Uniqlo Returns to Downtown San Francisco
The Japanese apparel brand reopened on Market Street as downtown retail and office space show signs of recovery.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Remote Work
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Uniqlo returned to downtown San Francisco on October 9, 2026, after closing its Powell Street store near Union Square in 2021. The reopening comes as office demand and retail activity in the city's core begin to rebound.
Why it matters
Uniqlo's return signals renewed retail confidence in a district that lost foot traffic during the pandemic and the spread of remote work. It follows a broader pattern of brands such as Nintendo, Pop Mart and Bape opening stores in Union Square.
San Francisco office vacancy fell from a 32% peak in the second quarter of 2023 to 29.3% in the third quarter of 2026, while office leasing from January to September 2026 exceeded 9 million square feet. Union Square retail vacancy stood at 19.9% and visits rose 8.1% year over year to 3.8 million.
The players
Uniqlo
A Japanese apparel brand known for affordable basics and global retail expansion.
Nordstrom Rack
The off-price discount division of the Nordstrom department store chain, which withdrew from downtown San Francisco in 2023.
The details
Uniqlo opened a store on Market Street that showcased T-shirts and tote bags made in collaboration with Muni. The reopening comes as Union Square visits and retail leasing improve, with first-floor prime rents rising 20% versus last year.
Timeline
2019: San Francisco was bustling with tech workers and tourists before the pandemic.
2021: Uniqlo closed its Powell Street store near Union Square.
Second quarter of 2023: Office vacancy peaked at 32%.
October 9, 2026: Uniqlo returned to downtown San Francisco.
Fall 2027: Nordstrom Rack plans to open a 51,500-square-foot store on Stockton Street.
Market Landscape
Uniqlo's return to Union Square follows its 2021 closure of the Powell Street store as pandemic-era declines in foot traffic and remote work weakened downtown retail. The reopening sits alongside new openings from Nintendo, Pop Mart and Bape, which together suggest a competitive push for prime downtown retail space.
Shoppers in downtown San Francisco gain a nearby option for apparel basics as Uniqlo returns to Market Street. Those planning trips to Union Square can expect more retail choices as new brands open and visit numbers rise.
The takeaway
Downtown San Francisco's retail recovery depends on whether the office and tourism gains seen in 2026 hold. Readers planning visits to Union Square can check store openings ahead of time as the district continues to change.
What happens next
Nordstrom Rack is scheduled to open its 51,500-square-foot Stockton Street store in fall 2027.
Further reading
For more on how remote work has reshaped downtown demand, explore Remote Work coverage for San Francisco.
Source note: This article includes information reported by 조선일보.
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