Retailer Primark expects high profit as Britons shop early for summer

Primark, the well-known Irish fashion retailer, reportedly expects higher profits than the previously estimated values after Britishers started shopping early for this summer with the easing inflation.

Associated British Foods (ABF) claimed that despite the thriving cost-of-living issue, consumers were still making travel plans, as shown by the high sales of baggage and beachwear such as swimwear, sunglasses, sandals, and even shorts.

ABF’s finance director, John Bason, stated that the company noticed a rise in the sale of suitcases and that people are on the hunt for hot summer trips in January itself.

As per a trading report, it anticipates group sales to climb 20% for the six months to the first half of March compared to the same period last year, driven by a 19% growth in Primark sales. It now anticipates that annual profits will roughly match those of the previous year. It had also anticipated them to be lower out of concerns that the weakening consumer demand would negatively affect Primark trading.

ABF recently indicated that the increasing energy and commodity prices would weigh on the company profitability and potentially result in a decline in the consumer spending.

Apparently, ABF’s products range from animal feed to Twinings tea and apparel. However, it revealed that Primark had performed better than that anticipated throughout the holiday season, supported by sales of heels, loose suits, and knitwear, whilst stating that some of the pressures had subsided.

Business at Primark was great in all its regions, well above the forecasts. Over the time period, it anticipates profit margins of over 8%. The Omicron Covid-19 variation caused sales to be disrupted in late 2021 and early 2022, in contrast to Primark’s strong performance during those times.

ABF issued a warning about the potential for decreased consumer spending in the coming months. Although the latest economic data indicates that the U.K. may narrowly avoid a recession during the first six months this year, several analysts are skeptical that consumers would keep spending at a steady rate as interest rates increase and the government energy price support expires.

Source credit: https://www.theguardian.com/business/2023/feb/27/primark-expects-higher-profits-shop-early-summer