Fast Retailing, the operator of the fast-expanding chain, said it was on course for higher annual profits as cost-conscious shoppers seek out bargains during the economic crisis.
The company said net profits soared 43.6 per cent in the three months to November from a year ago to 22.17 billion yen (S$359 million).
Uniqlo stores in Japan saw strong sales of autumn and winter products, the firm said.
Operating profit jumped 45.6 per cent to 40.94 billion yen as revenue climbed 17.5 per cent to 188.51 billion yen.
The company expects a 14.9 per cent rise in net profit in the business year to August to 50 billion yen - 4.2 per cent higher than an earlier forecast. It projected operating profit of 99 billion yen and revenue of 627 billion yen.
The Uniqlo chain has been expanding overseas and said on Friday it planned to open its first store in Singapore in April.
A first Uniqlo store will open on April 9 in the Tampines 1 shopping mall, which is currently under construction, followed by another shop in the ION Orchard mall in early June.
'Singapore will be a strategic move for us to expand in the South-east Asian market, as part of our global strategy,' Fast Retailing said.
In addition to 746 stores in Japan, the Uniqlo brand has 66 overseas stores in Britain, China, France, Hong Kong and the United States. -- AFP