Uniqlo to open first store in Alberta this Fall

By

Jennifer Braun

Published
Jun 13, 2019

Japanese fashion retailer Uniqlo is bringing its unique designs to the Alberta market this fall.

Opening in Edmonton, the store marks Uniqlo’s official entry into Alberta and first store outside of Toronto and Vancouver, kickstarting the brand’s national expansion.

The first Uniqlo store in Alberta will be located in West Edmonton Mall, a very busy shopping centre that attracts a lot of visitors from out-of-town. 

"Our entry in Alberta represents an important step in our company's expansion strategy in Canada, and we are very pleased and excited to further show our commitment to Canadians by expanding in a new province," said Yuichiro Kaneko, CEO of Uniqlo Canada, in a news statement.

"We look forward to introducing Uniqlo and our high quality, affordable LifeWear apparel to Edmontonians and the people of Alberta and welcoming them in our new store in the fall."

The retailer entered the Canadian market in fall 2016 with the opening of its first store in Toronto at CF Toronto Eaton Centre. Currently, it operates 11 stores in Canada including seven in the greater Toronto area and an additional four in the Greater Vancouver Area.

In Canada, Uniqlo would appear to also be interested in the Montreal market, where it hosted a first pop-up earlier this year. 

Since opening its first store in Japan in 1984, Uniqlo has launched over 2,000 stores in 22 markets worldwide including China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, and more. 

Uniqlo owner Fast Retailing Co lowered its full-year outlook in April. Fast Retailing posted a surprise drop in profit in the first quarter, as unseasonably warm weather hit sales of winter clothes.