Primark sales surge 7% despite mild weather

Primark — the Dublin-founded discount clothing retailer which trades here as Penneys — saw a 7% jump in sales, in constant currency terms in the first quarter of its financial year, which runs to early January.

The performance was included in that of parent group, Associated British Foods (ABF), which yesterday reported a 2% drop in group revenue for the 16 weeks to January 2 at actual exchange rates, but a 3% jump in constant curreny terms.

Regarding Primark, total sales were only 3% ahead of the corresponding period the previous year due to the weakening of the euro against sterling.