In an IR interview conducted by IR INFO Navi, UNIFORM NEXT CO.,LTD. explained its work-uniform business centered on e-commerce and its growth strategy. The interview covered the company’s founding, the promotion of e-commerce, and the expansion of proprietary services using AI and IT.
The company traces its origins to a small uniform sales agency started by the founder’s father in Fukui Prefecture in 1994. In 2007, under Yasutaka Yokoi (横井 康孝), who became president, it shifted to sales using e-commerce. At the time, sales were ¥200 million, borrowings were ¥100–200 million, and the company had approximately 10 employees, but it recognized the limits of the traditional agency business and shifted toward online sales.
The company’s current business centers on e-commerce sites and provides work uniforms for a wide range of industries, including food service, construction, manufacturing and healthcare. While focusing on online sales, it also places emphasis on offline support, ensuring comprehensive product information and clear communication of fit and functionality. Other distinguishing features include consistent service and training provided by its own staff, as well as the in-house production of embroidery and printing.
Its growth strategy focuses on measures to encourage repeat purchases and increase the e-commerce penetration rate, while strengthening efforts to revise its inventory strategy and reach small and medium-sized enterprises. It is also rolling out “Unineku,” a SaaS service for small and medium-sized enterprises, providing systems that reduce the workload of accounting and general affairs departments. In addition, it combines community-based sales focused on the three Hokuriku prefectures with nationwide online operations.
Going forward, the company aims to further increase its e-commerce ratio against a backdrop of closures and succession issues among regional agencies, while expanding its wholesale division and pursuing cross-selling of peripheral products. Over the medium to long term, it has indicated a policy of supporting corporate growth through higher employee motivation and greater efficiency by expanding services that make use of IT.