Japanese Retailer Uniqlo: Opening Soon at Tysons Corner?

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA -- It's been a long time coming, but signs points to Japanese retailer Uniqloopening soon, likely sometime this fall, at Tysons Corner Center in a 10,000-square foot space on Level 2, located between Guess and Free People. See a map of the location here.

A Tyson Corner Center customer service representative said Thursday she did not have an opening date for the store, but said it could open as early as this month or October. Another Tysons employee said the same Thursday, but that it's likely opening in October or November. A job ad was placed for employees for the Tysons location a month ago on craigslist.

The company first announced its plans to open a store at Tysons Corner in April 2015.

The company recently opened a new store in Florida's Walt Disney Resort. In an announcement about that opening, the company said the new store "will incorporate the brand's unique Japanese heritage by conveying Japanese tradition, culture and beauty through colorful visuals and displays. Japanese-inspired daily giveaways, as well as in-store events each week and month like Taiko drummers and a Japanese-style game show, will provide fun and entertaining ways for families to engage with UNIQLO and its Japanese origins."

What's all the excitement about? Here's a take on Uniqlo, explained by Benjamin Liong Setiawan in Forbes: "At the core of Uniqlo’s DNA is the philosophy of LifeWear. Simply put their mission is to 'create clothes that make life better.' It’s a large calling, but they are investing in this for the long haul. Uniqlo doesn’t see themselves as traditional fashion retailers do. The company is not seeking to set trends or be the hottest brand of the moment. They are happy discreetly being the staple pieces in their customer’s wardrobes. You’ll find Uniqlo hanging in the closets of everybody from price-sensitive shoppers to keen-eyed fashion editors. Their goal is to be seamlessly integrated into people’s everyday life."

Since opening its first store in New York City's Soho in 2006, Uniqlo has grown its presence to at least 39 stores across the US – in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Philadelphia, Boston, San Francisco and Los Angeles – as well as launched its online shopping channel at www.UNIQLO.com.

Today the company has a total of more than 1,500 stores in 16 markets worldwide including Japan, Australia, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Russia, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, U.K. and the United States.

PHOTO of Uniqlo Boston store courtesy of company