UNIQLO is coming to the Philippines

Don't you just love how Manila is fast-becoming a world-class shopping mecca? All the best brands are finally arriving in our shoes, and the latest to join the growing list is Japanese casual fashion brand UNIQLO. It's definitely something Pinoys will love because we're very much into laidback basics.

SM, who recently brought Forever21 to Manila, will also carry UNIQLO. It's slated to open come early 2012 so that's something to look forward to next year! The good news is that judging by the pricing of F2, it's reasonable to speculate that UNIQLO pieces will still remain affordable.

MANILA, Philippines—The country’s largest retail and mall chain, ShoeMart, is bringing Japanese casual clothing brand UNIQLO to the Philippines.

In a statement, SM Retail said it had forged an agreement with Japan’s Fast Retailing Corp., through subsidiary Market Watch Investment Corp., to put up a new joint venture company that would put up the first UNIQLO store in Manila by early 2012.

Fast Retailing had been exploring the possibility of entering the Philippine market, through UNIQLO, for some time.

“The joint venture is expected to create excitement in the dynamic local retail market as it will bring to Manila a global brand known for its high-quality fashionable basic casual clothes for both sexes that can be worn in any occasion,” SM Retail said in a statement.

For more information, read the full Inquirer article on the UNIQLO and SM partnership.

The million-dollar question is: when will H&M get here?