S. Korean retailer takes on Japan's Uniqlo with new Seoul outlet

SEOUL, Nov. 25 (Yonhap) -- South Korean clothing manufacturer and retailer Eland
Group went head-to-head with foreign competitors Wednesday with its launch of a
new casual wear chain in downtown Seoul.
The Eland store marks the company's bid to meet the competition posed by popular
global clothing brands such as Spain's Zara and Japan's Uniqlo, who are gaining
traction in the local market, company officials said.
The retailer opened a Spa-brand casual wear shop on Myeongdong street, one of
Seoul's bustling shopping areas, right next to the Uniqlo-brand shop run by
Japan's Fast Retailing Co.
Earlier in the day, the clothing manufacturer's subsidiary Eland World signed a
memorandum of understanding with SM Entertainment, the country's No. 1 talent
agency, to launch a joint venture next month on the promotion of the new brand.
The joint venture, AREL, is tasked with maximizing promotional effects through
utilizing prominent entertainers signed with the agency.
Eland, which launched its second Spa store also in Seoul the same day, plans to
open more shops including one at a department store in downtown Seoul on Dec. 18.
jia@yna.co.kr
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