UNIQLO Metrotown: Finally!

Within a span of 41 days Metrotown debuted two of Japan's hottest retail exports to Western Canada. With the same enthusiasm we greeted MUJI, Vancouver showed UNIQLO the TLC that it deserves by showing up in droves. I had no intention of going on opening day, since I've witnessed the fandom that is MUJI's grand opening, but in my mission to track a particular pair of sneakers, I decided to take this side quest and check it out.

At first I saw a short line-up that started at the lower level and made its way up via the non-operational escalator. Groups of 20-30 people were herded into the store at a time but there was still a wait, so I decided to go elsewhere. When I came back about a half hour later, the line was gone and the stanchions open for free entry. So I took a gander.

UNIQLO grand opening at Metrotown. There was a steady stream of people piling in between the stanchions to gain access to the store. I was very patient to try and get a photo with as few obstructionists as possible. I'm happy with the consideration UNIQLO took when opening in Vancouver. The brand concept and the city compliment each other very well.

Taken mid-afternoon on opening day, Friday. While the lineup dwindled as crowd control eased, the rows of stanchions are remnants of the tremendous morning queue, and demonstrates UNIQLO's immense popularity in Vancouver. Not sure if the line went outside at any point in time, but no surprised if it did.

A quiet moment outside at the lower level, the commotion was all inside. The store is very open, with only load-bearing pillars flanking the sweeping entrances at both levels—hence the stanchions to bottleneck entry and control the crowd.

After walking down the stairs, this is the scene to my left.

With the exception of that little patch of free space on the right, the store was full with customers. While the floor was difficult to navigate at times, and people were bumping into one another, the atmosphere remained civil and everyone focused on shopping.

... in front of me.

... and to my right.

I love the simplicity of the central glass display on the ground floor. Using a big lenticular picture as a backdrop, there appears to be two different  images of False Creek during different times of the day, depending on where one stands; the layered style of each manikin reflecting the often unpredictable autumn transition, and the casual Vancouver vibe.

On the other side of the central glass display, another lenticular backdrop shows both downtown Seymour Street from Georgia, and the beautiful British Columbian landscape; the manikins communicating the utility and versatility of UNIQLO's "Vancouver + Lifewear" campaign. Indeed it is a natural union.

I personally was more stoked about whether or not UNIQLO Metrotown was getting its JW Anderson collaboration. Sure enough, they delivered. The entrance at the top level is dedicated to "Women's and Men's Special" and is where every piece from JW Anderson is on sale—with legit merchandising efforts, too! I'm hoping they do another +J release in the near future.

Floor plans are located throughout to assist with navigating around the just over 20,630 sq. ft. store.

Another point of excitement for me is the Christophe Lemaire-designed UNIQLO U line. Both he and Jonathan Anderson design eponymous mainlines that retail for ten to 20-times the cost of UNIQLO's merchandise. With UNIQLO U, you get a solid representation of Lemaire's design at UNIQLO prices—a good way to acquaint with his mainline.

UNIQLO U Hi-Cut Sneakers

The KAWS × Peanuts collaboration is sold out on the US website, and Canada doesn't even have an e-commerce platform set up; there were a few styles of t-shirts remaining on the racks from what I saw. These minor but quality Hypebeast-worthy collaborations is what makes UNIQLO different from other fast fashion retailers. A lot of it is simple t-shirts and sweatshirts, but the willingness of artists and other brands, like Disney, to partner with UNIQLO says something about its brand equity.

I didn't purchase anything on my visit. It was way too chaotic for me to do any browsing, let alone actual shopping. I spent most of my time looking at the JW Anderson, and trying to find my way around the store through the maze of people. Downstairs at the lower level, I looked through what was left of the UNIQLO U. The fleece "cardigan" sold out fast; not even featured online anymore, stupid trends... Cashier lineup was 50+ people long; likewise on the fitting room line. Opening day is never the best time to go, but it's always fun to see the fanfare and observe the mob.

MUJI Metrotown: Western Canada's First

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MUJI Metrotown just opened and the logo is already messed up. I hope they order some little red rectangles and fix it.

I was giddy with school-boy excitement when MUJI announced its first location in Western Canada would be at Metrotown; the giant crimson wall blocked off a large section of what was probably a few lots that have long since been forgotten. I assumed it would open later in the Fall of 2017 (it's what the JAPAN UNLAYERED MUJI pop-up representatives told me back in February) until my co-worker mentioned August 26. Sure enough, the opening date was advertised throughout the mall by way of ample adhesives on the doors, and large drop banners hung ceremoniously from the ceiling manner.

I didn't go on opening day. It conflicted with HAVEN's warehouse sale in Downtown Vancouver, but I was trading one line up for another (I waited three-and-a-half hours before I reached the front gate... was worth it though. I regret not doing a reportage on my HAVEN warehouse experience... It didn't occur to me until AFTER the cool brands and pieces that were on sale—next time) because while in the HAVEN line, my newsfeed showed photos of the MUJI line-up, and it was insane. I thought the HAVEN line-up was nuts, MUJI's line went out the door at the Kingsway entrance and wrapped the building! I got to Metrotown in the mid-afternoon and MUJI's line up was the same: out the door and wrapped the building. It is now a little over a week since opening day and the line-ups are still there, albeit moving much faster. The first time I lined up I waited approximately 20-25 minutes as they let in groups of about 15-20 at a time. I visited again the following day and the wait was about 15 minutes, and they let in groups of about 30-40. With the exception of the Coach store at the McArthurGlen Outlet out by YVR, I have never seen line-ups that long and lasting throughout the day. I have a feeling they will continue for another week, at least.

