Feb 2 (Reuters) - Monthly sales at Fast Retailing's (9983.T) Uniqlo stores in Japan rose for the first time in six months in January, boosted by strong demand for winter clothing.

Photo : Reuters

Uniqlo's same-store sales last month rose 10.7 percent year-on-year amid higher sales of items such as its popular "Heattech" thermal underwear, after inventory shortages the January before.

Uniqlo's sales stumbled in 2010 as an improving economy prodded some shoppers who had flocked to the casual clothing retailer in search of bargains back to pricier shops and department stores.

Shares in Fast Retailing settled 2.8 percent higher at 12,250 yen prior to Wednesday's announcement, outperforming a 1.8 percent gain in the benchmark Nikkei average .N225.

(Reporting by James Topham; Editing by Joseph Radford)