Irish stores boost sales at Primark

Discount clothing retailer Primark has reported first quarter sales growth of 11%, on a constant currency basis, with “strongly positive” like-for-like sales seen in Ireland, where the company trades as Penneys.

The sales cover the 16 weeks to January 7; effectively the first quarter of parent company Associated British Foods’ financial year.

In November, ABF’s annual results — for the 12 months to September 17 — showed a 1% profit rise and a 9% jump in revenues, to £5.95bn, for Primark, with the retailer saying Penneys had shown strong sales growth throughout the year.