UNIQLO's sustainability commitment

Japanese fashion group Fast Retailing is one company that is really committed to its sustainability promise, implementing novel measures to recycle, donate, reuse, upcycle and spearhead a real and practical pre-owned fashion practice that may be the most sustainable move in a world that carelessly uses its resources and is slow to conserve what is now dwindling in some parts of the world.

- MARIANNE GO

In its televideo media and analyst briefing Wednesday, the fourth such annual briefing by the company, Fast Retailing unveiled its vision of LifeWear = a New Industry, which it is pursuing through a business model in which growth and sustainability are linked objectives.

The company's Ariake Project is an ongoing business transformation initiated in 2017 that is ensuring that progress is achieved toward its sustainability goals.

According to Koji Yanai, Fast Retailing Group senior executive officer, the company "aims to make and sell only the products our customers really want. At the same time, he said, "we are building a supply chain that considers the environment and human rights for our customers' peace of mind."

Fast Retailing is, thus, eliminating unnecessary items and gradually establishing a business centered on products customers want most and are likely to wear often. The company is not aiming to produce items that are trendy and likely to be worn for a limited period of time.

During the briefing, company officials expressed their belief that it is the customers who individualize their style, building on the quality and timeless pieces offered by the UNIQLO brand.

Fast Retailing, acknowledging the effect of climate change, has expanded its lineup of year-round mainstay products to meet customer needs. Instead of the conventional method of dividing items into Spring/Summer and Fall/Winter lines, it has strengthened its product mix to offer items with high demand throughout the year.