ASSOCIATED BRITISH FOODS news and archive

Primark CEO Paul Marchant steps down after probe into behaviour

Associated British Foods (ABF) has announced the immediate departure of Paul Marchant, chief executive of fashion chain Primark, following an investigation into allegations of inappropriate behaviour towards a woman in a social setting. Marchant acknowledged his error in judgment and admitted his actions fell short of ABF's expected standards....

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Robust retail expansion drives sales and profit growth at Primark

Primark’s revenue growth in 2024 was 6 percent to 9.4 billion pounds with like-for-like sales growing 1.2 percent. The company reported 51 percent growth in adjusted operating profit to 1.1 billion pounds, with margin recovery to 11.7 percent, up from 8.2 percent in 2023. For 2025, Primark is targeting mid-single digit sales growth as the...

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ABF says "unfavourable" UK weather to impact Primark's H2

Associated British Foods (ABF), parent company of Primark, expects revenue growth in the second half to be around 4 percent, driven by a strong sales contribution from the continued store expansion programme. Like‐for‐like sales are expected to decrease by around 0.5 percent, with growth of 0.2 percent in the third quarter and a projected...

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AB Foods-owned Primark posts increased profit margins

Primark sales were up 7.5 percent for the 24 weeks to March 2, 2024 marked by a slow start for many cold weather categories due to unseasonal warm weather, followed by strong Christmas trading with seasonal ranges selling through well. However, the company, part of the diversified Associated British Foods (ABF), said in a release that adjusted...

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Strategic price increases drive Primark's growth

Primark's sales growth in FY23, posted by owner Associated British Food this week, highlights strategic measures that propelled the clothing retailer's success. Like-for-like sales surged by 9 percent, generating 9 billion pounds in revenue. Adjusted operating profit, slightly lower at 735 million pounds with an 8.2 percent margin, reflects...

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Primark records strong annual sales growth

Primark revenues rose strongly during the financial year to September 16, 2023, up 15 percent to 9 billion pounds reflecting a sales increase across its core markets. The company, part of the Associated British Foods plc, said, the performance was driven by carefully selected price increases taken to partially offset high and volatile input cost...

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Primark sales grow by 13 percent in Q3

In the third quarter, Primark, part of the diversified Associated British Foods, grew sales by 13 percent, with like-for-like sales growth of 7 percent, supported by higher average selling prices. Like-for-like sales growth for the year to date is 9 percent, while like- for-like sales growth in the quarter was 6 percent in the UK and 7 percent...

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Primark reports record Christmas sales

Primark, part of Associated British Foods plc said in a trading update that footfall during the Christmas period was strong in both the UK and the Eurozone, and sales were 18 percent ahead of last year at actual exchange rates and 15 percent at constant currency to 3.15 billion pounds. The company's like-for-like sales were 11 percent ahead,...

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Marks & Spencer exec steps down to join Primark owner

Primark’s owner Associated British Foods (ABF) has announced that Eoin Tonge has been appointed as the company’s next finance director, succeeding John Bason who is retiring and stepping down from the board. A start date is yet to be agreed on, however ABF said it will be no later than February 2023. Tonge will be joining ABF from Marks &...

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Primark foresees trade recovery, plans to add stores in key markets

For the year to September 18, 2021, Associated British Foods plc reported revenue of 13.9 billion pounds, in line with last year at actual exchange rates and 1 percent ahead at constant currency. The company said in a release that Primark sales in both years were impacted by trading restrictions and store closures. The periods of closure were...

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Primark commits to paying more to support its suppliers

Fast-fashion retailer Primark has agreed to pay more to suppliers, releasing a statement saying it will agree to take more than 300 million pounds of additional products both finished and in production. The commitment will see Primark paying for some 370 million pounds of additional orders for product over and above the 1.5 billion pounds of...

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Primark pledges to pay factory workers

Primark has pledged to assist factory workers during the coronavirus crisis after establishing a fund to cover the wages component of orders that have been cancelled. The fast-fashion retailer closed its entire store estate on March 22, due to the global Covid-19 health crisis, which has resulted in the loss of sales of 650 million pounds every...