Kolon Industries FnC (hereinafter “Kolon FnC”), a South Korean company specializing in synthetic fibers and fashion, is expanding its global luxury golfwear brand G/FORE into Japan and China. Having already established the brand’s success in Korea, Kolon FnC aims to drive its international growth by leveraging over 30 years of experience in the golfwear industry and its robust brand management capabilities.
On May 2, Kolon FnC announced that it had signed an exclusive master license agreement with G/FORE’s U.S. headquarters for business operations in Japan and China. The company plans to launch full-scale operations in both countries, beginning with flagship stores in key commercial districts. Over the past four years, G/FORE has disrupted the Korean golfwear market and established itself as a successful business model.
On April 25, G/FORE officially opened a store at GINZA SIX, a premier luxury shopping mall in Tokyo. As Japan’s largest luxury complex, GINZA SIX houses global high-end brands such as Louis Vuitton and Celine, making it a strategic location to reinforce G/FORE’s premium image. Notably, the G/FORE store is situated in the luxury fashion section, rather than the sports or golf zone, targeting affluent Japanese consumers with a strong appetite for high-end fashion.
Reflecting its premium positioning, the store’s interior has been designed to deliver a luxurious shopping experience that blends sophistication with modern aesthetics. The store concept, originally introduced in G/FORE’s Korean locations, has been further elevated and refined to meet the preferences of the Japanese market.
G/FORE also made its debut in China, opening its first store on April 15 at MIXC, an upscale shopping mall in Shenzhen. The brand plans to open another location at Shanghai’s iconic Plaza 66 within the first half of the year. Both sites are major luxury retail destinations, and G/FORE intends to use them as strategic hubs to reach high-end consumers and fashion influencers in China’s top-tier cities.
Yoo Seok-jin, CEO of Kolon FnC, commented, “Just as G/FORE successfully established a strong retail presence in Korea by deeply understanding the local market and its consumers, we will apply our accumulated know-how to ensure successful expansion in Japan and China.” He added, “With G/FORE as the starting point, Kolon FnC aims to develop a new growth model for the Asian fashion market through an integrated partnership strategy that connects brands, markets, and consumers.”
