UNIQLO may never become as ubiquitous in Australia as it is in Japan but the retailer known overseas as the "department store killer" is fast becoming a household name. 
Eighteen months after opening its first store in Australia, UNIQLO has unveiled plans to open stores in Indooropilly next month and in Brisbane and Chatswood early next year, taking the number of stores to 10.
UNIQLO Australia chief development officer Matt Parker says the fast-growing chain is also looking for sites in South Australia and Western Australia, and regional centres in all states.
"We'd like to take our brand to as much of Australia as we can. At the end of the day we're keeping a very open mind about how many stores we can have."
UNIQLO is believed to be looking at sites vacated by established retailers such as Myer, which has flagged plans to close as many as 13 stores as part of its turnaround plan.
UNIQLO's founder, Tadashi Yanai, wants the 31-year old chain to become the market leader in casual apparel in Australia and the global leader by 2020. This means its sales in Australia would need to reach $1 billion, exceeding those at specialty retailers such as The Country Road Group, Premier Investments' Just Jeans, Dotti and Jay Jays brands, Specialty Fashion and Cotton On Group.
UNIQLO has 1600-plus stores in 17 countries including Japan, the Uniteds States, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and the Philippines.
Mr Parker said UNIQLO Australia's sales to date had exceeded expectations, fuelled by strong demand for its iconic ultra-light down jackets and vests, cashmere sweaters, linen shirts and temperature-regulating "innerwear".
"We're very happy with the way we're trading in Australia," he said.
"We have high-quality products that are very functional and at an affordable price. The Australian customer is very sophisticated and they know the difference between quality and non-quality," he said.
"The fact that we have a functional element too has really helped us - we're selling basic fashion that resonates with a large part of the population."
UNIQLO generated sales of $33 million in the first five months after opening its first store in Melbourne's Emporium in   April last year, according to ASIC filings, but sales for 2015 have not been released.
Ferrier Hodgson retail partner James Stewart says the company is known as a "department store killer" overseas and mid-market department store chains Myer, Target and BIG W may have more to lose than specialty stores.
Mr Parker declined to comment on whether UNIQLO's parent, Fast Retailing, planned to emulate global retailers such as H&M and bring its other brands, such as Comptoir des Cotonniers, GU, Princesse tam.tam and Theory, to Australia.
H&M's more sophisticated sister COS (Collections of Style) is due to open its first Sydney store this month after opening in Melbourne late last year.
"The important thing for us is to establish UNIQLO in the Australian market," Mr Parker said.