Fast Retailing H1 sales up 17 percent

For the first half of fiscal 2013, from September 2012 through

February 2013, the Fast Retailing Group achieved gains in both sales and income. Sales rose 17 percent year-on-year, operating income increased by 5.3 percent, ordinary income rose 15.2 percent and net income expanded by 13.8 percent. Uniqlo International and Global Brands reported gains in both sales and income in the first half, while Uniqlo Japan reported a rise in sales but a fall in profit over the six-month period.

Uniqlo Japan sales increased while profit contracted in the first half, with sales rising 6.2 percent year-on-year and operating income contracting by 4.5 percent. The fall in operating income at Uniqlo Japan was due to contraction in the gross margin to 46.7 percent. Uniqlo International reported significant gains in sales and income in the first half, with sales rising 54 percent and operating income expanding by 39.8 percent. China and Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea and other parts of Asia generated especially strong gains in both sales and income.

Fiscal 2013 sales for Uniqlo Japan are expected to increase by 8.5 percent year-on-year. Sales for Uniqlo International are expected to increase by 52.8 percent year-on-year and operating income by 81.8 percent. For fiscal 2013 sales of Global Brands are expected to rise by 26.8 percent year-on-year and operating income to increase by 27.2 percent. At end February 2013 there were 828 Uniqlo Japan stores. The number of Uniqlo International stores was 359 at the end of February 2013.