Comments on: The Uniqlo Experience in Suburbia http://theonlinecitizen.com/2009/04/the-uniqlo-experience-in-suburbia/ a community of Singaporeans Fri, 10 Feb 2012 07:49:39 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Walter http://theonlinecitizen.com/2009/04/the-uniqlo-experience-in-suburbia/comment-page-1/#comment-65409 Walter Thu, 23 Apr 2009 15:29:28 +0000 http://theonlinecitizen.com/?p=8153#comment-65409 Well I suppose the fewer number of people you noticed at the store, vbg, as compared to the snaking queues that Darren saw when he paid UNIQLO a visit could be attributable to the end of their opening sales period on Sunday, 19th Apr. And of course, the correlation between (i) a new big-name player in the local fashion scene, (ii) crazy sales, and (iii) snaking queues should probably be evident to most by now. The craze will certainly die down sooner or later, but hasn't the same happened for other imported fashion labels into Singapore, such as Topman and Fox (all of them incidentally Wing Tai Retail outlets)? No matter what, while there may no longer be snaky queues, the brand will definitely live on amongst its target group, so there's really no need for such a big fuss. The popularity of the brand amongst my peers even before it was even launched in Singapore notwithstanding, what stands out is UNIQLO's affordable pricing of its wares as compared to other brands. (For example, $24.90 for a top as compared to $33 in Topman, $46 in Zara, $55 in River Island etc) The hospitality and service attitudes of its staff were also a refreshing change - they were très attentive to customers despite the mad crowds present when I visited the store. Also, while footwear is prohibited in their dressing room cubicles, the staff even bothered to arrange the shoes of customers in front of the cubicle doors. Whatever it is, I suppose UNIQLO is pretty much an exception to the norm. Unlike most other brands that start out in the town area and venture into the heartlands, UNIQLO is the exact opposite. We'll see the impact the opening of the ION Orchard branch in August will bring to the brand. And yes, it is nice to read a lifestyle piece on theonlinecitizen for a change! Well I suppose the fewer number of people you noticed at the store, vbg, as compared to the snaking queues that Darren saw when he paid UNIQLO a visit could be attributable to the end of their opening sales period on Sunday, 19th Apr.

And of course, the correlation between (i) a new big-name player in the local fashion scene, (ii) crazy sales, and (iii) snaking queues should probably be evident to most by now.

The craze will certainly die down sooner or later, but hasn’t the same happened for other imported fashion labels into Singapore, such as Topman and Fox (all of them incidentally Wing Tai Retail outlets)?

No matter what, while there may no longer be snaky queues, the brand will definitely live on amongst its target group, so there’s really no need for such a big fuss.

The popularity of the brand amongst my peers even before it was even launched in Singapore notwithstanding, what stands out is UNIQLO’s affordable pricing of its wares as compared to other brands. (For example, $24.90 for a top as compared to $33 in Topman, $46 in Zara, $55 in River Island etc)

The hospitality and service attitudes of its staff were also a refreshing change – they were très attentive to customers despite the mad crowds present when I visited the store. Also, while footwear is prohibited in their dressing room cubicles, the staff even bothered to arrange the shoes of customers in front of the cubicle doors.

Whatever it is, I suppose UNIQLO is pretty much an exception to the norm. Unlike most other brands that start out in the town area and venture into the heartlands, UNIQLO is the exact opposite. We’ll see the impact the opening of the ION Orchard branch in August will bring to the brand.

And yes, it is nice to read a lifestyle piece on theonlinecitizen for a change!

]]> By: vbg http://theonlinecitizen.com/2009/04/the-uniqlo-experience-in-suburbia/comment-page-1/#comment-65407 vbg Thu, 23 Apr 2009 14:56:21 +0000 http://theonlinecitizen.com/?p=8153#comment-65407 i visit unigolo no many people maybe the feng start to decrease liao i visit unigolo no many people

maybe the feng start to decrease liao

]]> By: detergent http://theonlinecitizen.com/2009/04/the-uniqlo-experience-in-suburbia/comment-page-1/#comment-65358 detergent Thu, 23 Apr 2009 09:57:25 +0000 http://theonlinecitizen.com/?p=8153#comment-65358 Whatever Brand it is...it is all make in China or some other 3rd world country sweatshop...Give it another month or so and the queue will disappear just like the doughnut queue...Next Fad please! Whatever Brand it is…it is all make in China or some other 3rd world country sweatshop…Give it another month or so and the queue will disappear just like the doughnut queue…Next Fad please!

