Uniqlo to return to San Franciso with flagship, partnerships
Some five years after it shuttered its downtown San Francisco amid the Covid pandemic, Uniqlo is returning to the city in a big way in October.
The Japanese casual clothing giant will open a two-floor, 20,315-sq.-ft. flagship on Market Street, on Oct. 8, on the site of a former Old Navy store. The opening marks a new chapter for Uniqlo in the city, with local partnerships, artist collaborations, community programming, and a campaign featuring people helping shape the Bay Area’s culture and future, the company said.
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The new Uniqlo will feature the company’s everyday clothing lines (LifeWear) and its repair, remake, reuse and recycle studio, RE.Uniqlo. Shoppers will be able to personalize favorite pieces with embroidery, including locally inspired designs, and also bring in their used Uniqlo clothing to the store for common mending services such as button replacement and stitching.
In addition, shoppers can donate used Uniqlo clothing that is no longer needed so it can be given a second life, with the goods going to local community members in need, in partnership with St. Vincent de Paul Society of San Francisco. Unwearable clothing can be brought in for recycling into raw materials or new products.
The store will feature a collection that celebrate the city’s Muni transit system, inspired by its iconic vintage and archival imagery. Bay Area street artist fnnch will bring his signature style to a series of original designs and an in-store mural inspired by the energy and character of San Francisco.
"We are proud to return to San Francisco, a city and community that have long held a special place in Uniqlo’s story,” said Fuminori Adachi, CEO of Uniqlo USA. “We look forward to serving the Bay Area community and becoming a destination for customers to build a timeless, high-quality, everyday wardrobe through thoughtfully designed LifeWear essentials."
Partnerships
Uniqlo will partner with the Friends of the San Francisco Library alongside the San Francisco Public Library to bring reading and community connection into new spaces across the city. Together, the organizations will create opportunities for San Franciscans of all ages — from supporting One City One Book and the Night of Ideas Read-In.
In addition, through a two-year partnership with the Exploratorium, Uniqlo said it will make hands-on learning more accessible to Bay Area communities. The partnership will support programming at four of the Exploratorium’s After Dark events and expand access for families through 250 family admission vouchers, welcoming approximately 1,000 visitors from underserved communities.
The retailer’s “People Campaign” will spotlight local residents and community voices whose work contributes to the city’s culture, creativity and future. Appearing across outdoor media, in-store displays, and Uniqlo’s digital channels, the campaign is designed to show how the company’s LifeWear apparel supports different lifestyles while celebrating the people helping shape San Francisco’s next chapter.
