Primark’s moves into US market ‘well-advanced’

Primark’s expansion into the US is “well-advanced”, with the Dublin-headquartered discount clothing retailer set to open its first store there this year.

The retailer — which trades here as Penneys — has signed eight store leases in the north-east of the US, with openings in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania anticipated in the coming months.

George Weston, chief executive of Primark’s parent, Associated British Foods (ABF), said the retailer’s strong performance recently has been driven by “significant expansion of selling space” and superior trading of relatively newly-opened stores. He said plans for the US entry “are well-advanced”.