Uniqlo has launched its 20th store in the UK at the Coal Drops Yard in King’s Cross, London.
- The store is designed by Heatherwick Studio, featuring Victorian architecture with modern elements.
- Unique features include a children’s vending machine and mobile repair stations.
- A collaboration with Central Saint Martins students offers exclusive embroidery designs.
- The Coal Drops Yard location highlights Uniqlo’s innovation and adaptive strategies.
Located on the southern point of the Coal Drops Yard retail development in London, Uniqlo has inaugurated its latest store in a three-storey Victorian coal shed. The 9,000 square foot retail unit opened on 19 September and has been beautifully redesigned by Heatherwick Studio. This design firm has ingeniously retained the building’s industrial Victorian heritage, evident in the exposed brick walls and robust wooden beams, blending historical charm with contemporary retail flair.
The store provides a comprehensive selection of Uniqlo’s women’s and men’s fashion items, including popular offerings such as the adjustable-strap shoulder bag and the lightweight ‘soufflé’ yarn knitwear. These products, crafted from a blend of wool and acrylic, showcase Uniqlo’s commitment to quality and style. An innovative addition to this store is a vending machine on the ground floor, dispensing a curated range of children’s wear, adding an element of convenience and novelty to the shopping experience.
Marking a first in the UK, this location features mobile repair and customisation stations which can be easily moved around the store. This concept is aimed at enriching customer interaction and offering a bespoke shopping service. Additionally, the store’s adjoining outdoor terrace is equipped with a custom-made ping pong table, marrying leisure with retail therapy.
In a creative partnership, Uniqlo collaborated with students from the neighbouring Central Saint Martins college at the University of the Arts London. This collaboration resulted in exclusive embroidery designs, integrating aspects of the local neighbourhood such as Regent’s Canal into fashion items available only at this location. This initiative highlights Uniqlo’s dedication to community engagement and promoting local talent.
Previously reported by Drapers in January, Uniqlo’s foray into Coal Drops Yard expands their footprint amidst ongoing UK and international growth. The year 2024 has also witnessed the opening of another London outlet on Oxford Street, as well as a debut location in Scotland at Edinburgh’s Princes Street. These strategic expansions underscore Uniqlo’s adaptive strategies in the competitive retail market.
Uniqlo’s new store at King’s Cross marks a significant development in its retail strategy, blending innovation with heritage.
