Customisation and repair facility opens at Sapporo outdoor flagship

Come 5 September, THE NORTH FACE+ Sapporo Factory in Hokkaido will reopen with Eastern Japan’s first permanent REPAIR & CUSTOM service counter. The flagship store will integrated garment repair/maintenance and personalisation directly into its retail floor, so as to extend the lifespan of their apparel and equipment.

The new counter provides a physical space where customers can consult with trained staff on garment care and submit items for professional mending. Alongside technical repairs, the venue features a customisation workshop equipped with operational embroidery machinery. Visitors can personalise newly purchased or existing items using patches, transfer prints, or custom lettering chosen from approximately 60 artist-created designs, with processing fees starting at 550 yen.

Emotional durability seems to be the major theme, combining structural repair with aesthetic customisation. By allowing consumers to alter and repair their gear on site, the service encourages users to develop deeper personal connections with their clothing, making them less likely to discard items prematurely.

The Sapporo opening follows the launch of a similar counter in Nagoya earlier in 2026, with additional facilities scheduled to open at major retail hubs in Chiba and Fukuoka later in the autumn.