Fast Fashion Sector Gets New Player

Cheil Industries, the Seoul, South Korea-based fashion arm of Samsung Group, has opened the first two stores of its new brand, 8Seconds. The brand gets its name from the idea of winning the hearts of shoppers within eight seconds and will compete with such fast-fashion giants as Zara, Gap and H&M.

The parent company says its has plans to open 10 shops targeting revenue of 60 billion won, or $53 million, by the end of the year, according to Women’s Wear Daily.

“We hope to defend our fashion market from inroads by foreign [fast-fashion] brands ad lead the global market with our own label,” Kim Jin-Myon, head of Cheil's fashion division, told WWD.

The first two locations average 15,000 square feet and are located in the wealthy southern neighborhood of Garosugil and the bustling Myeongdong shopping area. The stores offer women's, men's, casual, and accessories.