]]> By: Tua Sian Hokkien Pain http://theonlinecitizen.com/2009/04/the-uniqlo-experience-in-suburbia/comment-page-1/#comment-65136 Tua Sian Hokkien Pain Wed, 22 Apr 2009 13:25:58 +0000 http://theonlinecitizen.com/?p=8153#comment-65136 Was in Hong Kong a few months ago and picked up some UNIQLO (Unique-Lo) T-shirts. Not really low priced, quality feels quite good though. However they need to go through a few cycles of being slept in, soak in sweat, and machine washed, before one can tell if they are really any good. Remember many other Brands also had this promising start, Marks & Spenseer, Giodarno, G2000, etc all started with good quality at reasonable price but got greedy, tried to go up-market, and set up too many marginal stores such that they need higher margins per sale, so easiest way was to cut back on quality and increase prices..... another one bites the dust.. Was in Hong Kong a few months ago and picked up some UNIQLO (Unique-Lo) T-shirts.
Not really low priced, quality feels quite good though.
However they need to go through a few cycles of being slept in, soak in sweat, and machine washed, before one can tell if they are really any good.
Remember many other Brands also had this promising start, Marks & Spenseer, Giodarno, G2000, etc all started with good quality at reasonable price but got greedy, tried to go up-market, and set up too many marginal stores such that they need higher margins per sale, so easiest way was to cut back on quality and increase prices….. another one bites the dust..

]]> By: Terence Lee http://theonlinecitizen.com/2009/04/the-uniqlo-experience-in-suburbia/comment-page-1/#comment-64897 Terence Lee Tue, 21 Apr 2009 16:06:38 +0000 http://theonlinecitizen.com/?p=8153#comment-64897 Well, so what if its a bit lifestylish and advertorial? We do need a break from the serious stuff once in a while. Well, so what if its a bit lifestylish and advertorial? We do need a break from the serious stuff once in a while.

]]> By: dfd http://theonlinecitizen.com/2009/04/the-uniqlo-experience-in-suburbia/comment-page-1/#comment-64508 dfd Mon, 20 Apr 2009 14:49:09 +0000 http://theonlinecitizen.com/?p=8153#comment-64508 should charge a fee and earn some money by reporting. should charge a fee and earn some money by reporting.

]]> By: Benedict Thambiah http://theonlinecitizen.com/2009/04/the-uniqlo-experience-in-suburbia/comment-page-1/#comment-64469 Benedict Thambiah Mon, 20 Apr 2009 13:19:52 +0000 http://theonlinecitizen.com/?p=8153#comment-64469 Dear Darren, Hey man, thanks for the post on Uniglo. Its a very good piece. Thanks to your piece, my friend and I will be checking it out next Saturday. thanks for the 'break'. cheers Dear Darren,

Hey man, thanks for the post on Uniglo.

Its a very good piece. Thanks to your piece, my friend and I will be checking it out next Saturday.

thanks for the ‘break’.

cheers

]]> By: Aygee http://theonlinecitizen.com/2009/04/the-uniqlo-experience-in-suburbia/comment-page-1/#comment-64276 Aygee Mon, 20 Apr 2009 04:51:24 +0000 http://theonlinecitizen.com/?p=8153#comment-64276 I do think one has to agree that Darren's piece is a bit too lifestylish, too advertorial, and too off-tangent to the usual TOC pieces, with all due respect to Darren and to TOC editors. I was expecting an insight to, perhaps, consumer behaviour in a recession. Darren, if you want to practice your writing, you can always blog, or use facebook notes, and Zheng Xi, perhaps put this piece under "Elsewhere on the Net"? Was this an experiment to see if "advertorials" might work as a revenue stream - checking out on the viewership? just asking, guys..no offence intended :-) anyway, i'm a uniqlo fan myslef and nothing beats the uniqlo experience in Japan - where you'll get great clothes with good Asian cuts, from upcoming japanese designers, at Giordano prices. They dont bring those things to Singapore or HK (where i live). I do think one has to agree that Darren’s piece is a bit too lifestylish, too advertorial, and too off-tangent to the usual TOC pieces, with all due respect to Darren and to TOC editors.

I was expecting an insight to, perhaps, consumer behaviour in a recession.

Darren, if you want to practice your writing, you can always blog, or use facebook notes, and Zheng Xi, perhaps put this piece under “Elsewhere on the Net”?

Was this an experiment to see if “advertorials” might work as a revenue stream – checking out on the viewership? just asking, guys..no offence intended :-)

anyway, i’m a uniqlo fan myslef and nothing beats the uniqlo experience in Japan – where you’ll get great clothes with good Asian cuts, from upcoming japanese designers, at Giordano prices. They dont bring those things to Singapore or HK (where i live).

]]> By: Terence Lee http://theonlinecitizen.com/2009/04/the-uniqlo-experience-in-suburbia/comment-page-1/#comment-63981 Terence Lee Sun, 19 Apr 2009 06:25:21 +0000 http://theonlinecitizen.com/?p=8153#comment-63981 come on, lighten up guys! come on, lighten up guys!

]]> By: smallvice_585 http://theonlinecitizen.com/2009/04/the-uniqlo-experience-in-suburbia/comment-page-1/#comment-63892 smallvice_585 Sat, 18 Apr 2009 18:27:12 +0000 http://theonlinecitizen.com/?p=8153#comment-63892 Lifestyle is fine as long as TOC maintains an alternative frontpage for such articles. Lifestyle is fine as long as TOC maintains an alternative frontpage for such articles.

