FLOWER BOX, where you can buy flowers at UNIQLO The Maebashi Minami Interchange store, as a new type of roadside store, also features a variety of measures that have been previously introduced at other stores in Japan and overseas. In the area named “Flower Box” on the right side of the main entrance, approximately 30 types of flowers are always available. This initiative, which was launched in the wake of the Corona disaster at stores in Tokyo, has been well received by customers, and is one of the store’s main services. The price is 390 yen per bunch, and 3 bunches for 990 yen.
UNIQLO COFFEE BOX, where customers can enjoy coffee and local additive-free cookies, is located near the FLOWER BOX. This is the third service following UNIQLO Ginza and UNIQLO TOKYO, and allows customers to relax while enjoying coffee in a spacious area with large tables and chairs. In addition to coffee, the store also offers locally made additive-free cookies by Ampontan, which are also highly recommended.
UNIQLO KIDS BOX, where you can learn about recycling while playing with your children One of the store’s features is the “UNIQLO KIDS BOX,” a space for children, as the store expects many families to visit. The space is equipped with a slide, cushions, picture books, and other items to keep children occupied. On the wall across from the space, a green Doraemon, which supports the company’s commitment to sustainability, introduces UNIQLO’s environmentally friendly initiatives, and the company hopes to raise awareness of its activities. The cushions are made from recycled scraps and other materials, and the store also introduces the fact that the insulation used in the store is made from recycled materials.
UNIQLO STUDIO, which offers repair and remake services, will be introduced at the Maebashi Minami Interchange store. This is the first permanent store in Japan to offer this service, which has been used in London and other overseas stores to repair and remake clothes. The store will also carry “SASHIKO by UNIQLO,” which incorporates the idea of “sashiko,” a traditional Japanese embroidery technique that repairs and reinforces clothing by embroidering geometric patterns on it, allowing customers to create an original piece of clothing. The store also serves as a window for “UTme!” where customers can design their own original T-shirts.
Maebashi Minami Interchange Store, a store with close ties to the local community. The spacious store, about 750 square meters, has a large number of products, and in addition to the usual lineup, it sells T-shirts printed with Gunma-chan, the local character of Gunma Prefecture, and Yoshida Daruma, a local specialty, as well as hot spring resorts of Gunma Prefecture on the wall where the fitting rooms are located. The store manager, Mr. Nabetani, also explained that the store is closely connected to the local community, introducing hot spring resorts in Gunma Prefecture. He also noted that the store’s unique policy of displaying panels that introduce the comfort of the products by asking locals about their use is also unique to the store.
UNIQLO’s Next-Generation Store Model Type Considering Sustainability The Maebashi Minami Interchange Store features a variety of energy-saving technologies and efforts to reduce power consumption with the cooperation of Takenaka Corporation, just like a state-of-the-art store. Mr. Masahiro Endo, group executive officer, introduced nine innovations. Four large skylights and a glass facade help provide more natural lighting and cut some of the energy used for lighting. The eaves on the outside of the store take into account the amount of sunlight that comes in during summer and winter, reducing the energy used for lighting and air conditioning inside the store. Air curtains at the entrances and exits adjust the balance between the air pressure inside the store and the outside air, effectively reducing the inflow of outside air and the outflow of temperature-controlled indoor air when the doors are opened. Brightness sensors on the ceiling control light to a moderate illuminance level, and motion sensors in the stockroom and backroom automate lighting on/off. CO2 and temperature sensors and total heat exchangers are installed to automatically exchange outside air and adjust the temperature inside the store. Insulation is made from approximately 30% recycled material made from finely cut clothing. Solar panels have been installed on the rooftop, which can generate about 33% of the store’s annual electricity consumption. As a result, the store received the highest rating of 5 stars from the Building-Housing Energy-efficiency Labeling System (BELS), with a Building Energy Index (BEI) value of 0.33 (the store’s design primary energy consumption can be reduced by 67%). (67% reduction of the store’s design primary energy consumption is possible). The building has also received ZEB Ready certification as a building that meets at least a 50% reduction in primary energy consumption from the standard primary energy consumption, excluding renewable energy. Behind this is the sustainability goal the company has set: to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in its own stores and offices by 90% from 2019 levels by 2030, in order to achieve zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Mr. Endo said, “We are trying to reduce power consumption by about 40% in these roadside stores, and by about 20% in stores that are in malls. We are launching this store as a prototype for roadside type stores to achieve these goals.
© Source travel watch
Auto Amazon Links: No products found.
Auto Amazon Links: No products found.