Nov. 3--TOKYO -- Retail businesses pursuing low-price policies have been enjoying remarkably favorable sales in recent months, as exemplified by the operators of McDonald's and Uniqlo.

McDonald's Holdings Co. (Japan) on Monday said its sales at outlets in this country, including franchise stores, rose to a record 397.4 billion yen in the January-September period, up 3.3 percent from the same period last year.

The same day, Fast Retailing Co., which operates Uniqlo outlets, said its October sales across the nation jumped 35.7 percent from the same month last year, marking the biggest year-on-year monthly increase since March 2001, when sales rose 42.6 percent on the back of its popular fleece wear.

McDonald's drew customers with campaigns based on free cups of coffee and its Quarter Pounder hamburger -- which uses a patty 2.5 times bigger than normal -- while other restaurant chains, including family restaurants and izakaya, have failed to attract customers.

According to its consolidated earnings report for the nine-month period, McDonald's operating profit rose to 17.6 billion yen, up 23.9 percent on year, a record high since it was listed on the Jasdaq stock market in 2001.

Uniqlo sales were boosted by its fleece wear and Heat-tech underwear, which is made from heat-retaining textiles. The retailer said its new footwear lines and clothing designed by Jil Sander also are proving popular.

Meanwhile, many department stores and supermarkets are struggling to sell clothes.

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