Mieko Watanabe wanted to buy a soft white dress to wear around the house, but the ¥6,000 price tag at apparel shops put off the 23-year-old office worker. Then she saw what she wanted at a Uniqlo outlet for less than ¥3,000.
"I didn't want to pay ¥6,000 for something to wear at home. But ¥3,000 was not out of my price range," Watanabe said. "Since it fits me, I'll buy another in a different color."
Like Watanabe, many shoppers are turning to low-priced apparel amid the lingering deflationary economy.