AB Foods boosted by Primark’s resilient summer

The retailer, which has 242 stores across Europe, is expected to see revenues rise by 17 per cent over its current financial year, which ends on Saturday.

The figure - excluding currency movements - includes “buoyant” trading in continental Europe, even though much of the region is mired in a debt crisis.

Associated British Foods, which owns Primark as well as household brands Kingsmill, Ryvita and Twinings, said profits for the second half of the financial period should be “substantially ahead” of last year.

It said its grocery customers continued to seek value through promotions and price but warned that recently higher wheat prices meant margins at its Kingsmill bread division were likely to come under further pressure.

At Primark, AB Foods estimated that when excluding the addition of 19 new stores over the year sales will be three per cent higher in the financial period, with the performance of recently opened shops also exceeding expectations.

The company will boost its presence on London’s Oxford Street later this month with a new four-floor outlet. It will also have 28 outlets in Spain after opening five new stores in the debt-laden country this summer.

Primark has been the star performer within AB Foods over recent years as it has ridden the boom in demand for budget clothing on the high street.