Uniqlo founder expresses brand ambition at launch of Hong Kong flagship store

The new store is located in the Lee Theatre in the heart of Causeway Bay. It spans three floors covering an area of 37,500 square feet and includes the world’s second-ever UT Store, after the upscale Ginza shopping area in Tokyo. Some of the features in the new store include LED screens showing customers how to match the different clothes available.

Uniqlo’s ‘Lifewear’ concept is aimed at enriching the lives of people by offering high-quality basic apparel that eventually becomes part of their lives.

The 64-year-old Yanai, chairman, president and CEO of Fast Retailing Co., spoke about his attachment to Hong Kong at a press conference yesterday. He disclosed that he first visited the territory as an 18-year old univesity freshman onboard a P&O liner, and his first impression on arrival was that Hong Kong was more international than Tokyo.

His first success in expanding the business overseas also came in Hong Kong, after he encountered setbacks in his earlier attempts in London and Shanghai.

Yanai spoke about how the brand name was conceived, explaining that the company had originally registered the brand as "Uniclo" (for "unique clothing warehouse"). But, as things happend, it was mistakenly registered as ‘Uniqlo’ and Yanai said he kept the name as he regarded it as a "beautiful error".

The company opened its first Hong Kong store in the Miramar Shopping Centre in 2005, and it now has 16 stores throughout the territory, employing more than 1,700 workers.

To express his appreciation to Hong Kong consumers for their long-term support, the brand has launched ‘Embracing beautiful Hong Kong’ initiatives. Uniqlo has invited Cantopop singer and actress Miriam Yeung, actor Shawn Yue, world champion racing cyclist Wong Kam Po and Olympic-medal winning cyclist Lee Wai Sze as its local brand ambassadors.

The company is offering free rides on the Star Ferry between Tsim Sha Tsui and Wan Chai and  between Tsim Sha Tsui and Central on the opening day of its flagship store.

Yanai said that the brand’s ambition is not just to be number one in Asia, but to be a leading Asian brand in the world, with China and India being its high-growth markets.

Time magazine in its April issue named Yanai as one of the top 100 most influential people in the world. Responding to the recognition in a press statement, Yanai said: "Fast retailing and Uniqlo aim to positively impact the lives of people everywhere and change our world for the better, through the clothing that we produce. We are serious about our commitment, and it requires substantial influence. I believe that Time's acknowledgement is a reflection that as a company we are moving in the right direction."

Asked about his motto and secret of success in life, Yanai cited ‘trust’, ‘kindness’ and ‘beauty’ and to live each day happily and peacefully.