Primark expects yearly sales uplift

Value fashion retailer Primark expects to report increased like-for-like sales, compared with last year, for the six months to March 1.

The retailer revealed its expectation in a pre-close period statement from owner Associated British Foods.

Parent company Associated British Foods said it also expected an increase in profits for the period. Primark now has 115 stores in the UK and Ireland.

Last year, like-for-like sales growth at the chain fell back to 4 per cent from 6 per cent the previous year.

There has been ongoing speculation that ABF might sell Primark to focus on its core business areas.