]]> By: Bernard Chen http://theonlinecitizen.com/2009/04/the-uniqlo-experience-in-suburbia/comment-page-1/#comment-63889 Bernard Chen Sat, 18 Apr 2009 18:16:02 +0000 http://theonlinecitizen.com/?p=8153#comment-63889 Nice article, Darren! Nice article, Darren!

]]> By: C http://theonlinecitizen.com/2009/04/the-uniqlo-experience-in-suburbia/comment-page-1/#comment-63818 C Sat, 18 Apr 2009 11:42:35 +0000 http://theonlinecitizen.com/?p=8153#comment-63818 While it may be a refreshing change, I think TOC should stick to more meaty issues which has been it's forte & not dilute or lose it's original focus and to prevent it from being confused as yet another 'lifestyle' site. Keep lifestyle pieces to other websites/blogs. No offence to Darren. While it may be a refreshing change, I think TOC should stick to more meaty issues which has been it’s forte & not dilute or lose it’s original focus and to prevent it from being confused as yet another ‘lifestyle’ site. Keep lifestyle pieces to other websites/blogs. No offence to Darren.

]]> By: k http://theonlinecitizen.com/2009/04/the-uniqlo-experience-in-suburbia/comment-page-1/#comment-63636 k Fri, 17 Apr 2009 18:14:44 +0000 http://theonlinecitizen.com/?p=8153#comment-63636 Actually i think "lifestylish" pieces are great to lighten up the mood and entertain. Looking forward to other posts from you Darren. Cheers. Actually i think “lifestylish” pieces are great to lighten up the mood and entertain. Looking forward to other posts from you Darren. Cheers.

]]> By: darren boon http://theonlinecitizen.com/2009/04/the-uniqlo-experience-in-suburbia/comment-page-1/#comment-63624 darren boon Fri, 17 Apr 2009 16:26:03 +0000 http://theonlinecitizen.com/?p=8153#comment-63624 Hey guys, Just to clarify something. I did not receive anything from Uniqlo or anything. It's just that I'm trying my hand at lifestyle pieces. No offence to anyone out there. It's supposed to be for light reading. But thanks k for the suggestion. It is something which I would look into for an idea into the lifestyle piece in the future. Hey guys,

Just to clarify something. I did not receive anything from Uniqlo or anything. It’s just that I’m trying my hand at lifestyle pieces. No offence to anyone out there. It’s supposed to be for light reading.

But thanks k for the suggestion. It is something which I would look into for an idea into the lifestyle piece in the future.

]]> By: obamaosamataksama http://theonlinecitizen.com/2009/04/the-uniqlo-experience-in-suburbia/comment-page-1/#comment-63617 obamaosamataksama Fri, 17 Apr 2009 16:06:55 +0000 http://theonlinecitizen.com/?p=8153#comment-63617 Was at the new Tempenis Mall 1 yesterday, Crowded and the other older malls were half empty because New Jambangs attract more shitters, Am not interested with Uniqlo...just curious why youngsters and students quened to get in ! From the outside, there's nothing for me (olddies) to buy ! Obamataksamaosama ! Was at the new Tempenis Mall 1 yesterday, Crowded and the other older malls were half empty because New Jambangs attract more shitters, Am not interested with Uniqlo…just curious why youngsters and students quened to get in ! From the outside, there’s nothing for me (olddies) to buy !

Obamataksamaosama !

]]> By: Zheng Xi http://theonlinecitizen.com/2009/04/the-uniqlo-experience-in-suburbia/comment-page-1/#comment-63588 Zheng Xi Fri, 17 Apr 2009 14:27:56 +0000 http://theonlinecitizen.com/?p=8153#comment-63588 Hi guys, No money or product incentives involved at all, our writer Darren just wanted to try his hand at something more lifestylish, and we thought heck why not =) Hi guys,

No money or product incentives involved at all, our writer Darren just wanted to try his hand at something more lifestylish, and we thought heck why not =)

]]> By: k http://theonlinecitizen.com/2009/04/the-uniqlo-experience-in-suburbia/comment-page-1/#comment-63581 k Fri, 17 Apr 2009 13:53:41 +0000 http://theonlinecitizen.com/?p=8153#comment-63581 Much as my neutrality towards uniqlo, this article and why it is on TOC is intriguing. I thought there would be some insights to something (anything at all, perhaps comparison with other countries with uniqlo, or some sociological aspects about the store's clientele?) But, its just like any other reportage on uniqlo in some amateurish press and on random blogs. :/ Much as my neutrality towards uniqlo, this article and why it is on TOC is intriguing. I thought there would be some insights to something (anything at all, perhaps comparison with other countries with uniqlo, or some sociological aspects about the store’s clientele?) But, its just like any other reportage on uniqlo in some amateurish press and on random blogs. :/

]]> By: Merv http://theonlinecitizen.com/2009/04/the-uniqlo-experience-in-suburbia/comment-page-1/#comment-63478 Merv Fri, 17 Apr 2009 05:38:53 +0000 http://theonlinecitizen.com/?p=8153#comment-63478 What's this, a paid blogertisment? What’s this, a paid blogertisment?

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