The retailer, owned by Associated British Foods (ABF), posted a 20 per cent profit increase to£71 million. This helped to boost overall group pre-tax profits at ABF, which were down 2 per cent to£255 million.
ABF chief executive George Weston said: 'Primark continues to trade strongly and will benefit from the heavy investment now being made in its expansion.'
ABF admitted that sales growth at Primark was affected by the fire that destroyed its main UK warehouse last November, but said stock levels have now returned to normal.
The retailer opened seven UK stores last year and expects to double its selling space to 3.6 million sq ft (334,440 sq m) by early next year. It is refurbishing 41 stores acquired during the takeover of Littlewoods last July, and its first Spanish outlet will open at Plenilunio outside Madrid early this summer.
The group reported that the former Littlewoods business had traded successfully until its closure in January, with profits well ahead of expectations at£16 million. Of the 79 stores not required by Primark, 61 have been sold.
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