History of Uniqlo in Timeline
Uniqlo is a Japanese casual wear brand known for its fast-fashion business model. The company designs, manufactures, and retails its clothing and is a fully owned subsidiary of the larger company, Fast Retailing Co., Ltd.
March 1949: Founding of Ogori Shōji
Ogori Shōji, the company that would later become Uniqlo, was founded in March 1949 in Ube, Yamaguchi, Japan. At the time, it operated men's clothing stores called "Men's Shop OS".
June 1984: First Uniqlo Store Opens
On June 1984, the first store using the name "Unique Clothing Warehouse" was opened in Hiroshima, Japan.
1985: First Uniqlo Roadside Store Opens
Uniqlo opened its first roadside store in Japan in 1985, expanding to many roadside stores in Japan and five other countries in subsequent years.
1988: Uniqlo Name Origin
The name "Uniqlo" came about from a misread of "unique clothing" as "Uniqlo" during brand registration in Hong Kong. The company head liked the sound of it and decided to use it across Japan.
September 1991: Name Change to Fast Retailing
In September 1991, the parent company of Uniqlo, Ogori Shōji, changed its name to Fast Retailing.
April 1994: 100 Uniqlo Stores in Japan
By April 1994, Uniqlo had expanded to over 100 stores across Japan.
1997: Uniqlo Adopts SPA Model
In 1997, Uniqlo adopted the "SPA" (specialty-store/retailer of private-label apparel) model, taking inspiration from the American retailer, The Gap. This meant they would produce and sell their own clothing exclusively.
November 1998: First Urban Uniqlo Store Opens
In November 1998, Uniqlo opened their first urban store in Tokyo's Harajuku district.
2001: Uniqlo Reaches Sales and Profit Peak
In 2001, Uniqlo achieved a new peak in sales turnover and gross profit, with over 500 stores in Japan.
2002: Uniqlo Enters Chinese Mainland Market
Uniqlo made its entry into the Chinese mainland market in 2002, marking the beginning of its significant expansion in the country.
2002: International Expansion Begins
Uniqlo began expanding overseas in 2002, opening its first Chinese store in Shanghai, followed by four stores in London, England.
November 2005: Fast Retailing Restructures
On November 2005, Fast Retailing restructured, transferring its clothing manufacturing and retail business to a subsidiary, Sun Road Co., Ltd., which was later renamed Uniqlo Co., Ltd. Fast Retailing became a holding company.
2005: Further Global Expansion
In 2005, Uniqlo continued its overseas expansion, opening stores in the United States (New York City), Hong Kong (Tsim Sha Tsui), and South Korea (Seoul).
2006: Uniqlo Reaches \$4 Billion in Sales
Uniqlo's sales reached \$4 billion in 2006.
April 2007: Uniqlo Aims for Top 5 Global Retailers
By April 2007, Uniqlo had set a goal to reach \$10 billion in global sales and become one of the top five global retailers, aiming to join the ranks of Gap, H&M, Inditex, and Limited Brands.
March 2009: Collaboration with Jil Sander
In March 2009, Uniqlo signed a design consulting contract with fashion designer Jil Sander for their menswear and womenswear lines.
September 2009: Fast Retailing Announces Ambitious 2020 Goals
On September 2009, Fast Retailing announced ambitious goals for 2020, aiming for \$61.2 billion in annual group sales and \$12.2 billion in pretax profit. They aimed to become the world's biggest specialty retailer of private label apparel.
November 2010: Collaborations and Asian Expansion
In November 2010, Uniqlo collaborated with Shiatzy Chen for a capsule collection and opened its largest store outside Japan in Kuala Lumpur.
November 2010: Uniqlo Opens First Malaysian Store in Kuala Lumpur
On November 4, 2010, Uniqlo expanded its reach in Southeast Asia with the opening of its first store in Malaysia, located within the Fahrenheit 88 shopping mall in Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur.
May 2011: Uniqlo Sued for Alleged Labor Exploitation in China
In May 2011, Shukan Bunshun magazine published a report accusing Uniqlo of subjecting employees in its Chinese stores and factories to unfair labor practices, including long hours and low wages, leading to a libel lawsuit filed by Uniqlo against the magazine's publisher, Bungeishunjū.
2011: Jil Sander's +J Collection Wins Award
Jil Sander's +J collection for Uniqlo won the 2011 Brit Insurance Design Fashion Award.
