Uniqlo to open first Cambridge store with university collaboration

Uniqlo will open the doors to its first Cambridge store on Thursday 24 September, adding a 9,472 sq ft location to its UK portfolio.

The Grand Arcade store occupies the former Ted Baker unit on St Andrew’s Street in the university town and spans two floors, carrying the retailer’s LifeWear ranges across womenswear and menswear.

Customers will also find the Autumn/Winter 2026 collection, including Heattech, Soufflé Yarn knitwear, Puffertech outerwear with insulation, down jackets without seams and cashmere. 

Cambridge partnerships shape the store

To mark the opening Uniqlo has partnered with the University of Cambridge on store-exclusive UTme! T-shirts featuring university-inspired designs, as well as embroidered round mini shoulder bags. The university collection, which draws on Cambridge’s academic and sporting heritage, will remain exclusive to the store until 31 December 2026.

A large-scale mural by Cambridge-based illustrator Lele Saa has been installed across the store’s staircase. Designed as a contemporary map of the city, it incorporates local landmarks, riverside scenery and moments from daily life.

Alessandro Dudech, Chief Operating Officer of Uniqlo UK, said: “Bricks-and-mortar retail remains an important part of our strategy, allowing us to connect directly with customers and communities, and we are committed to continuing our expansion across the UK.

“We are delighted to partner with local organisations for this new store, including the University of Cambridge and Lele Saa.”

Opening-day activity includes a goody bag for the first 300 customers spending more than £69.90. Uniqlo app customers who scan the app with a purchase during the opening weekend can also enter a draw for a trip to Tokyo.

Further UK openings planned

The Cambridge opening follows the retailer’s arrival at Bristol’s Cabot Circus in April, the second store it its first store in the South West and the refurbishment of its Covent Garden location. 

Uniqlo is also scheduled to open a 24,000 sq ft store at Manchester’s Trafford Centre on 15 October. It will be the brand’s second Manchester location alongside Market Street, making it the first UK city outside London with two stores.

Further openings are planned for Canary Wharf and Leeds, with the latter expected in 2027. 

In July, Fast Retailing, the Japanese retail group behind Uniqlo, raised its full-year operating profit forecast to ¥730 billion (£3.37 billion) after third-quarter earnings surged 45.7% year-on-year to ¥213.79 billion (£1.3 billion) for the three months to 31 May 2026.

The result came in ahead of analyst expectations, leaving Fast Retailing set for a fifth straight year of record earnings. For the nine months to May, group revenue rose 17.1% to ¥3.0651 trillion and operating profit climbed 36.2% to ¥614.3 billion.

Uniqlo International, which includes the UK market, led growth during the quarter, as revenue reached ¥592.6 billion after rising 33.8%, while operating profit rose 63.4% to ¥117.8 billion.