Uniqlo Faces Chinese Boycott Calls Over Xinjiang Cotton Comments

Fast Retailing CEO's statement on not sourcing Xinjiang cotton draws backlash on Chinese social media, threatening the brand's largest overseas market.

Fast Retailing CEO Tadashi Yanai confirmed in a BBC interview that Uniqlo does not use cotton from Xinjiang, citing political sensitivities around the topic.
The comments have triggered widespread criticism on China's Weibo platform, with hashtags supporting Xinjiang cotton and calls for a boycott of Uniqlo trending online.
China, including Hong Kong and Taiwan, accounts for over 20% of Fast Retailing's revenue, making it the company's largest market outside Japan.
The controversy highlights ongoing tensions for global brands navigating allegations of forced labor in Xinjiang and their reliance on Chinese consumers.
Similar backlash previously hit brands like H&M and Nike, with boycotts and removal of products from Chinese e-commerce platforms following their stances on Xinjiang cotton.

WWD

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