GU, the Japanese casual fashion brand and sister chain store to Uniqlo, plans to open two stores in Hong Kong in spring 2017, marking the affordable brand’s first foray into the local market.
Owned by Fast Retailing group, GU will open one new store at the Miramar Shopping Centre, in Tsim Sha Tsui on the Kowloon Peninsula. The second store will open at Windsor House shopping mall in Causeway Bay, located on the centre of Hong Kong Island, as outlined by the brand in a press release.
“I am delighted that just ten years after the launch of the GU brand in Japan, we are able to announce the spring 2017 opening of our first stores in Hong Kong,” said Osamu Yunoki, CEO of GU.
SEE ALSO: Hong Kong retail rents slip further in Q3 2016
“The continuing growth and success of GU has been due to the marketing expertise and powerful retail platform created by our parent Fast Retailing Group. The launch of our business in Hong Kong is a huge step forward for GU’s global expansion. We are fully committed to bringing the latest fashion trends and exceptional customer service to Hong Kong’s residents and visitors.”
Fast Retailing and its mainstay brand Uniqlo, is one of Japan’s most successful apparel retailers. It’s also one of the archipelago nation’s most recognised fast-fashion exports, rivalling the likes of Inditex’s Zara and Swedish group, H&M across competitive regions such as Europe, Asia-Pacific and the U.S.
Gu will follow in the same retail footsteps as sister brand, Uniqlo, said Fast Retailing in a statement, before expanding further over the long term.
Uniqlo entered the Hong Kong market in 2005. The brand currently has 25 stores across Hong Kong and Macau territories.