Associated British Foods has announced that fourth quarter sales at its Primark arm were lower than expected, with shopper numbers hurt by public health measures in its major markets to control the spread of COVID-19.
In a pre-close trading update, Associated British Foods said that Primark's like-for-like sales in the third quarter were 3% ahead of the comparable period two years ago, reflecting very strong trading in the UK and those European regions where stores had reopened.
However, it forecast that for the fourth quarter to September 18 Primark's like-for-like sales would be down 17% on two years ago.
'Significant Improvement'
The group said Primark had seen a significant improvement in trading as the quarter progressed, from a weekly decline in like-for-like sales of 24% at the start of the period to a decline of 10% in recent weeks.
Despite the shortfall in Primark's sales the group still raised its profit outlook for the full 2020-21 year, reflecting strong profit margins at the fashion business, due to a significant reduction in labour and store operating costs, and a robust performance from its food and sugar operations.
It forecast full-year adjusted operating profit stated before repayment of job retention monies, above last year's £1 billion, excluding the benefit of a 53rd week this year. It had previously forecast it to be in line with the previous year's outcome.
For the full year, the group now expects AB Sugar to deliver an even greater improvement in adjusted operating profit over last year than previously expected, while Primark's adjusted operating profit, stated before repayment of job retention scheme monies, is expected to be ahead of last year.
Grocery Performance
The business said that its Grocery business is 'expected to be ahead of last year', with its Twinings and Ovaltine business continuing to make 'strong progress' – its Ovaltine brand performed particularly strongly in Thailand, China and Switzerland, it noted, while Twinings is now the leading tea brand in France.
AB World Foods, Silver Spoon and Westmill sales were 'significantly ahead of pre-COVID levels and maintained the sales uplifts achieved last year', it added.
The group's AB Sugar business is expected to post a 7% increase in revenue for the full year, driven by higher prices and volumes.
News by Reuters, edited by ESM. For more A-Brands stores, click here. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: European Supermarket Magazine.
