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Fast Retailing

Known for UNIQLO, GU, Theory, J Brand, PLST, Princesse tam.tam, Comptoir des Cotonniers, Helmut Lang, PLST (Plus T)

Fast Retailing is the world's third-largest manufacturer and retailer of private-label apparel. The company primarily operates in the Japanese and Chinese markets, though it has a large presence in South Korea, South-east Asia and Oceania and a smaller presence in Europe and North America. It employs nearly 58,000 people across more than 3,500 stores throughout 20 countries. In 2020, the company’s revenue was around US$18.8 billion.

Summary

Fast Retailing ranks 14th in this year’s Gender Benchmark with a score of 40.1 out of 100. It displays leading practice across 10 out of 34 indicators and is ahead of industry peers on marketplace and governance and strategy. However, the company lags behind on health and well-being and representation, particularly in the workplace.

Fast Retailing is one of two companies assessed that has made a public commitment to address how gender is portrayed in its marketing campaigns, as a signatory to the Unstereotype Alliance to end harmful stereotypes often perpetuated through advertising. Regarding its gender strategy, the company has a Global Diversity Leadership Team with oversight of advancing gender equality in the workplace, in addition to a Sustainability Committee and Human Rights Committee responsible for its gender efforts in the supply chain. It also engages with external stakeholders, such as Women’s Initiative for Leadership (WILL), Women Empowerment Fashion (WEF) and UN Women, to inform its gender strategy.

However, there is no evidence that the company covers any of the additional costs regarding maternal or sexual and reproductive health information and services for its women employees. It also does not require suppliers to address the specific health, safety and hygiene needs of their women workers or have an on-site health clinic with credentialed providers. While the company’s CEO is a woman, Fast Retailing does not maintain gender-balanced representation (between 40-60%) across various levels leadership. Moreover, the company does not disclose whether it procures from women-owned businesses.

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Ranking position: #14/35
Total score: 40.1/100

Measurement area	Score	Rank (0-35)
Governance and strategy	12.0 /20	#4
Representation	4.4 /17.5	#18
Compensation and benefits	5.1 /17.5	#7
Health and well-being	1.1 /17.5	#23
Violence and harassment	8.8 /17.5	#9
Marketplace	5.0 /5	#1
Community	3.8 /5	#7
Total score	40.1 /100	#14

Value chain element	Score
Workplace	14.3 /41
Supply chain	13.5 /41

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2020

More about the company

Headquarters: Yamaguchi, Japan
Revenue: US$18.8 billion (2020)
Total number of employees: 57,727
Ownership structure: Publicly listed
Website: https://www.fastretailing.com/eng/