ユニクロは「一番いいポジション」柳井氏の感じる追い風

The tailwind that Mr. Yanai feels

Lifestyles have changed worldwide due to the coronavirus, and casual clothing is receiving a tailwind. How do you see the changes in the clothing market? We asked Tadashi Yanai, chairman, and president of FAST RETAILING, which develops UNIQLO.

"There is a growing tendency around the world to consume near your own home in the suburbs, rather than in the center called "High Street". There is also a trend toward casual clothing.

Working from home means dressing up as it is, even at home. Our clothes are perfect for that kind of look. You can wear it at home or when you go to work.

I had always thought that clothes would look like this in the future, but now I'm jumping at Corona. We are in the best position among clothing stores (apparel companies).

Our clothes sell well in China as well as in Japan. The number of stores in China (781 stores as of the end of October) has exceeded the number of directly managed stores in Japan (767 stores).

China has 1.3 billion people, 10 times more than in Japan. Even in rural areas (where stores are scarce), people's income levels are rising and there is plenty of room to open. We are planning to open 100 stores a year in Greater China (including Hong Kong and Taiwan).

Although the economy itself is connected across national borders in this way, political conflicts and divisions continue. Politics is supposed to be for the people to be happy, not for hegemony. With the inauguration of President Biden of the United States, I hope that both the United States and China will change to a trend in which there is no way to survive other than coexistence and co-prosperity.

Source: https://digital.asahi.com/articles/ASNCW56TQNCDULFA03S.html?pn=5