Uniqlo Guardian Waiting for China Boycott After CEO’s Xinjiang Remarks

Yanai’s comment has change into a preferred subject of debate on Chinese language social networking websites and Yamaguchi-based Quick Retailing is “watching the state of affairs fastidiously,” together with the chance that Chinese language shoppers will boycott Uniqlo merchandise in protest, spokesperson Seikei Itoh advised Bloomberg Information by cellphone on Saturday.

Yanai stated in BBC interview printed this week that Uniqlo doesn’t supply cotton from that area of China’s far west, the place the US has restricted commerce on considerations over human rights. His comment got here after Beijing stated in September that it will examine the dad or mum firm of Tommy Hilfiger and Calvin Klein for suspected boycotting of cotton from Xinjiang.

The Higher China area accounted for greater than a fifth of ¥3.1 trillion ($20.7 billion) of the Quick Retailing’s income within the 12 months ended August 2024, in accordance with filings. Uniqlo was working 2,509 shops worldwide as of the tip of September, together with 1,031 in Hong Kong, Taiwan and China’s mainland.

Itoh declined to touch upon the attainable influence of the chairman’s comment on the corporate’s operations.

US and European corporations have been beneath strain to drag enterprise from factories that make garments and different merchandise in Xinjiang, the place staff’ teams have documented alleged compelled labor camps and different poor situations. China disputes the claims.

By Takashi Nakamichi and Takahiko Hyuga

Uniqlo Proprietor Targets Greater Gross sales From Sturdy Western Market

Quick Retailing Co. reported file annual income of ¥3.1 trillion ($20.8 billion) for the fiscal 12 months ending in August, pushed by sturdy demand for its Uniqlo model in North America and Europe, regardless of a gross sales dip in China.