Global apparel retailer Uniqlo will open its new Uniqlo Maebashi Minami IC Store at Maebashi, Gunma Prefecture, Japan, tomorrow, Friday, 21st April 2023.
The new 2,500-sq.meter store has been designed in order to set a new direction for the brand's stores' global development, as it aims to help reduce carbon emissions and wants to host lifestyle services meant to offer a better shopping experience and greater comfort for the consumer.
"With the new Maebashi Minami IC Store, we have created a new type of Uniqlo, where customers can both shop for our clothing, and gather and connect with each other," said Masahiro Endo, Group Executive Officer.
"Reducing our energy consumption was also at the front of mind when developing the store, and the various technical and design features utilized represent meaningful steps towards meeting our 2030 greenhouse gas reduction targets. Going forward, we look forward to using this store as a prototype for our new roadside stores globally,” he added.
In line with the company’s target to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions in its own store and office operations by 90% by 2030 (compared to 2019 levels), the new Maebashi store incorporates some specific features designed to help minimize energy usage.
In addition, the store also brings together a range of the newest Uniqlo lifestyle services, including the Uniqlo Flower florist shop, Uniqlo Coffee café, and Japan’s first permanent Re. Uniqlo Studio, the company’s repair, reuse, recycle and remake service.
Reflecting the company’s aim to reducing its energy footprint, Uniqlo will incorporate a variety of features into this new store.
Most of the electricity used in conventional Uniqlo stores is for lighting and air conditioning. Through the integration of various types of energy-saving lighting fixtures and other technologies, the Uniqlo Maebashi store is expected to use around 40% less electricity compared to conventional Uniqlo roadside stores.
Among the features that will help to lower such consumption, there are, for instance, skylights installed in the ceiling at the center of the store. This way, the combination between the use of natural lighting and artificial lighting will reduce energy consumption. Also, a large glass facade will also help to provide the store natural lighting.
Brightness sensors installed on the ceiling will measure the indoor brightness level to control in-store lighting. Lights will be automatically turned on and off in areas like stockrooms and back rooms.
Similarly, special sensors will measure the CO2 density and in-store temperature (according to how crowded the store could be) turning fans on when necessary. This way, total heat exchangers will remove therm, all energy from the exhaust air while transferring fresh air from the outside.
The building's exterior walls are insulated with recycled materials, including 30% shredded Uniqlo clothing donated by customers. This way, the insulation reduces the store's energy consumption.
Solar panels installed on the roof of the building will provide approximately one-third of the store's annual energy consumption.
More lifestyle services to cheer consumers
The store is also hosting additional services meant to recall and make customer feel at ease when visiting it.
Among them there is Re.Uniqlo Studio, a store offering clothing reuse, recycle, repair, and remake services. The first one was opened in Japan on a trial basis in October 2022, and is now being expanded for the first time into a permanent service at the Maebashi store. Alongside repairing clothes, customers can also request remodeling to give new life to their favorite jeans, denim jackets, or shirts, as well as sashiko embroidery or prints.
Moreover, the Uniqlo Coffee Box and the Uniqlo Kids Box offer additional support to visitors as well as Uniqlo Garden, a green space surrounding the Uniqlo Maebashi Minami IC Store with uniquely designed benches, desks and parasols to be used to take a break from shopping or have a family picnic.
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