Uniqlo has announced plans to open 5 new stores and refresh 2 of its existing stores in 2022, expanding its footprint to 31 stores island-wide. This move likely comes due to a surge in retail sales in 2021, which rose 11.1% year-on-year in 2021 after a decline of 15.3% in 2020. In terms of wearing apparel and footwear, the increase was above average at 16.8% year-on-year in 2021.
This increase was attributed to various factors, such as a year-end shopping spree, a low base effect and a rebound in private consumption in line with economic and labor market recovery. However, there are concerns that it is unlikely to be repeated in 2022 unless Singapore sees a significant rise in visitor arrivals.
Of the 5 new stores, one would be the brand’s first neighborhood store, where its previous stores have all been located in malls. The neighborhood store is expected to pilot community partnership projects and sustainability initiatives and will include inclusive in-store features such as a wheelchair-friendly entrance and an assisted shopping experience for customers with special needs at their preferred time slots through advanced booking. Uniqlo will also launch the Uniqlo Repair Studio, the first permanent offering in Asia, which will offer basic on-site repairs including replacing fallen buttons, mending split seams and patching torn pockets.
(Source: MSN News)
