Uniqlo clothing chain operator's net profit up 23.5%

Fast Retailing Co., the operator of the Uniqlo casual clothing chain, said Thursday its consolidated net profit for the nine-month period through May rose 23.5 percent from a year earlier to 148.3 billion yen ($1.3 billion), driven by strong sales at home and abroad.The Japanese retailer said its group operating profit surged 32.3 percent to 238.90 billion yen, on sales of 1.70 trillion yen, up 15.3 percent.Fast Retailing retained its earnings forecast for the business year through August, projecting a record group operating profit of 225 billion yen and net profit of 130 billion yen, on sa…READ FULL ARTICLE