Uniqlo, a leading Japanese retailer, has confirmed it is opening up its first Canadian flagship stores in Toronto for Fall 2016. Yorkdale Shopping Centre and Eaton Centre will be joining the list of 1,500 stores that Uniqlo owns globally.
Yorkdale Shopping Centre is dedicating 24,000 square feet for its international newcomer as part of the mall’s 300,000 square foot expansion project.
“We are very excited to welcome Uniqlo to Canada. Canadian shoppers and fashion enthusiasts have been anticipating this news for a while. I’m very proud that Yorkdale will be introducing UNIQLO to our shoppers,” said Claire Santamaria, Yorkdale Shopping Centre General Manager.
Eaton Centre will have the biggest Uniqlo location and it will measure 28,000 square feet, replacing the space that Sears Canada is vacating.
With the disappointing national exit of Target Canada, questions rise about whether or not another large beyond-the-border retailer will do well in the Canadian Market. Larry Meyer, Uniqlo’s chief executive officer, is confident that the brand’s entrance into Canada will be successful.
“I believe we are entering two great centres, that’s the way we’re starting, not with as big a business bet as Target made,” said Meyer, “We believe in the locations.”
Not only does the choice in location and size matter, Uniqlo sells comfortable and stylish casual apparel that is engineered to be worn well in any climate, including harsh Canadian winters. And it is affordable with price points ranging from $6 to $130, very similar to H&M prices that the average retail consumer can handle.
#UniqloCanada is already trending across different social media platforms since the announcement of the expansion news this morning.
