Retail round-up on April 15, 2016: Lidl's Irish sales break €1bn mark, and Primark debuts in Italy.

Lidl smashes €1bn sales barrier in Ireland

Lidl’s Irish sales crossed the €1bn mark ‘a while back’, according to its managing director John Paul Scally.

The German hard discounter plans to set up a further “40 or 50” stores in the country in the next few years on top of its existing 147.

Primark opens first Italian store

Fashion chain Primark has officially entered the Italian market, opening its first outlet in Milan.

The retailer said the new store spans 56,000 sq ft in the Il Centro shopping centre in Arese, Milan and would employ 400 staff members.

“This new Primark store will offer our new Italian customers amazing fashion at amazing prices for all the family,” Primark chief executive Paul Marchant said.