Clothing brand opens first roadside-type store in Southeast Asia

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Aroadside store is miles different from the usual department store as it is literally located beside a road. These roadside stores are used by brands all over the world not only to sell their products but also to increase brand visibility. But for global clothing brand Uniqlo, its roadside store is unique as it is not only just beside any road – it is located in a local neighborhood area closer to customers’ homes, even employing people who are residing within the neighborhood.

Uniqlo’s roadside store has been very successful in countries such as Taiwan, Korea and its home base in Japan. Last March, Uniqlo’s roadside success formula was brought to Phatthanakan in East Bangkok, Thailand, that location becoming the first in Southeast Asia.

With the opening of Uniqlo’s first roadside store in Southeast Asia, it is inevitable for the brand to open similar roadside-type stores in countries such as Malaysia, Indonesia, and soon, in the Philippines. In fact, in an exclusive interview, Satoshi Hatase, Uniqlo’s CEO in Southeast Asia and Australia, said that the country “is ripe and mature to have its own roadside store.”

“I have been to the Philippines before and I saw Filipino families going on weekend trips and using cars to go on road trips,” said Hatase. “We can foresee a Uniqlo roadside store boosting the vitality of a local area along the highways by becoming a lifestyle and cultural hub – a place where the local community gathers. In addition to an ideal shopping experience, we work to engage the community through regular special events.”

Uniqlo’s roadside store will not only be in an ideal location and provide a unique shopping experience, it will also have a large dedicated parking space for customers’ convenience and accessibility for all, especially families with elderly people or people with disabilities.