September 27, 2012: Bicqlo Store Launch
On September 27, 2012, Uniqlo opened a collaborative store called "Bicqlo" with Bic Camera in Shinjuku, Japan.
June 2013: Uniqlo Opens First Indonesian Store in Jakarta
On June 22, 2013, Uniqlo opened its first store in Indonesia at Lotte Mall (formerly Lotte Shopping Avenue) in Jakarta, marking the brand's entry into the Indonesian market.
April 2014: Uniqlo Opens First Australian Store in Melbourne
In April 2014, Uniqlo expanded into the Australian market with the opening of its first store in Melbourne.
April 2014: Uniqlo Opens German Flagship Store in Berlin
Uniqlo's expansion into the German market commenced on April 11, 2014, with the grand opening of its flagship store in Berlin on Tauentzienstraße, a prominent shopping street.
November 2014: Uniqlo Opens First Store in Eastern France
On November 17, 2014, Uniqlo expanded its reach beyond the Paris region in France with the opening of its first store in eastern France, located in Strasbourg.
October 2015: Uniqlo Opens First Belgian Store in Antwerp
Uniqlo's first foray into the Belgian market took place in October 2015 with the opening of a store in Antwerp.
2015: Uniqlo Changing Room Sex Video Sparks Controversy and Arrests in China
In 2015, a video depicting a couple engaging in sexual activity inside a Uniqlo changing room in Beijing went viral on the Chinese internet, resulting in the arrest of at least five individuals, including the couple and those who shared the video, for allegedly violating socialist values and sparking a public debate about privacy and morality.
September 2016: Uniqlo Launches in Canada with Two Large Outlets in Toronto
On September 30, 2016, Uniqlo made its debut in Canada with the simultaneous opening of two large outlets in Toronto, one at the Toronto Eaton Centre and another at the Yorkdale Shopping Centre.
October 2016: Uniqlo Opens Store in Chadstone Shopping Centre
As part of its expansion in Australia, Uniqlo opened a store in Melbourne's Chadstone Shopping Centre, the largest shopping center in the Southern Hemisphere, in October 2016.
2016: Uniqlo Expands Presence in Germany with Store in Stuttgart
Continuing its growth in Germany, Uniqlo opened a new store in Stuttgart in 2016, further expanding its customer base and reach in the country.
January 2017: Art for All Project Launches
Uniqlo launched the "Art for All" project in January 2017, partnering with art dealer Jeffrey Deitch to sell affordable limited-edition art pieces.
October 2017: Uniqlo Expands to Western Canada with First Store in Burnaby
October 2017 marked Uniqlo's entry into Western Canada with the opening of its first store in British Columbia, located at Metropolis at Metrotown in Burnaby.
October 2017: Third Uniqlo Store Opens in Brussels
On October 19, 2017, Uniqlo expanded its presence in Belgium with the opening of its third store, located in Brussels.
2017: Uniqlo Debuts 3D Knitwear
In 2017, Uniqlo introduced a line of 3D knit garments, a technology that allows for seamless, one-piece knitting with minimal waste and continues to be offered as of 2023.
2017: Jonathan Anderson Collaboration Begins
Uniqlo began collaborating with designer Johnathan Anderson on menswear collections in 2017 and continues to do so as of 2023.
May 2018: Uniqlo Announces Plans to Enter Indian Market
On May 9, 2018, Uniqlo officially announced its plans to enter the Indian market, generating significant anticipation and interest among consumers and industry experts.
September 2018: Uniqlo's First Dutch Store Opens Amidst Protests in Amsterdam
The first Uniqlo store in the Netherlands opened on September 28, 2018, on Kalverstraat, a busy shopping street in Amsterdam. However, the opening was met with protests highlighting concerns about Uniqlo's ethical practices, particularly in its factory in Jakarta, Indonesia.
September 2018: New Uniqlo Outlet Opens in Coquitlam Centre
On September 14, 2018, Uniqlo expanded its presence in British Columbia with a new outlet at Coquitlam Centre in Coquitlam.
October 2018: Alexander Wang Collaboration
Uniqlo partnered with designer Alexander Wang in October 2018 to create a line of Heattech layerable basics.
2018: Uniqlo Opens Stores in Cologne and Düsseldorf
Uniqlo's presence in Germany expanded further in 2018 with the opening of new stores in Cologne and Düsseldorf, two major cities known for their fashion and retail sectors.
