UNITED ARROWS | Osamu Shigematsu on the Mission of United Arrows

UNITED ARROWS

UNITED ARROWS 25th Anniversary Special Interview (3)

Osamu Shigematsu on the Mission of UNITED ARROWS

In 2014, UNITED ARROWS has seen a flurry of new brand and label launches, including the debut of "EN ROUTE," a new lifestyle brand centered on fashion and sports, this autumn. We spoke with Osamu Shigematsu, Honorary Chairman of UNITED ARROWS, about the present and future of select shops.

Photographs by SUZUKI SimpeiText by KAJII Makoto (OPENERS)

What is a Select Shop That Shares a Sense of the Times?

When asked if the influence of select shops has weakened compared to the 1990s when UNITED ARROWS began, he replied, "Precisely. Today, things have become so diversified that even designers struggle to understand what's new. The reality is a lack of differentiation, leading to diminished influence."

"We used to be half a step ahead of the times, constantly moving forward. Now, we're running alongside our customers, which is why UNITED ARROWS feels a sense of urgency. The widespread adoption of the internet has drastically changed the information landscape, which is a major contributing factor," says Mr. Shigematsu.

UNITED ARROWS has also achieved significant success in its e-commerce business. Regarding the key to this success, he stated, "The important thing is to consistently offer sales channels and products faster than anyone else."

The shift of select shops from being destinations for "fashion enthusiasts" to becoming lifestyle shops is "a trend of the times and the evolution of product curation. People today might not be able to choose from clothes alone if they lack a sense of everyday life. By displaying items with the same image and values alongside clothing, we can share a sense of the times and create a sense of affinity as a style. Therefore, lifestyle shops align with current needs."

This Season, UNITED ARROWS Embraces Challenge

UNITED ARROWS is expanding its market overseas, opening "UNITED ARROWS Taipei Store" in Taipei, Taiwan, in October last year, and a directly managed store of "Beauty & Youth UNITED ARROWS" in Songshan District, Taipei, in May this year.

"We have been researching Asia, including Taiwan, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Beijing, Singapore, and South Korea, for the past decade, and as a result, we have entered Taipei. China feels like a race to be the first, but Taiwan is not seen as a separate country; it holds potential, and we want to grasp it as a market and foster its growth. The current management has formulated a long-term vision for 2022, and the company's foundation has been strengthened at the right time, so we feel there is another opportunity for expansion."

To Part 4: "Mr. Shigematsu's Future Dreams and Hopes"

UNITED ARROWS
http://www.united-arrows.co.jp/

UNITED ARROWS 25th Anniversary Special Site
http://www.25th.united-arrows.co.jp/