Japanese fashion group Fast Retailing, owner of clothing chain Uniqlo, has partnered with two robotics startups to help improve efficiency in warehousing and distribution.
The announcement comes after Asia’s biggest fashion retailer by sales – and the world’s second-biggest after Zara owner Inditex – last year said it would invest US$916m (£702m) to increase automation at its facilities.
Japanese robotics controller maker Mujin and French robotics startup Exotec Solutions will help introduce more automation at global warehouses, including in picking and shipping processes, Fast Retailing said in a statement.
According to Reuters, Fast Retailing’s Uniqlo is currently enjoying strong growth in China, with the brand logging over US$142m (£108m) of sales during the 24-hour Singles’ Day shopping festival of e-commerce company Alibaba Group Holding Ltd.
However, the outlet also reported that Uniqlo has struggled with inefficiencies, occasionally blaming unseasonable weather for poor sales and excess inventory – an issue Fast Retailing hopes to address with shorter lead times and improved logistics.
Takuya Jimbo, executive vice president at Fast Retailing, said: “Not making, shipping or selling anything unnecessary – this is a goal for retailers. Unfortunately, it’s something that’s not been achieved. New technology could change this.”
The tie-up with Mujin and Exotec follows last month’s announcement that Fast Retailing had teamed up with logistics company Daifuku to automate its Ariake warehouse in Tokyo.
The global strategic partnership aims to “reform and improve logistics systems” to deliver products faster to customers by reducing inventory management and production lead times
The partnership with Daifuku will involve forming a collective logistics team made up of employees from both firms.
