Retailer Uniqlo: Japan retailer Uniqlo looks to boost India sourcing

NEW DELHI: Japanese retailer Uniqlo plans to increase sourcing from India as it expands its footprint in the country. “We are already sourcing more than 30% from India for our Indian and global stores. With the opening of two new stores in Mumbai, we will increase sourcing locally. We aim to grow with local manufacturers and provide jobs indirectly,” Tomohiko Sei, CEO, Uniqlo India told TOI in an interview.

Uniqlo sources cut and sew products, like shirts and t-shirts, from India currently. “We have sewing factories, fabric mills in India and we are now trying to modernise the manufacturing processes. Starting this year, some of the factories have started manufacturing innovative items like our different kind of apparels, which are made using technology,” Sei said. To be sure, Uniqlo does not own any of its factories globally. They are run by its production partners. The brand is eyeing foray into cities like Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Bengaluru and Pune.