Uniqlo shutters 100 China stores as coronavirus spreads

Japanese retailers Muji and Yoshinoya also suspend locations in Wuhan amid travel ban

20200128N Beijing shoppers

People at a shopping district in Beijing on Jan. 25. The coronavirus outbreak in China is believed to be dampening consumer spending over the Lunar New Year holiday, the country's busiest shopping season. © Reuters

KYOMI KATSUNO, Nikkei staff writer

TOKYO -- Japan's Fast Retailing has temporarily closed more than 10% of its Uniqlo fast-fashion stores in China, Nikkei learned Tuesday, as retailers grapple with the country's fast-spreading coronavirus outbreak.

About 100 locations are affected, mainly in Hubei Province, whose capital of Wuhan is believed to be ground zero for the virus. Fast Retailing had 750 Uniqlos in China at the end of December.

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