The world's second-largest fast fashion retailer, Hennes & Mauritz AB (H&M), will more than double its number of shops in Japan by the end of 2012 amid H&M's sales in Japan have been strong compared with other countries.

The chain will add three new shops to its existing chain of 12 stores by the end of this year, including a new outlet in Fukuoka.

It will then open 15 more stores in 2012. The Swedish company's first store in Japan started operations in 2008.