Primark’s parent company Associated British Foods (ABF) has confirmed its reduced outlook and revenue decline for the 16 weeks to 3 January.

The business said Primark revenues dropped 2.7% on a like-for-like (LFL) basis, with LFL sales in its European arm falling 5.7%.

UK revenues rose 1.7%, with combined UK and Ireland sales growing 1.1% on a LFL basis.

Total sales in the fashion brand’s US arm rose 12% over the period.

The update comes after ABF  – which owns food brands including Ryvita, Patak’s, Jordans and Silver Spoon – reported sales forecasts for the period earlier this month.

ABF said that it would announce its interim results for the 24 weeks to 28 February 2026 on 21 April.

In November, Primark saw its UK sales decline as ABF considered splitting the fashion retailer and its foods brands into two separate companies.

The business has launched a strategic review, implemented with the help of Rothschild & Co and with the support of its biggest shareholder, the Weston family’s Wittington Investments.

Robyn Duffy, consumer markets senior analyst at RSM UK, said” With the business still overwhelmingly store-led, softer shopper footfall across the wider UK retail market continues to present a challenge in a subdued apparel environment.

“Execution risk also remains in Europe and the US where digital marketing and click-and-collect are not yet completely embedded, limiting Primark’s ability to fully replicate the UK playbook across its global footprint.”

She added: “Primark generates more than half of ABF’s profits, which makes group performance increasingly sensitive to shifts in discretionary spending. That exposure was evident over the recent Golden Quarter, when trading across apparel was uneven and Primark appeared to land on the weaker side of the divide.”

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