UNIQLO, the global apparel retailer, has launched a new global initiative to support people in need through the donation of one million HEATTECH clothing items worldwide.
“The Heart of LifeWear” initiative will see the giant retailer donate 30,000 HEATTECH units in Canada to provide warmth to individuals experiencing homelessness, asylum seekers, refugees, and others in need.
Jean Shein, Global Director of Sustainability at UNIQLO, said: “At UNIQLO, we believe in the power of clothing to make a positive impact on people’s lives. Through ‘The Heart of LifeWear’ initiative, we are committed to supporting communities across Canada by providing warmth and comfort to those who need it most during this holiday season.”
In the spirit of giving, customers are invited to contribute to this campaign by donating at checkout in all UNIQLO stores in Canada to support homeless youth through Covenant House. They can also donate their gently used UNIQLO clothing through the RE.UNIQLO program, which repurposes these items to further aid communities, said the company.
Partnering Organizations in Canada:
Since 1972, Covenant House has offered housing and support to youth overcoming homelessness, human trafficking, and exploitation. With a wide range of services, Covenant House remains Canada’s largest agency supporting young people during the colder months and throughout the year. By providing HEATTECH products, UNIQLO aims to meet the basic needs of Covenant House youth, empowering them with warmth and dignity this winter.
New Circles Community Services is a not-for-profit, grass-roots agency that builds strong and caring communities by providing clothing and skills training programs to equity-deserving individuals with limited income. With the colder temperatures, Ontario has an extremely high demand for warm clothing. HEATTECH will allow the New Circles community to stay warm and comfortable during the winter months.
Edmonton Emergency Response and Newcomers Services
Edmonton Emergency Response and Newcomers Services (EERNS) is a nonprofit charitable organization that helps fire victims, disaster victims, family violence victims, newcomers, and refugees by providing essential needs, such as household necessities, clothing, furniture, and personal hygiene items. To better prepare newcomers for harsh Alberta winters, HEATTECH will serve as the base layer needed to stay warm and comfortable when temperatures dip.
With a commitment to cultural safety and harm reduction, The Open Door Montreal is a low-barrier emergency shelter that operates 365 days a year, 24 hours a day. It offers a variety of programs and services for individuals experiencing homelessness, with priority given to unhoused Indigenous communities of Milton Parc. The Open Door largely relies on community clothing donations; having HEATTECH products will ensure participants have adequate protection from frigid temperatures.
UNIQLO Background
UNIQLO is a brand of Fast Retailing Co., Ltd., a leading Japanese retail holding company with global headquarters in Tokyo, Japan. UNIQLO is the largest of eight brands in the Fast Retailing Group, the others being GU, Theory, PLST (Plus T), Comptoir des Cotonniers, Princesse tam.tam, J Brand and Helmut Lang. With global sales of approximately 2.77 trillion yen for the 2023 fiscal year ending August 31, 2023 (US $18.92 billion, calculated in yen using the end of August 2023 rate of $1 = 146.2 yen), Fast Retailing is one of the world’s largest apparel retail companies, and UNIQLO is Japan’s leading specialty retailer.
UNIQLO continues to open large-scale stores in some of the world’s most important cities and locations, as part of its ongoing efforts to solidify its status as a global brand. Today the company has a total of more than 2,400 UNIQLO stores across the world, including Japan, Asia, Europe and North America. The total number of stores across Fast Retailing’s brands is now close to 3,600.
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