoor adventures to world-class amenities, we hope that Vancouverites will embrace Uniqlo's versatile and stylish everyday clothes that cater to their active lifestyle," adds Hayashi.

Indeed, Canada might have just become even more important to Uniqlo's North America strategy, in light of U.S. President Donald's Trump made-in-the-USA push and potential border tax. As reported last week, Tadashi Yanai, chairman and president of Uniqlo parent Fast Retailing suggested to the Japanese media that Uniqlo would not necessarily do business in the U.S. if forced to manufacture there.

Since opening its first store in Japan in 1984, Uniqlo has around 1,800 stores in 18 markets worldwide including China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, and more.

Uniqlo expands into British Columbia

See also