After pausing in-market growth during the global pandemic, UNIQLO, the renowned Japanese apparel brand, has reactivated its ambitious retail plans in India for 2025. With a business model built on functional LifeWear and a global push for rapid market entry, UNIQLO’s expansion in India signals not only renewed optimism but also a strategic blueprint for regional engagement, cultural adaptation, and sustainable growth.
Strategic Relaunch: New Cities, New Momentum
UNIQLO made its historic debut in South India by opening its first store in Bengaluru, a move hailed as a significant milestone for our India business expansion by Kenji Inoue, CFO and COO, UNIQLO India. Located in the Orion Mall, Brigade Gateway, the 9,012 sq. ft. store brings UNIQLO’s signature LifeWear—ranging from HEATTECH to AIRism and PUFFTECH—to a region renowned for its unique blend of technology, culture, creativity, and a thriving young population.
Just weeks later, UNIQLO continued its western push with its first store in Pune at The Pavilion (opening September 26, 2025), rapidly expanding its presence in the region. Pune is a vibrant, rapidly growing city, and we are thrilled to bring our high-quality, functional LifeWear clothing to customers here. After opening stores in Mumbai, our first store in Pune at The Pavilion represents the next step in our expansion in Western India. “We are committed to growing across India and bringing LifeWear to more and more customers,” said Kenji Inoue, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer, UNIQLO India.
Focused Local Sourcing, Sustainable Ambition
UNIQLO’s India expansion is tightly linked to a shift in sourcing strategy. Local suppliers are now part of the brand’s global supply chain for essentials like T-shirts and HEATTECH apparel, helping anchor the Make in India vision.
The company’s revenues in India surpassed Rs 1,000 crore in FY25, with profits more than doubling and a 44% growth in the last fiscal year alone. India will play an important role in Uniqlo’s global ambition of achieving a trillion yen in sales. With our store expansion and a strong online play, Uniqlo hopes to touch Rs 3,000 crore in revenues in two to three years.
Adapting For The Indian Market
UNIQLO is acutely aware of India’s competitive landscape—vying with global players like H&M and Zara, as well as homegrown brands and D2C upstarts. The localisation of both products (designs, colors) and the retail experience has proven central to success. Localising its India portfolio to better cater to consumers has helped the brand scale in the market. All stores now offer a range designed to meet the needs of modern urban lifestyles, providing comfort, versatility, and functionality for every season and occasion.
Expansion is deliberately steady, with a strong focus on the quality of the retail experience rather than rushing into all possible cities. As Inoue puts it that we’re not in a rush to enter new cities. Quality and product mix are given more attention. Targeting key metropolitan hubs—New Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Pune—ensures concentrated brand power and strong community engagement.
Community, Digital, and ESG Leadership
UNIQLO’s growth in India is supported by a robust omnichannel strategy and investments in both retail and digital infrastructure. The brand is actively facilitating community events and local partnerships, and recently launched a community development project in partnership with Plan International, signaling its commitment to social responsibility and Indian society.
Online engagement has flourished, especially among younger consumers, and the company’s app and digital channels play a vital role in driving awareness and in-store visits.
The Road Ahead
With 18 stores in India as of September 2025, UNIQLO’s aggressive roadmap involves doubling its footprint in the near term. The focus on optimized local sourcing, steady store rollouts in major and secondary cities, and ongoing product innovation positions the brand as a major challenger in the Indian fast-fashion market.
As India’s economy and consumer class continue to rise, expect UNIQLO’s disciplined but ambitious expansion to shape the future of value-driven, functional fashion on the subcontinent.
