Global clothing giant Uniqlo could be nearing its long-awaited entry into New Zealand, after a marketing campaign that sent ambassadors of the brand to Queenstown sparked speculation.

The Japanese-founded retailer sent a team of influencers, including Sopha Dopha, Riley Tomoana, and Jasmine Hand, to Queenstown’s mountains to display its ‘Life Wear’ insulated clothing and how it fares in extreme cold. 

One Kiwi influencer, Liv Martin, posted a video on TikTok about the trip, expressing her desire for Uniqlo to have a presence in New Zealand. 

“The problem that I have is that we can’t even access this brand, and this brand is Uniqlo,” she said. “Every Kiwi knows Uniqlo, loves Uniqlo, if we’re going to Australia, one of the first shops we’re going to is Uniqlo.”

Uniqlo Australia saw this video and sent Martin a package that included some of the Life Wear clothes. “Hi Liv, we heard your feedback, and we’re working on bringing Uniqlo to Aotearoa New Zealand,” a message attached to the package read.

The brand then continued to stir up speculation on its own social media channels. In replies to users asking about whether it was planning an entry into New Zealand, Uniqlo commented: “hypothetically, where should we go?”

It was only 2014 when Uniqlo first opened a store in Australia, a country where it now boasts 40 locations and is expanding rapidly. The most recent opening to be announced in Australia is Sunshine Coast, where a store is set to be ready in Spring. Globally, Uniqlo operates more than 2500 stores in 25 countries.