Uniqlo to Open 20 Stores in North America in ’24
Uniqlo is doubling down on the North American market.
The Japanese retailer on Monday said it will add more than 20 stores in the U.S. and Canada next year, with a focus on the eastern and western regions of the countries.
More from WWD
Uniqlo opened its first North American store in 2005 and operates 53 units in the U.S. and 19 in Canada. Its goal is to reach 200 stores in North America by 2027.
“We couldn’t be more excited to enter the next phase of our North American expansion plan and serve more customers in the U.S. and Canada,” said Daisuke Tsukagoshi, chief executive officer of Uniqlo North America. “Stores are the heartbeat of our business, where we can engage with our local communities, hear directly from our customers, and best understand their needs to continue to improve and perfect our products. We’re looking forward to a big year ahead.”
The company said the North American division reported “significant growth” in the fiscal year ended Aug. 31 and expects similar strong results in 2024, with double-digit sales growth in its existing stores. In its year-end report, the retailer reported that sales in North America rose 43.7 percent to 163.9 billion yen, or $1.12. billion, and operating profits jumped 91.9 percent to 21.1 billion yen over the prior year.
The Uniqlo stores opening in spring 2024 are located at the Tacoma Mall in Tacoma, Wash.; Alderwood Mall in Lynnwood, Wash.; South Shore Plaza in Braintree, Mass.; Providence Place in Providence, R.I., a new market for the company, and the Staten Island Mall in Staten Island, N.Y. In Canada, stores will be added in the CF Fairview Mall in Toronto, the CF Market Mall in Calgary, the Scarborough Town Centre in Toronto and the Bayshore Shopping Centre in Ottawa.
Uniqlo, a division of Fast Retailing, operates more than 2,400 stores globally. It opened its first store in Hiroshima in 1984.
Best of WWD
