Primark Sticks to Forecasts But Falters Over Christmas, Marking a 2.7% Sales Decline

Primark confirms its forecasts. The Irish low-cost fashion group posted a 2.7% decline in comparable sales, while total sales advanced 1% in the last 16 weeks to January 8th, 2026, on the back of new openings. AB Foods said Primark posted a turnover of 3.502 billion pounds ($4.703 billion) during the period.

By geography, like-for-like sales increased in the UK by around 1.7%, while total sales increased by 3%, and like-for-like sales were 1.1% higher in the UK and Ireland combined, with total sales 2% higher. The two territories together accounted for 45% of total sales.

The retail division of the AB Foods group posted sales in excess of 4 billion 

However, in Europe (excluding the United Kingdom and Ireland), like-for-like sales fell by 5.7%, while total sales declined by 1%. This region nevertheless remains the main driver of sales, accounting for 49% of the total.

In this context, Primark recently announced the opening of a new store in London, specifically in Wimbledon, the first opening in the city in almost ten years.

Primark ended the last financial year (ended in September last year) with a growth of 1% to 9,489 million pounds ($12.775 million), with a contribution of openings to the increase in sales of 4%. Operating profit stood at 1,120 million pounds ($1,504 million), 1.8% more than in 2024, having soared 53% twelve months earlier.