In its new Antwerp store, Uniqlo offers unique services and local touches in an impressive historical setting. Customers can have their clothes repaired or personalised and T-shirts printed.
Customised interior
On Thursday morning, Uniqlo opened a flagship store in the “Osterriethhuis”, an 18th-century Rococo-style building on Antwerp’s Meir. The opening day coincides with the retailer’s 10th anniversary in Belgium. The new store is over 1,700 m² in size, about 30% larger than the previous store, located a short distance away. The company’s Benelux headquarters is also located in the building, which has been a listed monument since 1939.
The interior was custom designed for the building. All historical details have been preserved. In the high-ceilinged courtyard, all attention is focused on seasonal highlights. Currently, that is the cashmere collection, reportedly one of the Antwerp native’s favourite products. The children’s corner with Labubu Pop Mart sweatshirts is remarkable. The first floor is astonishing, with original paintings by Robert Mols dating from 1875 to 1877. The shop has a click & collect point, nine self-scan checkouts and four manned checkouts.
New services
A special new feature in this store is the UT.me! service, which allows customers to design their own customised T-shirt or tote bag by uploading images, adding text or using drawing and sticker tools in the UT.me! app. The personalised designs can then be printed on site.
In the RE.Uniqlo Studio, which has been enlarged and improved, customers can recycle, repair and customise their favourite items to extend their lifespan and enjoy them for years to come. Here you will also find unique personalised second-hand items. Uniqlo already has more than 20 such repair studios in Europe and 50 worldwide. The retailer is expanding that number even further.
Local ambassadors
The Japanese retailer’s local accents are striking. There is a campaign with ten local ambassadors. Vegan bakery Funk has a strong presence, not only with a collection of three exclusive T-shirts designed in honour of the store opening, but also with ten embroidery designs in the RE.Uniqlo Studio and a Bakery Funk vending machine where customers can buy snacks. Skate and sneaker shop Lockwood has also designed two limited edition UT.me! T-shirts for the store opening.
