// Primark sales rise but remain behind pre-pandemic levels
// Compared to pre-pandemic levels, Primark said total sales fell 5%
Primark has recorded a rise in sales during the crucial Christmas trading period but remained behind pre-pandemic levels.
The fast fashion retailer posted a 36% increase in sales year-on-year during the 16 weeks to January 8.
However, Primark has warned of potential job losses after revealing plans to “simplify our in-store UK retail management structure”.
READ MORE: Primark to create 700 jobs in €250m Irish investment
Primark owner Associated British Foods (ABF) said this was part of an “ongoing programme to improve the efficiency of our store retail operations”.
The company was impacted by widespread store closures across the UK and Europe during the comparable period a year ago.
Compared to pre-pandemic levels, Primark said total sales during the period fell 5%, while like-for-likes dropped 11%.
In its core UK business, like-for-like sales were 10% down on pre-pandemic levels. Stores in retail parks were the only destinations to achieve growth on a two-year basis.
ABF said sales in the UK were “well ahead” year-on-year. It said trading had been impacted by a decline in footfall following a rise in Omicron cases, but had improved “in recent weeks”.
Click here to sign up to Retail Gazette‘s free daily email newsletter
