Fast Retailing

Japanese multinational retail holding company and one of the world's largest apparel retailers headquartered in Yamaguchi.

Company Type

public

Founded

1949

Headquarters

Yamaguchi, Japan

Stock

Tokyo Stock Exchange: 9983

About Fast Retailing

Fast Retailing operates through eight distinct fashion brands: Uniqlo, GU, Theory, PLST, Comptoir des Cotonniers, Princesse Tam-Tam, J Brand, and Helmut Lang. Each brand targets different market segments and customer demographics while maintaining Fast Retailing's core retail model. The company employs approximately 170,000 people globally and generates annual revenues exceeding ¥3 trillion.

Fast Retailing's business model emphasizes vertical integration, controlling design, manufacturing, and distribution. The company operates manufacturing facilities in Japan, China, Vietnam, Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, and Cambodia. This integration enables efficient product development and market response. The company's corporate structure maintains brand-level autonomy while leveraging group resources for supply chain, technology, and distribution.

Fast Retailing invests significantly in digital channels, sustainability initiatives, and customer experience. The company's supply chain emphasizes efficiency, quality control, and ethical manufacturing practices. Uniqlo generates approximately 90% of Fast Retailing's profits, making it the dominant brand in the portfolio.

History of Fast Retailing

Fast Retailing was founded in 1949 as Men's Shop Ogori Shoji in Yamaguchi, Japan, by Tadashi Yanai's father. The company began as a small men's clothing retailer. Tadashi Yanai took over the company and renamed it Fast Retailing in 1991, establishing a vision to become a global fashion retailer. The first Uniqlo store opened in 1984 in Hiroshima, initially as a casual wear division.

Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, Fast Retailing expanded Uniqlo aggressively across Japan and internationally. The company went public on the Tokyo Stock Exchange in 1994. Uniqlo's success with basic, high-quality casual wear at affordable prices established Fast Retailing as a major player in global retail. The company expanded its brand portfolio through strategic acquisitions and launches: GU was launched in 2006, Theory was acquired in 2010, PLST was launched in 2019, and other brands including Comptoir des Cotonniers, Princesse Tam-Tam, J Brand, and Helmut Lang were acquired to diversify offerings.

By the 2020s, Fast Retailing had established itself as one of the world's largest apparel retailers with over 3,500 stores in 80+ markets. The company surpassed ¥3 trillion in annual sales for the first time in 2024. Fast Retailing has focused on digital transformation, sustainability initiatives, and omnichannel retail strategies while maintaining Uniqlo as its primary profit driver.

Brands Owned by Fast Retailing

View all 7 brands

Fast Retailing owns 7 brands in our database. Showing featured brands below.

Comptoir des Cotonniers

Owned by Fast Retailing

French casualwear brand emphasizing quality fabrics, refined design, and timeless femininity, owned by Fast Retailing.

frenchcasualquality

GU

Owned by Fast Retailing

Japanese casual fashion brand offering trendy, affordable clothing for young consumers, owned by Fast Retailing Co., Ltd.

casual-fashionaffordable-fashionjapanese-brand

Helmut Lang

Owned by Fast Retailing

Austrian designer fashion brand known for avant-garde design and innovative approach to contemporary fashion, owned by Fast Retailing.

designeravant-gardeaustrian

J Brand

Owned by Fast Retailing

Premium denim and casual wear brand known for innovative denim design and contemporary fashion, owned by Fast Retailing.

denimpremiumamerican

PLST

Owned by Fast Retailing

Japanese casual fashion brand owned by Fast Retailing, offering comfortable, versatile clothing for working adults who want quality everyday wear at accessible prices.

casual-fashionjapanese-brandcomfortable-clothing

Princesse Tam-Tam

Owned by Fast Retailing

French lingerie brand emphasizing comfort, quality, and femininity with focus on high-quality fabrics, owned by Fast Retailing.

lingeriefrenchcomfort

View all 7 brands owned by Fast Retailing

Shop Fast Retailing Brands

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Comptoir des Cotonniers on Amazon

GU on Amazon

Helmut Lang on Amazon

Stock Information

Frequently Asked Questions About Fast Retailing

Is Fast Retailing publicly traded?

Yes, Fast Retailing (TYO: 9983) is publicly traded on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, with shares available to investors worldwide.

Who owns Fast Retailing?

Fast Retailing is primarily controlled through substantial shareholding by Tadashi Yanai and family entities. The company is also held by institutional investors and public shareholders.

When was Fast Retailing founded?

Fast Retailing was founded in 1949 as Men's Shop Ogori Shoji and renamed Fast Retailing in 1991.

How many brands does Fast Retailing own?

Fast Retailing owns eight fashion brands: Uniqlo, GU, Theory, PLST, Comptoir des Cotonniers, Princesse Tam-Tam, J Brand, and Helmut Lang.

What is Fast Retailing's annual revenue?

Fast Retailing generates annual revenues exceeding ¥3 trillion, making it one of the world's largest apparel retailers by revenue.

About Fast Retailing

History of Fast Retailing