Uniqlo’s same-store sales rose 4 percent year on year in July as consumers stocked up on comfortable “stay at home” clothes amid the novel coronavirus pandemic, its owner, Fast Retailing Co Ltd, said on Tuesday.

The 4 per cent rise in domestic same-store sales, including online purchases, followed a 26 per cent jump in June, which came after a three-month slump when the coronavirus outbreak kept shoppers at home and tourists away due to lockdowns and restrictions.

“Stay at home demand” gave a boost to July sales, with items such as stretchy jogging pants and oversized T-shirts proving popular, the company said. At the end of July, the company added, a total of seven stores remained temporarily closed and 93 stores were operating shorter working hours due to Covid-19. Uniqlo closed one store in Japan during the month under review.