UNIQLO Philippines will reopen its SM City General Santos store on October 15, combining its return to regular retail operations with continued disaster recovery and education initiatives following the June 2026 earthquake.
The reopening marks renewed business activity in the city after months of recovery efforts. During the interim, the Japanese apparel retailer operated a temporary pop-up store to maintain customer access to essential clothing while the community worked to restore normal activities.
UNIQLO’s parent company, Fast Retailing, donated JPY30 million, equivalent to approximately P11.3 million, to SM Foundation and ABS-CBN Foundation for relief operations. Separately, UNIQLO Philippines mobilized P1 million in emergency cash assistance, AIRism apparel and RE.UNIQLO clothing donations, reaching more than 7,000 people affected by the disaster.
“The reopening of our General Santos store represents more than the return of a retail space. It reflects the resilience of the local community and our continued commitment to stand alongside our customers as they rebuild and move forward,” said UNIQLO Philippines Chief Operating Officer Geraldine Sia.
The reopening also coincides with the completion of the retailer’s first classroom under its Supporting Brighter Futures Through Education initiative, implemented in partnership with HOPE Foundation.
Located at Bagong Silang High School in Barangay San Jose, the new classroom will serve a growing student population drawn primarily from the B’laan and Tboli Indigenous communities. Founded in 2017 with 66 learners, the school now accommodates 164 students from Grades 7 to 12, underscoring the need for more permanent learning facilities.
UNIQLO will also distribute 200 AIRism shirts to students and teachers as part of its community engagement efforts.
To mark the reopening, the retailer will offer promotional discounts from October 15 to 21, alongside customer giveaways and special treats.
The combined initiatives illustrate how retail operations can intersect with community recovery, extending a store reopening beyond commercial activity. While relief donations address immediate needs, investments in school infrastructure support longer-term priorities, particularly access to education for underserved communities.
For General Santos, the reopening signals a return of retail services while highlighting continuing efforts to rebuild community resilience after the earthquake.
