Uniqlo said the store openings, which are expected to open in the autumn/winter of 2024, will build on the brand's ambitious plan to reach 200 stores in North America by 2027.

The expansion will focus on regions with existing brand presence as well as new markets for Uniqlo across the US.

Uniqlo will open its first stores in Dallas and Houston in Texas in 2024 and plans to extend its west coast presence, including new stores in San Diego and Sacramento in California too.

In total, Uniqlo plans to open 11 new stores across Texas and California in 2024, with the states representing a significant portion of the 20+ store openings planned for North America this year.

Yoshihide Shindo, CEO of Uniqlo USA, said: "We are thrilled to be coming to Texas, a state where we have seen positive customer demand and where Uniqlo LifeWear products can perfectly serve the needs of the various lifestyles and climates throughout Houston and Dallas. In addition to this incredibly momentous step for Uniqlo in the US and for our business globally, we are also furthering our commitment to the west coast.

"We have been listening to our customers in these regions, where we have seen strong interest from e-commerce, and look forward to bringing them the full Uniqlo LifeWear experience when we open our doors this fall/winter."

Uniqlo currently has around 2,400 stores across the world. Its parent company Fast Retailing has almost 3,600 stores across its retail brands, which also include Theory, Comptoir des Cotonniers and Princess Tam Tam.

The news follows Fast Retailing's announcement last year that it plans to open more than 20 new Uniqlo stores in the US and Canada in 2024, which is double the number of stores opened in 2023, after it reported a record annual profit for FY23.