GU (retailer) explained

G.U. Co., Ltd.
Native Name:株式会社ジーユー
Native Name Lang:ja
Romanized Name:Kabushikigaisha Jīyū
Type:KK
Industry:Fashion retail
Parent:Fast Retailing
Location City:Minato, Tokyo
Location Country:Japan
Num Locations:478

is a Japanese discount casual wear designer, manufacturer, and retailer.[1] It is a wholly owned subsidiary of Fast Retailing, the parent company of Uniqlo. The name is a pun of the word, meaning "liberty, freedom" and its slogan means . Its signature product[2] [3] is a pair of jeans[4] costing ($ USD),[5] though they ceased production in January 2014.[6], there are 478 locations globally.Francesco Risso has been appointed creative director of GU.

History

GU opened its first shop in Chiba Prefecture in October 2006[7] as a more affordable concept in fashion than Uniqlo. In September 2013, the company opened its first overseas shop in Shanghai,[8] [9] later expanding to Taiwan in September 2014[10] and South Korea in September 2018.[11] [12] In October 2022, GU opened its first pop-up shop in the United States in New York City, selecting SoHo, Manhattan to test out the North American market.[13] [14] GU opened its first permanent global flagship store on 19 September 2024, directly opposite from its former location. The pop-up store closed on 31 July 2024, shortly before the flagship store's grand opening.[15] [16]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: GU FAST RETAILING CO., LTD. . www.fastretailing.com . 2025-04-10 . Fast Retailing . 2022-05-17 . en . https://web.archive.org/web/20250518012742/https://www.fastretailing.com/eng/group/gov/ . 2025-05-18 . live.
  2. Web site: Kudo . Takahiro . gekiyasu jīnzu no naga sa o kuraberu . ja:激安ジーンズの長さを比べる . Comparing the length of super cheap jeans . dailyportalz.jp . . 18 May 2025 . https://web.archive.org/web/20250518004609/https://dailyportalz.jp/b/2009/12/27/b/2.htm . 2025-05-18 . . 2 . ja . 2009-12-27 . live.
  3. Web site: Raitāpurofīru: Kudō Takahiro . ja:ライタープロフィール . Writer profile: Takahiro Kudo . デイリーポータルZ . . 18 May 2025 . https://web.archive.org/web/20250518004226/https://dailyportalz.jp/writer/kijilist/202?ccm_paging_p=3 . 2025-05-18 . Shinagawa, Tokyo, Japan . 3 . ja . 15 October 2018 . live.
  4. Web site: g.u. new price declaration – round 3 FAST RETAILING CO., LTD. . www.fastretailing.com . Fast Retailing . 18 May 2025 . https://web.archive.org/web/20250518004839/https://www.fastretailing.com/eng/group/news/0909081600.html . 2025-05-18 . en . 2009-09-08 . live.
  5. Web site: Kaori . Manabe . Fasutorigurūpu ga “990 en jīnzu”... Raifu Nyūsu . ja:ファストリグループが“990円ジーンズ”... ライフニュース . Fast Retailing Group Sells "990yen Jeans"... Life News . Oricon Customer Satisfaction Rankings . . 18 May 2025 . https://web.archive.org/web/20250518004731/https://life.oricon.co.jp/news/63953/ . 2025-05-18 . ja . 2009-03-10 . live.
  6. Web site: Jae-hyuk . Park . Uniqlo faces 'cannibalization' for GU entering Korea . www.koreatimes.co.kr . . 18 May 2025 . https://web.archive.org/web/20250518085830/https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/business/companies/20180719/uniqlo-faces-cannibalization-for-gu-entering-korea . 2025-05-18 . en . 19 July 2018 . GU's signature 990 yen jeans ... will not be available in Korea, as the company stopped selling them in Japan in January 2014. . live.
  7. Web site: About GU GU STORE STAFF . 2023-08-20 . LIFE at FR FAST RETAILING CAREER OPPORTUNITIES . en.
  8. News: About GU. Fast Retailing. 2022-09-11. en.
  9. Web site: Fast Retailing Co., Ltd. . Fast Retailing . GU to Open First Oversea Store in Shanghai . www.fastretailing.com . 18 May 2025 . https://web.archive.org/web/20250518031901/https://www.fastretailing.com/eng/group/news/1308281500.html . 2025-05-18 . en-US . 2013-08-28 . live.
  10. News: Uniqlo's GU expands to Taiwan. 2018-07-23. Inside Retail. 2025-11-30. en.
  11. News: Japanese casual wear retailer G.U. to open first store in South Korea. 2018-07-23. The Japan Times Online. 2018-08-03. en-US. 0447-5763.
  12. News: Japanese casual wear retailer G.U. to advance into South Korea. Kyodo News. Kyodo News+. 2018-08-03. en-US.
  13. Web site: Palmieri . Jean E. . Uniqlo Sibling GU Opens First U.S. Store in SoHo . Women's Wear Daily . . 2022-12-21 . https://web.archive.org/web/20250518072740/https://wwd.com/business-news/retail/uniqlo-gu-first-u-s-store-soho-fast-retailing-1235380717/ . 2025-05-18 . 6 October 2022 . live.
  14. Web site: Silbert . Jake . UNIQLO'S FASTER-FASHION BRAND, GU, FINALLY DEBUTS OVERSEAS . High Snobiety . 7 October 2022 . Titel Media GmbH . 8 May 2023.
  15. News: Fast Retailing's GU to open New York City flagship. Inside Retail Asia. 2024-05-15. en.
  16. Web site: GU USA Come in and say hi before we close our doors for good on July 31… . www.instagram.com . gu_usa_official . 18 May 2025 . Instagram . https://archive.today/20250518041318/https://www.instagram.com/p/C-AzWrCgdRt/ . 2025-05-18 . 2024-07-29 . live.

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