Primark/Penneys misses sales targets due to impact of Covid restrictions

Primark's two biggest markets, Britain and Spain, were particularly badly hit

The group said Primark, which does not trade online, did see an improvement from a weekly decline in like-for-like sales of 24% early in the quarter to a drop of 10% in recent weeks. File Picture: Gareth Chaney/Collins

Sales at fashion retailer Primark – which trades in Ireland as Penneys - fell short of management expectations in its latest quarter, hit by public health restrictions in major markets to control the fast-spreading Delta coronavirus variant.

Shares in owner Associated British Foods were down 3.4% it forecast Primark's like-for-like sales in its fourth quarter to September 18 were down 17% on the same period two years ago. That was after a 3% increase in the third quarter when stores reopened from pandemic lockdowns.