Uniqlo is opening a retailer in Ottawa this spring, its first foray into the nation’s capital.
The Japanese retailer’s 15,000-square-foot retailer within the Rideau Centre mall will open in June, the corporate introduced Thursday. It might be on the mall’s third ground.
It’s Uniqlo’s first new retailer in Canada this yr, a part of a deliberate five-year enlargement throughout the U.S. and Canada. The firm is planning to open 20 new shops a yr to succeed in 200 in North America by 2027.
“We are proud of our strong connection to Canada,” Daisuke Tsukagoshi, Uniqlo North America’s CEO, mentioned in a news launch. “Opening in the nation’s capital marks an important milestone in UNIQLO’s progress; it will allow us to strengthen our relationship with Canadian shoppers and introduce LifeWear to new guests – that clothing is made for everyone every day.”
Uniqlo has seven Ontario shops, all within the Greater Toronto Area, and 16 throughout Canada. The firm opened its first Canadian retailer in Toronto’s Eaton Centre in 2016.
“I think it’s actually a major coup for Ottawa and for the Rideau Centre,” Bruce Winder, a retail analyst and writer, advised CTV News. “They’re a phenomenal retailer. The reaction in Canada has been very positive.”
The arrival comes because the Rideau Centre, Ottawa’s largest mall, is dropping an anchor tenant. High-end division retailer Nordstrom introduced earlier this month it could shut down operations in Canada, closing 13 shops together with its Rideau Centre location.
“At any given time in retail, you’re going to have winners and losers,” Winder mentioned. “You’re going to have companies that are falling out of favour and companies that are growing. And Uniqlo is one of those companies that’s growing.”
Winder additionally mentioned he thinks Uniqlo merchandise’ high quality and value level—”Think about if IKEA made clothing”—might be widespread amongst Ottawa residents.
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“You look at the Ottawa market, yeah there’s a few rich people in Ottawa, but there’s a lot of people who work for the government, and they’re not making a million dollars a year,” he mentioned. “They need clothing that’s durable, that looks great, that isn’t going to break their pocketbook.”
Uniqlo is encouraging potential Ottawa staff to use for jobs on their profession web page.
They additionally might be internet hosting a collection of profession festivals in Ottawa for potential staff to study concerning the totally different accessible roles.