March 2019: Uniqlo Opens First Store in Oshawa
Expanding its reach within Ontario, Uniqlo opened its first store in Oshawa at the Oshawa Centre in March 2019.
April 2019: Uniqlo Opens First Flagship Store in Denmark
In April 2019, Uniqlo expanded its Scandinavian presence with the opening of its first flagship store in Denmark, located on Copenhagen's bustling Strøget shopping street.
April 2019: First Uniqlo Store Opens in Newmarket
In April 2019, Uniqlo further expanded its presence in Ontario with the opening of its first store in Newmarket at the Upper Canada Mall.
June 2019: KAWS x UNIQLO UT Collection
On June 2019, Uniqlo released a collection in collaboration with artist KAWS.
September 2019: Uniqlo Opens First Italian Flagship Store in Milan
In September 2019, Uniqlo made its foray into the Italian market with the opening of its first flagship store in Milan's Piazza Cordusio.
September 2019: Uniqlo Opens Outlet at West Edmonton Mall
On September 27, 2019, Uniqlo opened an outlet at West Edmonton Mall, further expanding its reach in Western Canada.
October 2019: Uniqlo Opens First Indian Store in New Delhi
Uniqlo marked its entry into the Indian market in October 2019 with the opening of its first store in New Delhi, a significant step in its global expansion strategy.
October 2020: Uniqlo Opens First Store in Quebec
Uniqlo expanded into the Quebec market on October 23, 2020, with the opening of its first store in the province, located at the Montreal Eaton Centre.
December 2020: First Uniqlo Roadside Store Opens in Malaysia
In December 2020, Malaysia became the fifth country outside Japan to have a Uniqlo roadside store. The 15,100-square-foot store is located in Bandar Sri Damansara.
2020: Tadashi Yanai Announces Plans to Expand Uniqlo to 3,000 Stores in China
In 2020, Fast Retailing chief Tadashi Yanai revealed plans to further expand Uniqlo's presence in China, aiming for a total of 3,000 stores in the country.
2020: Uniqlo Opens Store in Hamburg
In 2020, Uniqlo continued its expansion in Germany with the opening of a new store in Hamburg, a major port city and a significant economic center in the country.
January 2021: Uniqlo Shirts Blocked at US Border Over Xinjiang Cotton Concerns
In January 2021, Uniqlo shirts were blocked at the US border due to concerns that the cotton used in their production was sourced from the Xinjiang region of China, where forced labor is alleged to be used. Uniqlo's parent company, Fast Retailing, protested the decision but was unsuccessful.
April 2021: Uniqlo Opens Flagship Store at Pondok Indah Mall 3
On April 9, 2021, Uniqlo opened its flagship and most iconic store in Indonesia at Pondok Indah Mall 3 in Jakarta.
August 2021: Uniqlo Operates 832 Stores in China
By August 2021, Uniqlo had established a strong presence in China with 832 stores across major cities, including Beijing, Guangzhou, Chongqing, Chengdu, Nanjing, Ningbo, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Shijia, Tianjin, and Xi'an.
August 2021: Second Uniqlo Store Opens in The Hague
In August 2021, Uniqlo opened its second store in the Netherlands. The store is located on Grote Marktstraat in The Hague.
October 2021: Uniqlo Operates 48 Outlets in Malaysia
As of October 2021, Uniqlo had established a strong retail presence in Malaysia, with 48 outlets operating across the country, in addition to its online store.
2021: Uniqlo Operates Ten Stores in Germany
By 2021, Uniqlo had established a network of ten stores across Germany, with six of those located in Berlin, showcasing its successful growth and popularity in the country.
March 2022: Uniqlo Exits Russian Market Following Backlash Over Initial Decision to Stay
Initially, Fast Retailing, Uniqlo's parent company, decided to continue operations in Russia after the invasion of Ukraine, stating clothing is a basic human need. However, following significant public backlash, the company announced its withdrawal from the Russian market in March 2022, citing operational challenges and the escalating conflict.
June 19, 2022: Closure of Bicqlo Store
Uniqlo ended its lease of the Bicqlo building on June 19, 2022, and the store was converted back to a regular Bic Camera store.
