Fast Retailing is the world's third-largest apparel retailer behind Inditex (owner of the ZARA brand) and H&M. Since 1963, the company has been working to fill the gap in Japan's casual wear market. Through its UNIQLO brand (a combination of the words unique and clothing), the company operates more than 2,000 stores in Japan and in foreign markets, including Greater China, Southeast Asia and Oceania, Europe, and the US and Canada. Fast Retailing, along with its subsidiaries, markets functional basics for men, women, and children under the LifeWear concept of everyday comfort. The company's GU and Global Brands retail divisions also operate almost 1,400 other stores selling products under the GU, Theory, Comptoir des Cotonniers, J Brand, and Princesse tam.tam brand names.

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