Uniqlo to open its 2nd and 3rd locations on Long Island

Uniqlo, the Japan-based retailer of everyday apparel and weather-repellent outerwear with more than 2,400 stores worldwide, continues to grow its modest brick-and-mortar presence in the United States.

This week it will stage simultaneous openings of two stores in Long Island—one an 8,780-sq.-ft. shop at Walt Whitman Shops in South Huntington and the other a 9,700-sq.-ft. space at Green Acres in Valley Stream. They join what has been the brand’s only location on the Island at Roosevelt Field in Garden City.

The new landings will take Uniqlo’s U.S. store total to more than 50.

“We are incredibly excited to open two new stores in Long Island and expand our presence in New York, a place we have called home since 2006,” said Uniqlo USA CEO Yoshihide Shindo in a press release announcing the openings. “We look forward to serving even more of the Long Island community at Walt Whitman Shops and Green Acres.”

Uniqlo is embarked upon an international expansion campaign that will give it up to 500 more locations. Some 200 of those are planned for North America, where its current portfolio numbers close to 70.

The seller of what it calls LifeWear—simple, light, and durable everyday wear—recently introduced a 27,000-sq.-ft. “roadside store” concept in Japan that it intends to replicate worldwide. The space, which endeavors to increase customer visits and dwell times, employs design features aimed at meeting the brand’s greenhouse gas reduction targets.

Uniqlo’s parent company, Fast Retailing Co, last week forecast 18% growth in annual profit via its expansion plan, which includes the opening of 80 stores in China. Its projections were also based on increased demand for reasonably priced, durable clothing during inflationary times.

This weekend’s Long Island openings will feature price promotions that offer $10 off on Ultra Light down jackets, Pufftech washable parkas, and Merino crew neck sweaters. Initial customers will also get chances to spin a Garapon bingo wheel for a chance to win free prizes.