GU (retailer) explained

G.U. Co., Ltd.
株式会社ジーユー
Native Name Lang:ja
Type:KK
Industry:Fashion retail
Parent:Fast Retailing
Location City:Minato, Tokyo
Location Country:Japan
Locations:455

is a Japanese discount casual wear designer, manufacturer and retailer, with 451 stores across Japan.[1] It is fully owned by the company Fast Retailing, which is better known as the owner of the retail chain Uniqlo. The name is a pun of the word, meaning "liberty, freedom" (from high cost clothing). Its signature product is a pair of jeans, which costs 990 yen. there are 472 locations.[2]

History

GU opened its first shop in Chiba in October 2006[3] as a more affordable concept in fashion than Uniqlo. In 2013, the company opened its first overseas shop in Shanghai.[4] In 2018, G.U. opened its first store in South Korea.[5] [6] In 2022, G.U. opened its first pop-up store in the United States at New York City.[7] [8] G.U. announced that it will open its first flagship store outside Asia in New York City at the SoHo area this fall. The pop-up store, which opened in 2022, will be closed at the end of 2024.[9]

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Company Introduction. 2022-08-04. Fast Retailing. 2022-09-11. en.
  2. Web site: GU FAST RETAILING CO., LTD. . www.fastretailing.com . 8 May 2023.
  3. Web site: About GU GU STORE STAFF . 2023-08-20 . LIFE at FR FAST RETAILING CAREER OPPORTUNITIES . en.
  4. News: About GU. Fast Retailing. 2022-09-11. en.
  5. News: Japanese casual wear retailer G.U. to open first store in South Korea. 2018-07-23. The Japan Times Online. 2018-08-03. en-US. 0447-5763.
  6. News: Japanese casual wear retailer G.U. to advance into South Korea. NEWS. KYODO. Kyodo News+. 2018-08-03. en-US.
  7. News: Uniqlo Sibling GU Opens First U.S. Store in SoHo. Women's Wear Dailey. 2022-12-21. en-US.
  8. Web site: Silbert . Jake . UNIQLO'S FASTER-FASHION BRAND, GU, FINALLY DEBUTS OVERSEAS . High Snobiety . 7 October 2022 . Titel Media GmbH . 8 May 2023.
  9. News: Fast Retailing’s GU to open New York City flagship. Inside Retail Asia. 2024-05-15. en.