Member-only story
Uniqlo Rejuvenates Osaka Flagship Store with New Osaka-esque Designs
From t-shirts to gaudy toilet paper, UNIQLO says “ookini!” once again to Osaka with a new flagship store and locally inspired designs.
Uniqlo has recently returned to Osaka with a new flagship store. The revised version aims at attracting tourists with its localized designs and collaboration with Osaka businesses and artists.
A strong comeback
Built and run by the richest man in Japan, the $73M apparel empire of Uniqlo is among the three undisputed leaders in fast fashion. With 2,434 stores, it comes behind H&M’s 4,375 — but eclipses Zara’s mere 2,312 outlets.
With a global presence in 25 countries, Uniqlo became the number-one fashion brand in China in 2021. That same year in Japan, Uniqlo reeled from the pandemic as foreign visitors to Japan fell to a record low, a 99.2% drop from 2019.
Consequently, the country’s first global flagship store in Shinsaibashi, Osaka shut down.
Just two years later, Japan’s inbound tourism not only recovered but exceeded pre-pandemic levels. People returned, and so did the money. Foreign…
