Prolonged summer takes heat out of Uniqlo sales

Uniqlo parent, Japanese giant Fast Retailing, says its total sales dropped 8.1 per cent in November.

“Same-store sales dipped year on year in November after unusually hot weather in mid-month stifled sales of winter clothing necessities,” the company said in a  brief trading statement which gave only percentages and not total sales data.

The number of Uniqlo stores operating outside Japan exceeded the number of domestic stores last month – by 864 to 844.

In November, same-store sales decreased by 8.9 per cent year on year while sales at its own-run stores (excluding franchises) decreased by 9.9 per cent. Total sales, including online, thus fell by 8.1 per cent.