Japanese apparel brand UNIQLO has opened its 18th store in India, launching in Pune on Friday as part of its broader expansion strategy. A subsidiary of Tokyo-based Fast Retailing Co., the world’s third-largest apparel retailer, UNIQLO is the group’s leading brand among its eight labels.
In India, the brand is already present in NCR, Chandigarh, Mumbai, and Bengaluru, with Pune now added to the list. UNIQLO entered the Indian market in 2020 with its first store in Gurgaon and has since expanded steadily to 18 outlets.
Kenji Inoue, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer of UNIQLO India, highlighted that the company views India as a high-potential market, much like Southeast Asia. Furthermore, the brand has recorded a 60% CAGR and turned profitable within three years. In addition, it crossed the ₹1,000 crore revenue milestone in FY25 with 44% year-on-year growth. Moreover, it doubled net profit to ₹178.4 crore, achieving a 15% profit margin.
Future growth will center on metro cities, e-commerce, and boosting local sourcing. Inoue explained that strong online demand drove the decision to open a store in Pune, as the city’s e-commerce sales rose 163% this year. UNIQLO sells exclusively through its own online store and does not list its products on third-party e-commerce platforms.
Looking ahead, the company aims to strengthen its global presence by opening large-format stores in key international cities across Japan, Asia, Europe, and North America. Moreover, this expansion aligns with its long-term vision of becoming the world’s top apparel retailer.
