Uniqlo’s Airism masks draw crowds both online and offline in Singapore

SINGAPORE – The much anticipated Uniqlo’s Airism mask, which sold out on its first day of sales in Japan, draws crowds both online and offline in its launch in Singapore today (24 August).

Queues formed outside some Uniqlo shops across Singapore before they officially opened for business for the day. The wait at physical shops after mid-day observed to be within 15 minutes.

“In anticipation of the high demand, we have made preparations such as implementing purchase limits, allocating daily stocks, and putting in place a queue system both at the physical and online stores,” Joyce Tan, Marketing Director of Uniqlo Singapore shared with Yahoo Lifestyle SEA.

Customers receive purchase tickets when they are in the queue at the stores, indicating the size and colour of the masks they are going to buy.

To minimise mask hoarding or resale at a higher price, each customer can only buy a maximum of two packs of masks and the tickets are only valid for the day it is given and at the specific outlet.

Many who tried to purchase the Airism masks online were met with long waiting time to load the page and multiple attempts to complete the payment. Restrictions are also placed on online purchases, stating that “each customer may only purchase one packet of Airism Mask for every colour and size daily”.

Some customers faced issues with payment, with an error loading code after they had keyed in payment details.

Due to the increased in online purchase, the homepage is updated with a shipping delay notice. Online purchases, regardless of apparel, made between 24 - 26 August, may take a longer time to be delivered to customers.

With masks being made compulsory in Singapore since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Singaporeans have scrambled to get their hands on various types of reusable masks. The Airism masks are designed to provide comfort while providing optimal protection.

The three-layered Airism masks boost a 99% bacterial filtration efficiency, blocking out both bacteria and pollen, and comes with a UV protection of 50+. According to Uniqlo, the masks are cool to touch and are machine washable. Two colourways are available for purchase: black and white.