Uniqlo February sales turn upwards after run of weaker months

By

Sandra Halliday

Published
Mar 4, 2019

Fast Retailing had better news than it has had for a few months when it reported its Uniqlo February sales on Monday. The company, which was only reporting Japanese sales, said that they rose a fairly respectable 3% on a comparable basis (including online) while its total sales were up by the same encouraging percentage.

The last positive monthly report the company issued was for September, with last autumn and early winter sales generally having been weak, although the cold weather in January helped to slow down the decline.

But for February, the company’s “favourable launch of spring ranges” was what boosted interest in its offer.

Average purchases per customer may have been broadly flat, but customer numbers edged up at its directly-operated stores and higher footfall was just what the company needed.

And it looks like the good news could continue into this month with current temperatures in Japan being a little above the historical average. 

The weather is crucial for retailers during transitional periods and just as the company was earlier boosted by chillier temperatures, a long enough spell of warmer weather could be just what’s needed to encourage consumers to part with their cash for warmer weather pieces in brighter, spring-like colours.