Japan’s largest clothing retailer Fast Retailing Co is scheduled to launch its casual wear brand Uniqlo in Taiwan this fall.
Local fans looking for Uniqlo bargains — or those of Sweden’s Zara and H&M or the US’ Gap — have long had to venture outside of Taiwan to find such items.
The first Uniqlo outlet in Taipei could be located at Tonlin Plaza (統領廣場) in eastern Taipei, the Chinese-language newspaper United Daily News reported yesterday.
The space was previously occupied by Marks & Spencer — the British retailer which retreated from Taiwan in 2008 after 18 months of sluggish sales performance.
The Uniqlo space at Tonlin would occupy at least 500 pings (1,650m²), the report said.
Fast Retailing said on Thursday it would invest ¥430 million (US$4.7 million) to establish a Taiwanese subsidiary next month to develop a network of Uniqlo stores here, including one in Taipei that will be open by this fall, Kyodo News reported.
Fast Retailing has more than 800 stores across the globe, with Uniqlo outlets in China, Hong Kong, the US, France and elsewhere. It is planning to expand into India, Australia and Thailand.
Fast Retailing began recruiting personnel from local universities last year. Employees in managerial positions are receiving salaries starting at NT$60,000 (US$1,818), and they are currently undergoing training at the Tokyo headquarters, the United Daily said.
H&M will reportedly launch in Taiwan sometime this year as well.
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