Uniqlo to open first Dutch store with Amsterdam debut

By

Shomara Roosblad

Published
Feb 14, 2018

Following weeks of speculation, Japanese retailer Uniqlo announced that it will be making its debut in the Netherlands. The fashion chain will enter the Dutch market in the fall of 2018.

The 2,040 m2 store, which is divided over three floors, will carry collections for men, women, children and newborns. The store promises to be Uniqlo’s largest in the Benelux region and will be located in Amsterdam’s busiest shopping street, Kalverstraat, with an additional entrance at Rokin, right across from Hudson’s Bay. From 2014 until earlier this year the building was home to American retailer Forever 21.

Taku Morikawa, Chief Executive Officer at Uniqlo Europe, said Amsterdam is "a city well known for its relaxed and casual lifestyle. I believe our LifeWear, designed around core items such as Denim, Ultra Light Down outerwear, Extra Fine Merino knitwear and more, will be a perfect match for the people of Amsterdam. Our entry into the Netherlands marks the next step in our plans to grow our presence in the Benelux region.”

In May 2017 Uniqlo opened a European distribution center in Oud-Gastel with the company partnering with Ceva Logistics on the execution of its European distribution. With the opening of the Amsterdam store, the Netherlands marks the eighth European market for the label.

Uniqlo is part of Fast Retailing, the Japanese company that also operates brands such as Comptoir des Cotonniers, GU, Helmut Lang and J Brand. It has 1,900 stores and is available in 19 markets worldwide in Asia, Europe and the Americas.