Uniqlo Owner Fast Retailing to Open first GU Discount Clothing Store in US

The store will open in the SoHo neighborhood of New York City. Reuters file photo
The store will open in the SoHo neighborhood of New York City. Reuters file photo
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Uniqlo Owner Fast Retailing to Open first GU Discount Clothing Store in US

The store will open in the SoHo neighborhood of New York City. Reuters file photo
The store will open in the SoHo neighborhood of New York City. Reuters file photo

Japan's Fast Retailing, the owner of global clothing chain Uniqlo, said on Thursday it would open its first discount brand GU store in the United States this autumn.

The store will open in the SoHo neighborhood of New York City in what will be the brand's debut outside of the Asian market, Fast Retailing said in a statement.

The company has opened about 450 GU outlets since 2006, mostly in Japan. Fast Retailing is planning an aggressive growth strategy across North America, a market that has become increasingly important as sales in China suffer from ongoing COVID-19 lockdowns.



UK Fashion Group ASOS Names New Finance Boss 

ASOS is navigating a changing competitive landscape, with rivals Shein and Temu gaining ground in its core markets of the UK and the United States in recent years. (AFP)
ASOS is navigating a changing competitive landscape, with rivals Shein and Temu gaining ground in its core markets of the UK and the United States in recent years. (AFP)
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UK Fashion Group ASOS Names New Finance Boss 

ASOS is navigating a changing competitive landscape, with rivals Shein and Temu gaining ground in its core markets of the UK and the United States in recent years. (AFP)
ASOS is navigating a changing competitive landscape, with rivals Shein and Temu gaining ground in its core markets of the UK and the United States in recent years. (AFP)

British online fashion retailer ASOS on Tuesday named Aaron Izzard, director of group finance, as its new CFO as the current finance boss, Dave Murray, will be stepping down on June 30 to pursue other opportunities.

Murray, a former Amazon executive who joined ASOS as CFO in April 2024, will remain with the company for a handover period, ASOS said.

Izzard, who joined ASOS as head of retail finance in 2017, has held several finance roles at the company over more than eight years. His appointment will be effective July 1.

Since the end of April 2024, when Murray took up the role of CFO, ASOS shares are down roughly 8% as of Monday's close.

ASOS is navigating a changing competitive landscape, with rivals Shein and Temu gaining ground in its core markets of the UK and the United States in recent years.

However, the British retailer could benefit from new headwinds facing its Chinese competitors, including high US import tariffs under President Donald Trump and changes to customs rules on direct-to-consumer shipments in both countries.

In April, ASOS said it was well-positioned to withstand the impact of the US tariffs and reported a rise in half-year earnings, signaling early progress in efforts to revive its fast-fashion appeal among younger shoppers.