Customers line Rundle Mall ahead of opening of global Japanese retail store Uniqlo
Hundreds of eager shoppers queued for hours to enter Adelaide’s long-awaited Uniqlo store, exited “to see what all the fuss is about”.
Lifestyle
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Hundreds of eager customers have lined Rundle Mall in the hopes of being the first through the doors of Adelaide’s new Uniqlo store.
It is believed the queue began to form around 6am and has now reached the halfway mark of the shopping strip.
Peter and Dita Tamm from Dernancourt waited about 40 minutes in line for the opening.
Mr Tamm, 82, said he just wanted to see what the store was doing differently to other stores in the mall.
“They’ve just gone the next step. And we’ve been to Japan, so we have experienced the Japanese culture a bit, so let’s see what they put on,” he said.
Mr Tamm said he was after some new shoes or would look around for something that strikes him.
Further along the line were Alison and Dean Miller from Salisbury who said they came along to try and snag a free goodie bag that were offered to the first 1,000 customers who spent over $100.
“We’ve been to the one in Melbourne before...it’s pretty good, they’ve got everything,” Ms Miller said.
The pair expected to be in line for half an hour, but were excited to get their hands on some of Uniqlo’s unique anime collaborations as well as wardrobe staples.
Uniqlo superfan Tash took some time off work to make a trip to the grand opening. She said she’s been waiting for an Adelaide store for years.
“They’ve got one particular pant that I’m addicted to, so I’ve been buying them online,” she said.
“I’ve worn out of my last pair because I was very much waiting for this day.”
The store opened at 10am on Thursday, following an official ribbon cutting ceremony and a Japanese taiko drumming celebration.
Previously, South Australians had to travel interstate to shop the Japanese lifewear brand.
Known for puffer jackets, the global retailer also offers apparel with built-in technology such as UV-protection – and accessories to suit all ages at affordable prices.
One of the first shoppers to leave the store with $240 worth of clothing and a goody bag was Nayana Jani from Glandore.
She left the store about 10.20am and said she bought formal clothes for her daughters. She had lined up at about 9.15am.
“It’s all good quality and at a reasonable price, I only bought things for my daughters, nothing for myself,” she said.
In her goody bag was a backpack, Uniqlo tote bag, water bottle, Pocky, and a magazine.
10 things we love about Uniqlo
Here’s 10 things we love about Uniqlo after taking a sneak peek at the new shopping mecca on Wednesday.
1. ACCESSORIES
Hats off to Uniqlo for having ace accessories such as its Roger Federer cap, $39.90, which would make a great stocking stuffer for the best dad ever this Christmas. There’s also a cute neon bum bag for darling daughters. Hint, hint.
2. DAY OF THE DENIM
Uniqlo’s denim offering is pure jean-ius! Not only is there a wide selection of washes and styles to choose from, but you can have your new jean’s hems taken up for free. And – better still – you will be able to pick them up on the same day.
3. CLOTHES TO CHILL OUT IN
Uniqlo clothes aren’t ordinary but you’ll want to wear them every day because they are so comfy. There’s also heaps of gender neutral pieces, such as the surf print tees. Items like 1990s-inspired slip dresses can also take you from beach to the bar, by swapping your Birkenstocks for Bottega Veneta heels.
4. SO MANY COLOURS
If anyone ever tells you Uniqlo is beige, you should sock it to them. As in, show them Uniqlo’s wall of socks, where there’s a rainbow of colours to choose from.
5. STRESS-FREE SHIRTS
There’s nothing worse than domestic chores – such as having to iron a shirt for work – cutting in to your weekday sleep-in. Uniqlo has your back, with shirts for men and women that don’t even require a “quick press’. We especially love the Rayon Short Sleeve “easy-to-wash elegance” women’s shirts that come in a range of colours and polka dots for $39.90. You had us at drip dry.
6. LINEN TO LIVE IN
We’ve established a shirt that doesn’t need any ironing is the business for nine to five. But there’s nothing cooler than a linen shirt for after hours. Especially when it's a 100 per cent European linen shirt from Uniqlo.
7. DESIGNER COLLARS
Imagine being able to pay peanuts for Paris’s PAUL & JOE. Well you can at Uniqlo, which regularly collaborates with designer labels. And what is not to love about a purr-fect kitty print by Paul & Joe.
8. SNOOPY & CO.
Speaking of Peanuts … Uniqlo is having a moment with the world’s most famous beagle. You’ll find Snoopy and his friends such as Charlie Brown, Linus and Woodstock on a range of Uniqlo items including T-shirts for kids and adults. It’s to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the birth of Peanuts creator Charles Schulz.
9. BIG ON SMALLS
Uniqlo’s underwear is a surprise package, be it trunks or wire-free bras with 3D technology.
10. ULTRA LIGHT DOWN IS UP THERE
What Uniqlo list would be complete without mentioning its take on the puffer – the ULTRA LIGHT DOWN jacket. Actually, we should say puffers because it comes in several styles. They include a longline design and a vest, which really isn’t a jacket but, you know.
ULTRA LIGHT DOWN is the stuff of legends; it has what feels like not a lot of stuffing but is super warm. While other bulky puffers make you feel and look like the Michelin Tyre Man, the ULTRA LIGHT DOWN jacket is a sleeker style in keeping with Uniqlo’s less is more approach to dressing. Its also folds up to practically nothing to fit into a little bag making it the perfect travel companion.
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