Queues formed outside Saigon’s Uniqlo store for weeks. Will the outlet receive the same response in Hanoi?
After much speculation, Japanese global clothing retail outlet Uniqlo finally announced the location of its upcoming Hanoi store – Vincom Pham Ngoc Thach in Dong Da District.
At 2,500 square meters, the shop will be one of the company’s largest in Southeast Asia and will offer the entirety of their clothing ranges, according to Vietnam Plus.
In December last year, Uniqlo opened its first store in Saigon. Fashion fans in Vietnam were finally able to set foot in the country’s first Uniqlo outlet, which is also the second-largest in Southeast Asia.
The store opened its doors in Parkson Dong Khoi. Some customers waited for hours before the opening time and traveled from nearby provinces to visit. It’s estimated that more than 2,000 eager shoppers showed up for the launch in Saigon, with queues stretching from the Le Thanh Ton pavement to the park across the street.
Hanoi’s branch is expected to open in spring. Graphic designs of the store show a building that resembles a giant hole-punch. Come springtime, Hanoians will be able to flock through the doors and part with hard-earned cash.
In related news, over 2,000 Indonesian factories making clothes for Uniqlo and other companies have lost their jobs and are owed US$5.5 million in unpaid wages. In 2017, Vietnamese villagers blockaded factories that supply global fashion brands, including Uniqlo, over pollution concerns.
[Photo via Creative Commons]
