datelinedavao: UNIQLO invades Davao

Thursday, May 25, 2017

UNIQLO invades Davao

Nothing can stop these people from joining UNIQLO's private opening event at SM Premier in Lanang.

It’s the day after the declaration of martial law. And yet, people flocked to SM Premier in Lanang to have a taste of what Japanese clothing brand UNIQLO has to offer.

Uniqlo opened its first store in Mindanao at SM Premier, Lanang Wednesday (May 24). However, only the store’s guests were allowed entry and given the opportunity to shop as the official opening to the public would happen on Friday, May 26. This is the brand’s 37th store in Mindanao. It will open its 38th store at SM City Davao Annex at Ecoland on June 2.

Uniqlo started as Men’s Shop Ogori Shoji in Yamaguch Prefecture in 1949. Uniqlo’s first location opened in Hiroshima in 1984.

“Davao is the largest city in Mindanao and we are thrilled to open our first two stores here,” Uniqlo Philippines Chief Operating Office Katsumi Kubota. But why Mindanao and why Davao?

UNIQLO Philippines Chief Operating Office Katsumi Kubota gamely answered all the questions thrown his way about the Japanese brand's decision to invest not only in Davao but in Mindanao.

Apparently, the company recognized Mindanao’s economic growth and has high expectations in Mindanao.

This is Uniqlo’s 5th year in the country and they appropriately marked this with a big bang because by August this year, the company will open its 40th store in the Philippines. The company is set to open another store at SM Cagayan de Oro next month and then another store in Subic this year.

Uniqlo’s opening coincided with the declaration of martial law in Mindanao. However, the number of people in attendance, including several city councilors and the business sector negated fears that the declaration would have a negative impact in the city’s business climate.