April 1 - Fast Retailing said existing store sales at its Uniqlo clothing chain declined 10.5 percent in March after Japan's earthquake and tsunami kept customers away and damaged stores.

Uniqlo

One hundred and sixty stores were forced to close after the March 11 disaster with 14 still shuttered at the end of the month, the company said in a statement.

Although there were fewer people in its stores, the amount each customer spent rose 3 percent, Fast Retailing said.

Prior to the announcement, shares of Fast Retailing gained 2.7 percent to close at 10,690 yen in Tokyo.

(Reporting by Tim Kelly; Editing by Edwina Gibbs)