According to Kantar research, customers once prioritized functionality, paying a fair price for a reliable product. As life becomes busier, and technology and convenience gain importance, they are willing to pay a premium.

Now, value extends beyond quality and convenience to encompass a brand's representative values. Consumers choose products not just for themselves, but for their connection to values they hold dear, particularly those benefiting society and the planet.

Specifically, 84% of respondents said they note or sometimes consider a brand's supported causes when making purchasing decisions. 64% believe businesses are responsible for addressing climate and environmental issues. This data suggests that sustainability is not solely a concern for policymakers or scientists, but also resonates with consumers.

For years, Uniqlo has demonstrated its mission and commitment to sustainable development, bringing value to consumers and society with every garment.

Commitment to sustainability

After 4 decades, Uniqlo, founded by Tadashi Yanai, follows the LifeWear philosophy. This means not only improving lives through simple, high-quality, and well-designed everyday clothing, but also integrating sustainability from environmental and social perspectives.

Transforming its supply chain towards sustainable growth, Fast Retailing, Uniqlo's parent company, has for years focused on product improvements, increasing the use of recycled materials, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, ensuring worker rights, and supporting communities.

In 2024, the percentage of low greenhouse gas emission materials, especially recycled materials, reached 18.2%. For polyester products, the use of recycled polyester reached 47.4%, approaching the 50% target for 2030.

The corporation aims to reduce GHG emissions by 20% across the entire production cycle – from raw materials and textiles to garment manufacturing for Uniqlo and GU – compared to the 2019 financial year. This goal is nearing completion, with a reduction of 18.6% achieved last year.

Developing talent, respecting equality, and diversity

Speaking with VnExpress, a Fast Retailing-Uniqlo representative emphasized a commitment to transparency and prioritizing people and community over superficial pledges.

Since 2022, the company has collaborated with the Disability Research and Capacity Development Center (DRD) to recruit employees in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi. Simultaneously, they nurture talent through the Fast Retailing Foundation Scholarship, the Uniqlo Management Candidate (UMC) program, the Educational Sponsorship Program (ESP), and the Global Leadership Program (GLP).

Uniqlo creates job opportunities for people with disabilities. Photo: Uniqlo

Uniqlo creates job opportunities for people with disabilities. Photo: Uniqlo

Promoting community activities

Uniqlo actively promotes social activities, conveying the message that each garment represents not just fashion, but also sharing. This journey begins with small acts like donating warm clothing, building new schools in disadvantaged areas, and contributing to world peace.

Beyond immediate needs, Uniqlo prioritizes children and strives to improve the educational environment. The brand partners with the Hope Foundation on the School Building Project. Specifically, they allocate revenue from the Utme! and UT Mickey Mouse in Vietnam collections to build schools in underprivileged areas. To date, Uniqlo has contributed to the construction of three schools and one bathroom in the northern mountainous region.

The Uniqlo team and the Hope Foundation pose for a photo with teachers and students at Huoi Khoang school, Song Ma, Son La. Photo: Uniqlo

The Uniqlo team and the Hope Foundation pose for a photo with teachers and students at Huoi Khoang school, Song Ma, Son La. Photo: Uniqlo

In winter 2024, Uniqlo partnered with Toray Industries, their strategic partner and Heattech manufacturer, and several international organizations to launch The Heart of LifeWear initiative in 26 countries and territories. This initiative, part of the brand's 40th-anniversary celebration, stemmed from the question, "What makes life better?".

Of the one million donated Heattech products, over 532,000 were sent to refugees and displaced persons through the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). Uniqlo also plans to support communities in the southern hemisphere and hard-to-reach areas in the Middle East with Heattech, and donate AIRism products (depending on local climates).

The brand also commits to supporting global peace efforts through the Peace for All project, featuring uniquely designed UT T-shirts. 45 celebrities volunteered to design shirts, with all profits donated to three partner organizations: UNHCR, Save the Children, and Plan International. By the end of April, over 7.1 million shirts were sold, raising 2.1 billion yen.

Protecting the environment and reducing waste

Re.Uniqlo is one of the brand's prominent projects, giving pre-owned clothing a new life and encouraging customers to donate unwanted items to those in need. Since its launch in 2021, the company has collaborated with the Hope Foundation and other organizations to donate over 46,000 items to children and those in need nationwide.

To manage paper and plastic waste at its business locations, Uniqlo Vietnam partners with Junk&Co to collect and recycle 100% of waste from these two materials.

In its sustainable development activities in Vietnam, the Japanese company also focuses on improving essential living conditions for the community. In 2023, the company installed drinking water filtration systems in 10 preschools and primary schools in Chau Thanh district (Ben Tre), serving 3,000 students and teachers.

Last year, the project reached an additional 11 schools in Can Gio, meeting the clean water needs of 3,500 children. This year, the company completed a rainwater harvesting and treatment system for 10 impoverished households in Long Hoa commune (Tra Vinh), improving living conditions for nearly 80 local residents and neighboring households.

"Through these concrete actions, after 6 years in Vietnam, we continue to fulfill our commitment to sustainable development," added the Uniqlo representative.

Thien Ha