Uniqlo seeks Government nod for single brand retail licence

By

Maverick Martins

Published
Nov 27, 2017

Japanese brand Uniqlo owned by Fast Retailing Company has sought governments approval to set up single brand retail stores in India and submitted its proposal to the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP).
 

Uniqlo was expected to enter the Indian market this year but had kept its India entry on hold citing location issues to set up their stores. How much the firm will be investing in India also remains unclear as an investment above 51% would mean the company will have to source 30% from the Indian market.
 
As per the foreign direct investment (FDI) policy, 100% equity investment is allowed in single brand retail trading. FDI of up to 49% is permitted automatically, however in respect of proposals involving FDI beyond 51%, it is mandatory to source 30% of the value of goods purchased from India.

After posting strong results in the last financial year with net profit of $1.1 billion, Fast Retailing is expecting its global business to be bigger than Japan in the next fiscal and rapidly expanding its presence across the globe.
 
India has been identified as an important market by the company and the government nod will allow the firm to run a wholly-owned subsidiary, like other global rival Hennes and Mauritz (H&M) & Zara to set up stores in a country.
 
“Fast Retailing believes India is a market with great potential, and can confirm that the company has taken the first step towards a later introduction of UNIQLO to customers in India. At the moment, we are awaiting word from the government, and we will be able to discuss potential future steps at a later date,” a spokesperson of Fast Retailing in Tokyo was quoted as saying by the Economic Times.
 
Uniqlo had earlier said that the company is reviewing the Indian market and will decide regarding its India entry at the right time amidst speculations of the brand foraying into the Indian market next year.