UNIQLO EXPANDS IN THE NETHERLANDS: SECOND AMSTERDAM STORE OPENING, WITH ROTTERDAM NEXT

On a cloudy Wednesday morning in Amsterdam, we grabbed our coats and made our way to the grand opening of UNIQLO's second store on Koningsplein. The global apparel retailer is leading the charge toward a more conscious approach to fashion, and we couldn’t have been more excited to witness it firsthand. Next week, the brand will continue its expansion in the Netherlands with the highly anticipated opening of its flagship store in Rotterdam, promising a mindful shopping experience that is sure to impress. But first, let’s take a moment to explore the captivating details of the new Amsterdam location.

“We look forward to bringing our LifeWear, clothing that is designed to make people’s lives better, to a new city and to new communities by partnering  with local creatives and businesses, very much in line with our Japanese origins. Each new store will provide a wide range of products along with special services that we are very excited to introduce to our Dutch and international visitors."

— Kaman Leung, Chief Operating Officer of UNIQLO BENELUX

AMSTERDAM

As soon as we stepped into the new space, a display of cashmere sweaters—designed with Amsterdam’s community in mind—greeted us, sending a clear message: UNIQLO puts customer experience at the forefront.
As we explored further, archival images revealed the rich history of the building, offering a glimpse of Koningsplein in the 1890s. Adding a local touch, a curated map featured the top 10 must-visit spots in the area.
On the top floor is one of the store's many highlights: the RE.UNIQLO studio, a dedicated space where tailors upcycle, repair, and recycle pre-loved items that were destined to be discarded, in a unique and creative way. The best part? It’s accessible for everyone. Customers can now refresh their everyday LifeWear with a jumper from 2010 that looks brand new. 

Centered around the concept of QUALITY OVER QUANTITY coined by recycling queen Vivienne Westwood, UNIQLO champions sustainability, longevity, and personalization—while promoting the work of local creatives.

Denim expert Mick Keus, renowned for tailoring discarded denim, will offer personalized customization at his studio for each UNIQLO jeans purchase, and for today’s occasion he is displaying specially designed custom pieces. Meanwhile, Amsterdam’s celebrated tattoo artist Joey de Boer is translating his popular tattoo designs into embroidery, drawing clear inspiration from the city. The new designs can be applied to UNIQLO products at the RE.UNIQLO Studio and will be available throughout the FW24 season. Last but not least, Sandy van Helden, known for her bold and vibrant illustrations, customized the space for the occasion with city-inspired drawings. She also designed flower patches made from recycled textiles, which are available for purchase.

ROTTERDAM

Meanwhile, UNIQLO is generating buzz ahead of its inaugural store opening on Lijnbaan. Positioned as a genuine hub of creativity, the brand will introduce the UTme! machine, complementing its diverse LifeWear collection for women, men, and children. This innovative feature will allow customers to personalize their own unique T-shirts by combining images, text, and illustrations, and will showcase exclusive collaborations with local creatives like WOEI, Elmer Konjo, and De Bonte Koe. Special-edition T-shirts will be available exclusively at the Rotterdam store. Furthermore, Elmer Konjo will design limited-edition tote bags for the first 100 customers on October 10th, and family-owned chocolate shop De Bonte Koe will offer a sweet treat—a selection of handmade chocolates to UNIQLO customers.