Uniqlo is gearing up for a big American expansion: The Japanese apparel giant announced plans to open 11 new stores across the U.S. in 2026, including flagship locations in San Francisco and Chicago—the brand’s first outside of New York City. The move signals a confident new chapter for Uniqlo as it celebrates 20 years since opening its SoHo flagship, the company’s first global store outside Japan.
In addition to the two new flagships, four New York City openings are on the way—Williamsburg, Union Square, World Trade Center and Bryant Park on 5th Avenue—cementing the brand’s deep roots in the city that first embraced it. Rounding out the expansion, new stores are planned for Boston, Seattle, Maryland and Washington D.C., extending Uniqlo’s footprint in key coastal markets.
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For San Francisco, the return is particularly symbolic. Uniqlo shuttered its Powell Street flagship in 2021 amid the city’s retail shakeup. Now, the brand is set to reopen nearby at 801 Market Street, formerly home to Old Navy’s flagship—a full-circle moment for Bay Area fans who’ve missed the store’s signature blend of simplicity and style.
“Our strategy is about thoughtful growth—opening the right stores in the right places,” said Fuminori Adachi, Uniqlo USA CEO. “These new stores are not only a milestone of our growth, but a way of honoring the customers who welcomed us two decades ago.”
Each location will spotlight Uniqlo’s LifeWear philosophy—clothing designed to make life better—alongside its high-tech RFID self-checkouts, alteration services and RE.UNIQLO donation bins. Select stores will feature UTme! custom T-shirt printing and RE.UNIQLO Studios for embroidery and repairs.
Founded in Hiroshima in 1984, Uniqlo now operates more than 2,500 stores worldwide, including 78 in the U.S. As the brand eyes its next 20 years stateside, this expansion isn’t just about retail space—it’s about reaffirming the quiet power of timeless, functional design in an ever-shifting fashion landscape.
Here are the new U.S. Uniqlo store openings planned for 2026:
Williamsburg (New York City)
Union Square (New York City)
Bryant Park, 5th Avenue (New York City)
World Trade Center (New York City)
600 N. Michigan Avenue (Chicago)
Oakbrook Mall (Chicago)
830 Market Street (San Francisco)
Downtown Crossing: 395-403 Washington Street (Boston)
Annapolis Mall (Maryland)
Georgetown Park: 3262 M Street NW (Washington D.C.)
Issaquah Commons (Seattle)
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