Fast Retailing’s net profit for the latest year was up 61 per cent. Annual sales rose seven per cent. Fast Retailing owns Uniqlo, Theory and GU. Uniqlo Japan’s revenue was down two per cent and operating profit was up 0.6 per cent. Full-year same-store sales (including e-commerce) fell by three per cent year-on-year, but that was largely due to a weak first half. The second half was much more positive. Uniqlo International’s revenue was up rising 20 per cent and operating profit was up 42 per cent.

The Greater China region reported revenue up one percent but operating profit down 16 per cent. Uniqlo south and south east Asia and Oceania reported large increases in both revenue and profit. North America achieved a large increase in revenue and an operating profit margin just below ten per cent. Europe (excluding Russia) also saw a big revenue rise and a move to profits. But the company’s GU segment’s revenue was down one per cent and operating profit was down 17 per cent. Theory reported significant increases in revenue and profit thanks to a recovery in performance in both the United States and Japan. The label was able to successfully expand its customer base by offering comfortable, highly finished lightweight clothing and strategically expanding products with revised price lines.