Japanese retailer Uniqlo is setting its sights on San Francisco with plans to open a new flagship store downtown. The location, confirmed to be 801 Market Street, the former site of Old Navy, is a strategic move after the brand's exit from its previous Union Square spot in 2021. Mayor Daniel Lurie expressed optimism in a social media announcement, stating that the retailer's return is a testament to the city's rebound. "Their return is another sign SF is on the rise," said Mayor Lurie, per KTVU.
The previous Uniqlo store, a tri-level establishment at 111 Powell Street, was Uniqlo's initial foray into the West Coast in 2012 but closed its doors nearly a decade later, amidst a wave of retail closures. While the previous location remains vacant, the new Market Street store is part of Uniqlo's broader strategy to expand its U.S. presence quickly with 11 new stores planned across seven cities in the upcoming year. According to KRON4, "SF store opening is part of a broader expansion of the brand’s U.S. footprint."
Besides refurbishing the store that has been unoccupied since the summer of 2023, Mayor Lurie's administration has emphasized making the city's streets cleaner and safer, reducing bureaucracy, and beckoning businesses like Uniqlo to invigorate the city's economic landscape. The motivation behind Uniqlo's decision to return to a city it previously left wasn't elaborated upon, but the move suggests a renewed confidence in downtown San Francisco's commercial prospects.
Uniqlo has detailed that in addition to San Francisco, four new stores will strengthen its presence in New York City, with six more flagship locations also on the horizon. The timeline for these launches spans sometime in 2026, with unrevealed specifics. "The store’s new location will be roughly two blocks from its former location at 111 Powell Street," Uniqlo said, hinting at an attempt to maintain a connection with its former customer base while reaching out to attract new shoppers in its upcoming flagship, as per KRON4.
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