Japanese shoe retailer ABC-Mart is expected to report a profit for the 13th consecutive year.

The giant retailer is set to report a 3 per cent increase in group operating profit to about 41 billion yen (US$370 million) for the fiscal year ended in February, with the solid demand for sneakers making up for sluggish sales of winter items. Sneakers from foreign brands like New Balance and Nike sold well.

Sales apparently climbed 11 per cent to 238 billion yen, topping the forecast by more than 1 billion yen. Same-store sales slipped 1 per cent in December with the warm winter denting sales of  seasonal products such as boots. But same-store sales for the full year grew 5 per cent with the demand for sneakers in January and February, reports Nikkei Asian Review.

Foot traffic fell 4 per cent, with suburban shops struggling to draw customers. ABC-Mart added 74 stores in Japan during the year, 32 more than in the previous fiscal year, mainly in urban areas such as shopping centres near train stations. Urban stores often saw big purchases by families of foreign tourists.

The group will release its figures for the year on Monday.