Japanese fashion retailer UNIQLO has opened its first regional store in Liverpool ONE. The casualwear titan launches with two floors of wardrobe essentials and could become one of the city's biggest arrivals in years. The demand for UNIQLO to open in Liverpool has been around for years. In many major cities around the world, UNIQLO occupies one of the most central, accessible and stylish units available. Now that Liverpool is finally getting in one the action, it's game over for high street competitors who retained most of the footfall. I've always described UNIQLO as a necessity rather than a destination. A one stop shop for everything you need; casualwear, sportswear, summer clothes, festival gear, pyjamas, and everything else. There's nothing particularly ground breaking on the rails - it simply delivers quality items with a subtle yet noticeable twist. The difference is in the tailoring and details rather than boisterous designs and slogans. It's one of the few global heavyweights that refuses to egregiously slap it's logo on everything. (Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo) High street staples including Primark and H&M offer a similar shopping experience, but I personally think UNIQLO's quality is unmatched. On the other side of the shopping spectrum is Zara - a brand focusing on high-quality minimalist designs. I've debated whether a few simple pieces are worth the weight on my wallet once reaching the checkout. UNIQLO strikes an appealing balance of eye catching designs and decent quality without the hefty price tag. The Japanese retailer doesn't reinvent the wheel - it makes really good wheels. (Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo) The downside comes in a lack of occasion wear. UNIQLO is full to the brim of every day items but there are few stand outs worth mentioning. You can purchase a mountain of clothes yet struggle to find anything suitable for a cocktail evening, business lunch or particularly loud. I can't imagine UNIQLO stealing customers from Bershka or Pull & Bear as they are design focused brands offering unique patterns, quirky styling and youthful options you'd struggle to find elsewhere. However, UNIQLO may be able to compete with the likes of sportswear brands such as The North Face, Under Armour and Montirex, given their all-encompassing sports utility range. (Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo) For me, I can't see myself purchasing basics and essentials anywhere else but UNIQLO. The quality is there, the design is appealing, and most importantly, it's worth the price tag. The Japanese titan has what it takes to be Liverpool's busiest shop and I'm curious to see if the city's fashion front sways from Nike 110s and Montirex tops to soft half-zip jumpers and linen trousers.