Primark parent ABF said that it has shut branches in France, Italy, Spain and Austria ”until the respective governments permit them to reopen”. The shops account for 20% of Primark’s selling space and 30% of sales.

ABF warned that the revenue hit would take a toll. While it reassured that first-half adjusted operating profit will be ahead of expectations, ”mainly due to higher margins for Primark and grocery”, it also said that “given the effect of Covid-19 on Primark’s sales, it is too early to provide earnings guidance for the remainder of the current financial year” .