GU to open its first-ever overseas flagship store in SoHo, NYC

GU, the sister brand to Japanese apparel retailer Uniqlo, has announced plans to open its first overseas flagship store in SoHo, New York City, in addition to its online store this fall. 

The news comes not long after parent company Fast Retailing revealed its ambitious expansion plans for GU to make its mark in the United States and Europe. This strategic move is part of Fast Retailing's overarching vision to transform GU into a global retail powerhouse, aiming to reach an impressive 10 trillion yen (66.3 billion USD) in annual sales.

The inaugural flagship store, strategically positioned on SoHo's main street, will showcase GU's women's and men's apparel on two spacious floors. It will also offer a curated selection of trendy products, including shoes, bags, and accessories. Spanning an impressive 10,225 square feet, GU's SoHo flagship store will not only serve as a retail space but also as a showcase of the brand's unique concept. 

GU to open inaugural overseas flagship store in SoHo, New York City

The online store will offer the same product lineup as GU's physical store and will launch at the same time, ensuring consumers across the nation will be able to shop GU's products. 

"For about a year and a half since opening our first pop-up store in the US in the fall of 2022, we have been able to provide GU products to many customers, so we have great expectations for our business development in the US," said Osamu Yunoki, CEO of GU, in a statement. 

"We have applied what we learned from the pop-up store to establish a framework for product development and business operations at a global level, and we are extremely pleased to be officially opening a store in the United States this fall. We will also launch our online store at the same time and hope that even more customers will enjoy GU fashion."

The launch of GU's physical debut store in New York's SoHo neighborhood, a vibrant area known for its cultural diversity and eclectic mix of values and lifestyles, marks a significant milestone in GU's journey to becoming an international fashion brand. The brand's pop-up store, which is currently open, will remain open until the summer of 2024.

GU was founded in 2006 as a sister brand of Uniqlo and currently operates close to 470 stores in Asia, mainly in Japan. In September 2023, to advance its global product development and ensure the brand's success overseas, GU set up a product division in New York. 

The brand aims to hire local designers, pattern makers and other key design roles from the New York area to build a solid product development base and better cater to the local clientele. In addition, Fast Retailing aims to work with US-based influencers and content creators in its North American marketing efforts to drive further business growth.