Japanese apparel retailer Uniqlo plans to expand its presence in India to more than 100 stores by 2031 as part of its long-term global growth strategy.
The planned expansion will take Uniqlo’s India store network to more than five times its current footprint of 20 stores across Delhi-NCR, Mumbai, and Bengaluru. The retailer is expected to deepen its presence in the National Capital Region while expanding into additional major metropolitan cities.
Alongside its retail expansion, Uniqlo plans to increase local manufacturing while continuing to source products through its existing network of manufacturing partners across Asia.
According to the company, the move is expected to support the company’s domestic sourcing strategy and reinforce its long-term commitment to the Indian market.
Owned by Fast Retailing, Uniqlo operates more than 2,500 stores across over 25 countries. Since entering India in 2019, the brand has expanded its footprint, positioning the country as a key growth market in Asia.
India’s expanding apparel market, driven by rising consumer spending, increasing demand for international fashion brands, and the rapid growth of organized retail, continues to attract global retailers seeking to strengthen their presence in the country.
Fast Retailing has also reported strong growth across South and Southeast Asia. During the nine months ended May, revenue from South Korea, Southeast Asia, India, and Australia increased 32% year on year, with India and Southeast Asia continuing to deliver double-digit sales growth.
“We see Asia as the next global growth centre in the long term. As we have successfully done in the US and Europe, Fast Retailing will strengthen its brand power in Asia by enhancing its product lineup and store operations,” said Takeshi Okazaki, CFO, Fast Retailing.
Uniqlo’s presence in Southeast Asia is significantly larger than in India, with 81 stores in the Philippines, 78 in Indonesia, 73 in Thailand, 60 in Malaysia, and around 30 stores each in Singapore and Vietnam.
By expanding beyond the 100-store milestone, Uniqlo aims to strengthen its position in India’s organised fashion retail market while making its products more accessible across key urban centres.
