FOCUS: Pandemic widens divide between winners and losers in apparel business

The coronavirus pandemic has widened a divide between winners and losers in the retail apparel sector in Japan as an increasing number of people prefer reasonably priced functional garments, moving away from traditional business wear.A retailer of food and apparel items in Gunma Prefecture, north of Tokyo, opened its first store named "Workman" selling construction workers' clothing in 1980. In 1982, Workman Co. was established.The number of Workman stores across the country reached 902 as of the end of January, surpassing the 809 stores run by Japanese apparel giant Fast Retailing Co.'s Un…READ FULL ARTICLE