Fast Retailing, the Japanese retail group behind Uniqlo, has forecast another record year after reporting a strong rise in half-year profits. The company said it was buoyed by strong international growth, including new store openings in the UK.
For the six months to February 28, operating profits rose 31.7% to 400.6 billion yen (£1.88 billion), while revenues increased 14.8% to 2.05 trillion yen (£9.64 billion). The group noted higher transport costs due to the conflict in the Middle East but remained optimistic.
Uniqlo International revenues jumped 22.4%, with double-digit sales growth in Europe and North America driven by store openings and strong demand for winter clothing. In the UK, Uniqlo is opening its first store in Bristol later this month and plans to open in Leeds in 2026.
Fast Retailing said it is on track to achieve sales growth of 14.7% and operating profit growth of 24.1% for the full financial year, reaching around 700 billion yen (£3.24 billion).
