Primark has hired former Topshop trading boss James Mooney as merchandising director for womenswear.

Mooney was one of a string of senior managers to quit Sir Philip Green’s beleaguered fashion empire last summer. He joined Primark last week.

A Primark spokeswoman said: “James brings a wealth of international experience to Primark having previously held a number of senior merchandising roles at Arcadia Group.”

Last month, the value fashion giant hired Paula Dumont-Lopez as trading director following the decision by New Look to row back on her appointment following the exit of former boss Anders Kristiansen.

Primark is continuing to beat a tricky fashion market, reporting rising like-for-likes and a 7% total sales rise in the 16 weeks to January 6.

The majority of multichannel retailers are struggling with falling sales, costly estates and intense competition from etailers including Asos and Boohoo, able to provide on-trend items quicker and less expensively than their bricks-and-mortar counterparts.