The menswear section is located in the back corner, after ladies apparel up front, and children in between. They pack an impressive amount of merchandise into 7700 sq ft. of space. Apparel takes about one-third of the total retail space, with menswear probably taking up about 500 sq ft.

I had no intention of purchasing anything in my first visit, and in my second visit I considered their wool turtlenecks and cardigans but ultimately left empty-handed. I mostly wanted to observe and soak in the experience of just being there, looking thoroughly through all of their offering. Needless to say, the store was packed with customers. Some areas were elbow-to-elbow and difficult to navigate. There easily could have been 100 to 120 customers in the store at any given time. The line up to cash out reached the back of the store.

Knit cardigans, turtlenecks, and pullovers were/are my main point of interest. They are quite pricey—around $70 to $90, but are constructed from 100% wool, wool/silk blend, or a wool/yak hair blend (which looks itchy). The collars on their turtlenecks are made from a cotton/polyester blend that MUJI says prevents the neck from itching.

Maybe not the most exciting thing, but cedar wood hangers are dope. As a softer wood, cedar is known to absorb moisture and deter insects, and while cedar wood hangers may be a novelty for some people, they are essential for others. The price tag certainly reflects its luxury; the big coat/suit hangers go for $30 a pop, while a group of three regular hangers will set you back about $20.

A wall of sneakers near the entrance. Clean, brandless canvas and suede slip-ons, and basic canvas lace-ups. With the exception of the slender shaped style, most of the them are unisex; I believe that's a universal size chart hanging there. The suede slips-ons feel premium, soft and thick, unlike the cheap-o, rough, dry, and thin "suede" you find at some fast fashion retailers.

Tote bags featuring the orca, maples leaf, and inukshuk. There are smaller blank totes customers can purchase and customise at the gift station.

MUJI patrons at the gift station, decorating various notebooks. I saw a young lady a day earlier customising a tote bag with focus and poise, which caught my attention and that's when I saw the stamps...

There are easily 100 stamps covering the entire alphabet, number set, and Canada-centric stamps like the moose, the obvious "CANADA", the maple leaf, beaver, inukshuk, crossed hockey sticks with puck, and my favourite "eh?" My favourite non-Canadian stamp has to be the Buddha.

Close by the gift station is the ever popular stationary. Wouldn't expect anything less form MUJI than a colourful rainbow display of pens.

Extensive, neatly organised kitchenware display. These items were expensive, to say the least. The crystal wine glasses are $25 each; the chrome hot/cold retention water bottle was $35; and their made in Japan iron frying pan, not pictured, ran for a hefty $95 if I recall correctly. I would rather pick up a $30 solid chuck of cast iron.

The tiny made in Japan porcelain soy sauce container with pouring spout on the left went for a cool $18.

Assorted wooden bowls. They are among the pricier items at MUJI.

Skincare. I absolutely love the packaging: multi-coloured containers to signify a different product; matte squeeze tubes and glossy bottles; and clean white labels with no branding, true to the MUJI philosophy. The only thing that irks me is the haphazard way the labels were placed. They were crooked for the most part, and some labels were stuck closer to the bottom of the container and some closer to the top. Maybe this is part of the charm, but have some chaotic consistency! Still, small deterrent to my love of this packaging.

Ultrasonic aroma diffusers with pure essential oils.

Ultrasonic aroma diffuser

With a population of about 35 million thinly spread throughout a vast land mass, Canada is a relatively small market. So it's no surprise we tend to be at the bottom of the list when it comes to multinationals looking to expand. And even when Canada is penetrated the Toronto (already with four MUJI stores) or Montreal regions are priority, being Canada's number one and two largest metropolitan areas inhabited by nearly one third of the country's population. While Greater Vancouver is still less than half the size of Toronto, we are an international city that's still maturing.

In Vancouver, we feel like anything Eastern Canada gets first is a test run. It has been nearly three years since MUJI entered Canada by way of Toronto, and eight years to decide on a proper location for its inaugural Vancouver store. All the while rumours build hype around the brand (ironically) and its eventual west coast arrival, and when Vancouver gets its turn, we get the biggest and best. The Metrotown location is currently the largest in Canada, but only until the now reported 16,000 sq ft. flagship Robson location opens in Q4 of 2017, which will be one of the largest in the world. Vancouver certainly gets pampered.

MUJI's presence at Metrotown strengthens its retail portfolio. Before MUJI I had no reason to wander into that part of the mall. Another welcome Japanese brand I look forward to, also making its Western Canada debut this year, is... UNIQLO! Not unlike MUJI, UNIQLO has been poised to open a store in Vancouver for years, and also not unlike MUJI, it was about finding the ideal location, which happens to be in Metrotown. The two-level store will be strategically situated right across from H&M and Forever21. With UNIQLO finally landing, Metrotown's retail portfolio will improve yet again. Don't count on a Downtown Vancouver location being far behind.