Uniqlo plans European expansion

Japanese fashion retailer Uniqlo has set its sights on Europe, as well as benchmarking

the year 2020 to become the largest retailer in the world.

“We are targeting all leading cities in Europe as potential flagship locations, starting as of now,” said Berndt Hauptkorn, CEO of Uniqlo Europe in an interview with WWD. “If by 2020 we want to become the largest retailer in the world, we cannot focus on Asia solely.”

The company recently announced ambitious expansion plans for the US and China, but until now Europe didn’t seem to be a focus for the Japanese retailer. Currently Uniqlo operates 10 stores in the UK, as well as two in Russia and three in France, with a fourth one set to open in the Marais area in Paris next year.

Where in Europe hasn’t been revealed, however, Hauptkorn did confirm that the company plans to open multiple stores this year, but he didn’t elaborate on the number of locations.