Primark drives sales at AB Foods as consumers shrug off price hikes

The parent firm of Primark has revealed a jump in profits and sales as shoppers continued to shop "enthusiastically" at the high street chain despite price rises and budget pressures.

Associated British Foods which also runs large grocery, ingredients and agriculture operations, said the backdrop is still "challenging" for consumers but stressed that it has seen inflationary pressure ease over the past year.

It said company profits jumped by a quarter to £1.34 billion over the year to 16 September, compared with a year earlier, as it was boosted by Primark.

AB Foods added that profit from the retailer, which has 432 shops globally, is set to see profits rise further as it benefits from lower raw material and freight costs.

During the past year, Primark implemented "selective price increases" for shoppers after reporting a spike in costs to make products and operate shops.

On Tuesday, the group revealed that Primark sales surpassed expectations from last year as demand increased across its markets despite the increased pricing.

Primark sales grew 15% to £9 billion for the year, with 11% growth in the UK.

It hailed the sales performance in the face of poor weather conditions over the final half of the year, which impacted high street footfall.

As a whole, AB Foods group revenue increased 16% to £19.7 billion for the year, as it was also boosted by higher pricing in other areas.

Sales in its grocery business, which includes brands such as Twinings, Ryvita and Patak’s, grew by 12% to £4.2 billion after passing higher costs on to consumers.

George Weston, CEO of Associated British Foods, said: "At the outset of this financial year the group was facing very significant economic challenges caused in part by major geo-political events.

"Looking back on the year, it is clear to me that the group performed extremely well and is as a result now well positioned for the year ahead."