UNIQLO’s sustainability strategy behind the brand's global growth

UNIQLO’s sustainability strategy behind the brand's global growth

UNIQLO and parent company Fast Retailing are driving supply chain sustainability through key initiatives like enhancing product quality, scaling recycled materials, safeguarding labour rights, and strengthening community impact.

Japanese brand UNIQLO has been collaborating with educational and environmental organisations through various practical initiatives in recent years.

For the 'Blue Ocean - Blue Future' campaign launched by the Vietnam Institute of Educational Sciences in collaboration with the UNESCO Office in Vietnam from June 6 – 20, UNIQLO participated in activities to raise public awareness about the protection and preservation of oceans and marine life.

The scheme was implemented in the Cham Islands Biosphere Reserve in Hoi An (Quang Nam province) and the Can Gio Mangrove Forest (Ho Chi Minh City), including the development of educational materials on marine conservation, training sessions for teachers and local officials, as well as experiential learning activities for students.

In addition to global initiatives, UNIQLO Vietnam has been implementing various community initiatives, especially in environment and livelihood support in disadvantaged localities. With the goal of reducing waste, all paper and nylon waste from UNIQLO’s stores and headquarters in Vietnam is collected and recycled 100 per cent through the specialised partner, Junk&Co.

Since 2023, UNIQLO and Fast Retailing Vietnam have collaborated with local non-governmental organisations to implement water filtration systems for areas heavily affected by climate change in the Mekong Delta region.

The project has brought clean water to 10 schools in Ben Tre province, expanded to 11 schools in Can Gio in 2024, and will continue to implement rainwater treatment systems for 10 poor households in Tra Vinh province in 2025, helping nearly 80 people access safe water for daily use.

Furthermore, the RE.UNIQLO scheme has made its mark in Vietnam since 2021. In cooperation with the Hope Foundation and many social partners, it has collected and donated over 46,000 pre-owned products to people in difficult circumstances in various locations such as flood-affected areas in Central Vietnam, highland regions in Dien Bien, Son La, Ha Giang, Can Gio district, and Tra Vinh province.

From international initiatives to specific actions at localities, UNIQLO is gradually demonstrating its pioneering role as a global retailer in creating social value and sustainable development, with people at the heart of every strategy.

The commitment to building a diverse, inclusive, and sustainable workplace is an integral part of UNIQLO’s long-term strategy in Vietnam. Many initiatives have been implemented to encourage equality in recruitment and create development opportunities for all individuals.

Since 2022, UNIQLO has been collaborating with the Disability Research and Capacity Development Centre to implement a scheme for recruiting people with disabilities (PwD).

As of 2025, the initiative has created employment for 10 PwDs at UNIQLO stores in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi. Currently, employees with disabilities account for about 1 per cent of the total number of employees, a small but meaningful figure in the journey towards building an inclusive work environment.

In line with the brand's focus on long-term talent development, prominent initiatives such as UNIQLO Manager Candidate, Global Management Programme, and the scholarship of the Fast Retailing Foundation for Vietnamese students provide opportunities to study at leading universities in Japan. These initiatives enhance the capabilities of current personnel and cultivate high-quality workers for the domestic retail industry.

As part of the global initiative 'The Heart of LifeWear', UNIQLO Vietnam has donated 10,000 'heattech' products to 4,885 people in disadvantaged areas such as Son La, Yen Bai, and northern mountainous provinces during the autumn and winter of 2024. The company has stated that it will continue to implement this initiative in Vietnam for this coming winter.

Additionally, profits from the 'Peace For All' t-shirt collection, implemented in Vietnam through a partnership with Plan International, have helped support eight villages in Ha Giang province, focusing on reducing child marriage among girls, improving school hygiene conditions, and empowering children.

The campaign began in 2023 and will run until February 2026, playing an active role in promoting gender equality and improving the quality of life in the highlands.

VIR