GU (retailer)
G.U. (ジーユー, jīyū) is a Japanese discount casual wear designer, manufacturer and retailer, with 451 stores (As of 31 May 2022) across Japan.[1] It is fully owned by the company Fast Retailing, which is better known as the owner of the retail chain Uniqlo. The name is a pun of the word jiyū (自由), meaning "liberty, freedom" (from high cost clothing). Its signature product is a pair of jeans, which costs 990 yen. As of February 2023 there are 455 locations.[2]
 | |
| Type | KK |
|---|---|
| Industry | Fashion retail |
| Founded | 21 February 1973 |
| Headquarters | , Japan |
Number of locations | 455 |
| Parent | Fast Retailing |
| Website | gu-global |
History
GU opened its first shop in Chiba in October 2006[3] as a more affordable concept in fashion than Uniqlo. In 2013, the company opened its first overseas shop in Shanghai.[4] In 2018, G.U. opened its first store in South Korea.[5][6] In 2022, G.U. opened its first store in the United States at New York City.[7][8]
References
- "Company Introduction". Fast Retailing. 4 August 2022. Retrieved 11 September 2022.
- "GU | FAST RETAILING CO., LTD". www.fastretailing.com. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
- "About GU | GU STORE STAFF". LIFE at FR | FAST RETAILING CAREER OPPORTUNITIES. Retrieved 20 August 2023.
- "About GU". Fast Retailing. Retrieved 11 September 2022.
- "Japanese casual wear retailer G.U. to open first store in South Korea". The Japan Times Online. 23 July 2018. ISSN 0447-5763. Retrieved 3 August 2018.
- NEWS, KYODO. "Japanese casual wear retailer G.U. to advance into South Korea". Kyodo News+. Retrieved 3 August 2018.
- "Uniqlo Sibling GU Opens First U.S. Store in SoHo". Women's Wear Dailey. Retrieved 21 December 2022.
- Silbert, Jake (7 October 2022). "UNIQLO'S FASTER-FASHION BRAND, GU, FINALLY DEBUTS OVERSEAS". High Snobiety. Titel Media GmbH. Retrieved 8 May 2023.