Please note: this is an old article
It was published in February 2014, so the information may be out-of-date.
It is no bigger than a suburban family kitchen but on Friday morning more than 20 shoppers - plus staff - squeezed into the snug Swanston Street space that is home to Japanese retailer Uniqlo's first Australian pop-up store.
Outside, a further 15 people queue waiting for a free gift - one of Uniqlo's signature ''sweat-free'' inner garments.
The Japanese retail giant quietly opened the pop-up outlet last weekend before the launch of its first Australian flagship store at Melbourne's Emporium complex in March.
But a week on, there is nothing quiet about the bustling pop-up shop.
''Have you heard of Uniqlo?'' a friendly staffer asks those who have paused outside.
Many have. Some haven't.
''I first discovered it in when I was in New York in June last year. They had this huge store on Fifth Avenue over three levels,'' says visual merchandiser Sarah Stephens. ''What I liked about it was the great prices but the quality was also unbelievable ... I was so excited when I heard they were coming to Melbourne.''
Catherina McCulloch may not have heard of Uniqlo until she stumbled across it on Friday, but she was equally impressed.
''It's cheap. But the fabric feels great ... and the staff were really lovely.'' She sounds surprised.
Uniqlo is a Japanese casualwear retailer famous for its affordable, quality basics. Prices in the Melbourne store are comparable with the retailers' international prices, with basic singlets and tees starting from $14.90. It's popular polos and ultra stretch jeans sell for $29.90 and $59.90 respectively. With 1200 stores in 14 countries, it is the latest international clothing juggernaut to set up in Australia, hot on the heels of Gap, Topshop and Zara and just months before Swedish retailer H&M opens its first Australian flagship at Melbourne's GPO.
A spokeswoman for H&M confirmed on Friday the store will open in the ''first half of this year''. Renovations are expected to begin shortly, with all ground floor fashion retailers at the GPO preparing to move out by the end of the month. Iconic American clothing chain Brooks Brothers will also open at the Emporium in March, while J.Crew, Banana Republic, Abercrombie and Fitch, River Island, Next and Forever 21 also have their sights set on Australia, according to local commercial property agents.
News of the ongoing international invasion may not spell good news for local retailers who are desperately trying to cling on to their market share, but Australian shoppers are happy.
''It's great for the consumer to have this competition and choice,'' Mrs McCulloch says. New international players, such as Uniqlo, say they are not concerned their market share will be squeezed.
''I think the response to our pop up has shown we have quite a strong following [here],'' a spokeswoman for Uniqlo said.
This story was found at the link below and written by the Age