October 2022: First Uniqlo Roadside Store Opens in Indonesia
On October 28, 2022, Uniqlo opened its first roadside store in Indonesia at the Heritage Lifestyle Hub in Bandung, West Java, making Indonesia the sixth country outside Japan to have a Uniqlo roadside store.
November 2022: Re. Uniqlo Repair Studio Opens in Tokyo
In November 2022, Uniqlo launched a remake and repair service called "Re. Uniqlo Repair Studio" in Tokyo, offering same-day repairs and custom remakes for Uniqlo clothing.
2022: Uniqlo Store in Wijnegem Shopping Center Closes
Uniqlo closed its store in the Wijnegem Shopping Center in 2022, marking a change in its Belgian retail strategy.
March 2023: Re. Uniqlo Repair Studio Trial Run Ends
The trial run for the Re. Uniqlo Repair Studio in Tokyo ended in March 2023.
May 2023: Uniqlo Operates 3 Stores in Belgium
As of May 2023, Uniqlo maintained three stores in Belgium, indicating a steady presence in the country.
May 2023: Second Roadside Store and First Neighborhood Store Open in Indonesia
Uniqlo opened its second roadside store and its first neighborhood store in Indonesia on May 26, 2023, at One District at Puri in Metland Cyber Puri, Tangerang, Banten.
June 2023: First Uniqlo Store Opens in Ottawa
On June 16, 2023, Uniqlo opened its first store in Ottawa, marking its presence in the nation's capital.
August 2023: Clare Waight Keller Collaboration Announced
Uniqlo announced a collaboration with designer Clare Waight Keller in August 2023, with a fall collection launch planned for September 2023 across 1,500 stores globally.
August 2023: Uniqlo Opens First Store in Calgary
Uniqlo further expanded its Canadian presence on August 25, 2023, with the opening of its first store in Calgary.
August 2023: Uniqlo Forecasts 3,747 Stores Worldwide
By August 2023, Uniqlo projected it would operate 3,747 stores globally.
September 2023: Clare Waight Keller Collection Launches
Uniqlo launched its 34-piece fall collection with Clare Waight Keller in September 2023.
October 2023: Uniqlo Operates 12 Stores in India
As of October 2023, Uniqlo had expanded its presence in India to 12 stores, demonstrating steady growth within a relatively short period since its entry into the market.
October 2023: First Uniqlo Flagship Store Opens in Luxembourg City
In October 2023, Uniqlo expanded its presence to Luxembourg with the opening of its first flagship store in the country. The store, spanning 950 square meters across three floors, is located on Grand Rue Avenue in Luxembourg City.
October 2023: Uniqlo Opens First Store in Canberra
On October 26, 2023, Uniqlo opened its first store in Australia's capital city, Canberra, located in the Canberra Centre.
October 2023: Uniqlo Opens First Flagship Store in Mumbai
On October 6, 2023, Uniqlo opened its first flagship store in Mumbai at Phoenix Marketcity, marking a significant step in its expansion within the Indian market.
November 2023: Uniqlo Reaches 36 Stores in Australia
By November 15, 2023, Uniqlo had expanded its presence to 36 stores across Australia, with locations in major cities like Perth, Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney, and Canberra.
2023: Uniqlo Plans New Flagship Store in Munich
In 2023, Uniqlo announced plans to open another flagship store in Germany, this time in Munich, choosing the historic Old Academy building as its location, further solidifying its presence in major German cities.
April 2024: Uniqlo Operates 73 Stores Across Indonesia
By April 2024, Uniqlo had expanded its presence to 73 stores across Indonesia, with locations in major cities like Balikpapan, Bandung, Banjarmasin, Cirebon, Denpasar, Makassar, Manado, Mataram, Pontianak, Samarinda, Semarang, Surakarta, Surabaya, Yogyakarta, Batam, Jambi, Lampung, Medan, Palembang, and Pekanbaru.
April 2024: Uniqlo Opens Second Flagship Store in Rome
Uniqlo further expanded its Italian presence in April 2024 with the opening of its second flagship store in Rome, located on Via del Corso within the historic Galleria Alberto Sordi shopping arcade.
May 2024: Uniqlo Operates 28 Stores in France
As of May 2024, Uniqlo had established a significant presence in France with 28 stores, including nine located in Paris, indicating its popularity and growth in the French market.
May 2024: Uniqlo Operates 3 Stores in Italy
As of May 2024, Uniqlo maintained three stores in Italy, indicating a steady and strategic growth in this major European market.