According to a spokeswoman from casual clothing chain Uniqlo, the company plans on reopening two of its stores in Berlin sometime this week. With this Uniqlo has become the first company in Europe to resume business following a temporary closure due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Uniqlo’s stores in China, its biggest growth market, have reopened earlier following a slowdown in coronavirus infections in the country.

The coronavirus pandemic has disrupted Uniqlo’s supply chain and forced it to shutter more than 50% of its 750 stores in the country.

Japan’s Fast Retailing Co operates 98 Uniqlo stores in Europe. All of its shops are closed other than one in Stockholm where stores and schools continue to remain open, said the company’s spokeswoman.

Earlier this month, Fast Retailing has forecast a 44% fall in operating profit for the year through August.

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Tags: Berlin, casual, clothing chain, coronavirus, coronavirus infections, EU, Europe, Eurozone, Fast Retailing Co, Japan, Japanese, operating profit, outbreak, pandemic, re-open, reopening, resume business, shops, Stockholm, stores, supply chain, temporary closure, Uniqlo