Tokyo-based apparel giant Fast Retailing Co., the parent company of Uniqlo, reported a stellar performance for the fiscal year ending August 31, 2025, underscoring the brand’s growing global dominance.
The group’s revenue climbed 9.6% year-on-year to 3.40 trillion yen (€19.2 billion), while business profit surged 13.6% to 551.1 billion yen (€3.1 billion). Net profit attributable to shareholders rose 16.4% to 433 billion yen (€2.4 billion), signaling continued momentum for its flagship brand.
Fast Retailing credited the strong performance to Uniqlo’s rising global appeal, with its LifeWear concept resonating across markets and gaining local media traction worldwide.
Uniqlo Japan: A Solid Home Run
At home, Uniqlo Japan recorded a 10.1% jump in revenue to 1.03 trillion yen (€5.8 billion), fueled by an 8.1% increase in same-store sales. The segment’s business profit rose 17.5% to 181.3 billion yen (€1.0 billion), driven by better product mix and improved in-store experiences.
Uniqlo International: Powering Global Growth
Beyond Japan, Uniqlo International continued to accelerate, with revenue up 11.6% to 1.91 trillion yen (€10.8 billion) and business profit up 10.6% to 305.3 billion yen (€1.7 billion). The company reported robust growth in South Korea, Southeast Asia, India, Australia, North America, and Europe, while Greater China, though still the soft spot, showed early signs of recovery in August and September.
Fast Retailing acknowledged the impact of new U.S. tariffs, but said it had offset the additional costs by refining pricing strategies, cutting back on discounts, and tightening cost controls—moves that helped protect profit margins.
GU and Global Brands: Mixed Fortunes
The GU casualwear segment saw revenues rise 3.6% to 330.7 billion yen (€1.9 billion), but business profit slipped 12.6% to 28.3 billion yen (€159.9 million) due to cost pressures.
Meanwhile, the Global Brands portfolio (including Theory and Comptoir des Cotonniers) faced a 5.3% drop in revenueto 131.5 billion yen (€743.3 million), though profits improved sharply to 2.6 billion yen (€14.7 million) from just 0.1 billion yen a year earlier.
2026 Outlook: Bigger Ambitions Ahead
Looking ahead, Fast Retailing expects 2026 consolidated revenue to jump 10.3% to 3.75 trillion yen (€21.2 billion), and business profit to climb 10.7% to 610 billion yen (€3.4 billion).
- Uniqlo Japan projects steady profits amid rising input costs.
- Uniqlo International is poised for broad-based growth, with North America targeting a 15% operating marginthrough brand elevation and efficiency gains.
- Both GU and Global Brands are expected to post higher sales and stronger profits as Fast Retailing sharpens its global retail strategy.
At the close of FY2025, 1 yen equaled approximately €0.0057, underscoring a favorable currency backdrop for international earnings translation.
Photo Courtesy: fastretailing.com
