We met with Uniqlo Chief Operating Officer, Yashuhiro Hayashi, for a sneak preview inside Canada's first Uniqlo location. Construction has been ongoing for over four months, and is coming to a close. Boxes of merchandise continue to be unpacked, mannequins are still being styled, and two escalators are finishing installation.

Inside the main entrance is a large circular window display decorated with Japanese origami art, shaped as Canadian maple leafs. Behind the window display lies a table of flannel shirts. “We made sure we had enough red flannel,” Mr. Hayashi laughs. The presence of Canada is felt throughout the entire first floor. Photos from Uniqlo Canada's latest campaign 'Uncommon Thread' are placed around the store, which features Toronto-based models of different ethnicities and ages at different locations in Toronto.