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#41 Fast Retailing

BY
Stephanie Schomer
 
July 12, 2012

Fast Retailing is just that -- fast. Uniqlo's parent company has rapidly bought companies and expanded its footprint as part of CEO Tadashi Yanai's quest to make it the world's largest apparel retailer. (Zara owner Inditex is No. 1.) Stellar sales recently prompted the Japanese firm to hike profit projections for this fiscal year by 8.9%. Six outposts of the growing empire:

1) Uniqlo

The affordable brand upped its fashion cred by luring famed designer Jil Sander to be its creative director. Uniqlo also sits at the vanguard of retail Web sites, with a stunning online home designed by the pioneering Yugo Nakamura.

2) GOV Retailing

The product of a merger of three Fast Retailing units, GOV now includes shoe brand Foot Park and clothier G.u. (the name sounds like the Japanese word for freedom). G.u.'s motto: "Buy with ease, wear with ease." It keeps the first part of that bargain with $10 jeans.

3) Cabin Co.

The women's fashion company, including Japanese brands Zazie, Real Riche, Enraciné, We-nge, and E.A.P., became a wholly owned Fast Retailing subsidiary in 2008. Uniqlo's retail experts have been called in to revamp marketing and store operations.

4) Comptoir des Cotonniers

Fast Retailing acquired this French-born retailer, which targets mothers and daughters, five years ago. Under its new corporate umbrella, the brand has expanded across Asia and Europe, adding children's, lingerie, and accessories lines.

5) Princesse Tam.Tam

The French lingerie and swimwear brand, acquired in 2005, now has a presence in 45 countries and is available in high-end department stores, including Harrods and Neiman Marcus.

6) Link Theory Holdings

The top brands at this company -- part of the Fast Retailing family since 2003 -- are New York-based Theory and the minimalist, upscale Helmut Lang.

WHEN
FOUNDED
1949 		HEADQUARTERS
Yamaguchi, Japan		 CEO
Tadashi Yanai		 NUMBER OF
EMPLOYEES
11,037

Fast Retailing

total revenues for most recent fiscal year
$7.5 Billion

what the company is most famous for
Making casual retailer Uniqlo a global brand.

why it's innovative
For continuing the expansion of it retailing empire with hopes of passing the Gap and Inditex as the world's largest apparel retailer.

web
http://www.fastretailing.com

facebook
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Uniqlo-Singapore/48050108889

twitter
http://twitter.com/Uniqlo_uk

Fast Company
The 100 Most Creative People in Business 2009 #24 Jil Sander