In my new tradition of going shopping after work on Fridays (oops, this completely defeats my plan to stay in and save money) I recently made a much anticipated pilgrimage to the new Uniqlo flagship on Fifth Avenue. It is one mammoth store. An unseasoned shopper could easily get lost in there, but maybe that's part of its genius.
This flagship is an excellent example of retail done right. It impresses, it excites and it convinces you that you desperately need an assortment of CHIC basics in a rainbow of colors. I needed a navy cashmere v-neck. Maybe you need red denim or a new white blouse. The prices are definitely reasonable and the quality is very good from a "you get what you pay for" stand point. Visually the 3rd floor is the store's pièce de résistance, opening up into the world's largest dream closet. Rows of shelves run as far as the eye can see, carrying neatly folded knits, sweaters, pants and tees, organized first by color and then by size. The minimalist layout is intended to be user friendly on a level that other retailers have yet to incorporate into their shopping experience.
Maybe the many innovative retail strategies exhibited by this Japanese export are the status quo in cutting edge Tokyo, but they are definitely bringing something new to the shopping arena out West. Perhaps I better fly over there to do some further research into Asian retailing concepts? Tokyo, Seoul, Hong Kong - here I come!
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| Going up the escalator |
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| a little Tokyo brought to Manhattan |
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| an endless corridor of clothing |
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| huge tv screens provide for interactive displays |
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