The launch of Japanese retailer Uniqlo's 24th Australian store this week provided a preview of Christmas shopping COVID-19 style.

The socially distanced customer queue spilled from the foyer of Westfield Bondi Junction into Sydney's Oxford Street, and Uniqlo staff wearing the traditional red-and-white happi coats and not-so-traditional black masks made sure only 100 shoppers entered the 1323 square metre store at a time.