Clothing giant Uniqlo opens pop-up in Hobart, ignites speculation over potential for permanent store

Hobart shoppers have flocked to a pop-up unveiled by hugely popular Japanese casual clothing retailer Uniqlo, expressing hope that the company could open a permanent store in the capital.

Indira Gardener, retail team member at the Uniqlo pop-up store at Eastlands. Picture: Caroline Tan

Popular Japanese retailer Uniqlo has unveiled a pop-up store on Hobart’s Eastern Shore, igniting feverish speculation that the casual clothing company could be testing the waters before opening a permanent outlet in the state capital.

While there are no items available for purchase at the Eastlands Shopping Centre pop-up, a selection of products from Uniqlo’s Pufftech, Heattech and Cashmere ranges are available to view and feel.

There are also special offers to be redeemed, such as a free Round Ultra Mini Bag with online purchases of $75 or more (only on Sunday, May 11), and a free Heattech crew-neck long-sleeve t-shirt available for Uniqlo app members on Saturday, May 17, while stocks last.

Uniqlo pop up store in Eastland Rosny Park. Picture: Caroline Tan

Fans of the brand, which describes its clothing as “LifeWear”, flocked to the pop-up on Sunday, grabbing their free bags and asking questions about Uniqlo’s products.

A Uniqlo spokesperson said while there were “no immediate plans” to open a permanent store in Hobart “we are always exploring new opportunities to expand our retail footprint and bring LifeWear to new communities”.

“We are excited to bring our LifeWear pop-up to Eastlands Shopping Centre in Hobart and provide the local community with the opportunity to touch and feel some of our most popular product ranges,” the spokesperson said.

“This is Uniqlo’s first introduction into Tasmania and we are very eager to connect with the Hobart community.”

Uniqlo has 39 stores in every Australian state and territory bar Tasmania, the ACT, and NT, and more than 2500 worldwide. The company was launched 40 years ago and is headquartered in Yamaguchi, Japan.

Bellerive resident Imogen Wegman redeemed a free bag at the Eastlands pop-up and said she always stopped in at a Uniqlo store whenever she was travelling.

Imogen Wegman, a customer at the Uniqlo pop-up store at Eastlands. Picture: Caroline Tan

“There are lots of basic [items] that I often get from [Uniqlo]. They never top the ethical clothing [rankings], so I don’t love that. But in terms of some of their basic [products], they’re really good,” she said.

“I get a lot of their Merino tops, and they have the same consistency across the years. You know that you’ll get the same size in some new colours, and you know what to expect.”

Dr Wegman said there were “lots” of people “milling about” the pop-up on Sunday and that she would like to see a permanent Uniqlo store opened in Hobart.

“It would be great to have [a store] a little bit closer than a flight [to the mainland] or having to ship things, which is not great,” she said.

The Uniqlo LifeWear pop-up is open on the upper level of Eastlands at Rosny from Sunday, May 11 until Sunday, May 18.

Originally published as Clothing giant Uniqlo opens pop-up in Hobart, ignites speculation over potential for permanent store