Posted on October 21, 2012

UNIQLO Creates $10 Million Fund to Support Children

UNIQLO, the Tokyo-based retailer, has announced the launch of the Clothes for Smiles initiative to provide children around the world with tools to help them succeed.

Launched in partnership with UNIQLO brand ambassador and tennis champion Novak Djokovic, the company will establish a $10 million fund with proceeds from sales of HEATTECH and Ultra Light Down items during the fall and winter seasons that supports two programs. The first will accept ideas aimed at giving children a better tomorrow via a dedicated Web site through December 31, while the second will support programs to improve children's education through a global alliance agreement between UNICEF and UNIQLO's parent company Fast Retailing. The effort initially will be focused on providing support to organizations in Bangladesh, China, the Philippines, and Serbia, with more countries to follow. Each of the two programs will receive $5 million from the fund.

"I am very pleased to launch today 'Clothes for Smiles', the first fund to be established by UNIQLO, in partnership with Novak Djokovic," said Tadashi Yanai, chairman, president, and CEO of Fast Retailing. "This is an innovative CSR initiative in terms of its scale, type of support provided, and its style of accepting ideas for the fund worldwide. 'Clothes for Smiles' will serve as one of UNIQLO's major CSR activities alongside ongoing initiatives such as the All-Product Recycling Program and the social business."