Uniqlo is planning to return to downtown San Francisco, four years after shutting its flagship store in Union Square. The Japanese retailer is considering a new location at 801 Market Street, two blocks from its former site at 111 Powell Street, according to a report by the San Francisco Chronicle.
After closing its San Francisco flagship in 2021 due to the pandemic, Uniqlo was among several major retailers—including Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s—that exited their large stores in the city. Now, company officials say conditions are favorable for a comeback. Tomo Yasuda, Uniqlo’s North America real estate director, said the company is nearing confirmation of a new location and continues to view San Francisco as an important market.
Yasuda and other Uniqlo executives met with Mayor Daniel Lurie and his staff this summer. During these meetings, Uniqlo aimed to explore ways to “partner with the city to rejuvenate the city and have a successful opening.” The company also discussed “commitments to making the downtown better” and how to “help to speed up our permitting process.”
Although the new store’s address has not been finalized, a spokesperson for Pontegadea—the investment firm that owns Pacific Place at 801 Market Street—said earlier this year that it was “working on a lease with Uniqlo for Pac Place.” Old Navy previously occupied this space before closing in 2023.
If finalized, Uniqlo’s return would signal further post-pandemic growth for the brand. The company already operates Bay Area locations at Stonestown Galleria mall in San Francisco and in Emeryville since 2013.
