TOKYO, Reuters – Uniqlo’s Japanese owners said Thursday that the brand’s first-half operating profit rose 18% despite COVID-19 lockdowns and restrictions in China limiting sales to its largest overseas market.

Fast Retailing Co reported an operating profit of 189 billion Japanese yen ($1.51 Billion) for the six-months to February. This compares with 168 billion yen one year ago.

Company maintained full-year profit projections of 270 billion Japanese yen. According to Refinitiv’s poll, 11 analysts forecast that annual profits would reach 278 billion dollars.

($1 = 125.4300 yen)