Key facts
- Primark is launching a home delivery website in Great Britain.
- The launch is supported by the acquisition of a warehouse in Sheffield.
- Primark is preparing to demerge from its parent company, Associated British Foods (ABF).
- The demerger is expected to create two new FTSE 100 companies.
- Primark's total sales increased by 2% year-on-year in the fourth quarter.
- Like-for-like sales at Primark decreased by 3% in the fourth quarter.
Primark, owned by Associated British Foods (ABF), has announced the launch of its home delivery service across Great Britain, a move intended to complement its existing store-led model and drive profitable growth. The initiative will be supported by the recent acquisition of a warehouse in Sheffield, previously part of Debenhams Group. This expansion into online delivery comes as part of a trading update for the fourth quarter of 2026, which concludes on September 12.
For the fourth quarter, Primark reported a 2% year-on-year increase in total sales, although like-for-like sales saw a 3% decrease. ABF noted a challenging consumer environment but highlighted positive customer reception to Primark's latest value campaign and autumn/winter collection. Womenswear continued to be a strong category across all markets. Prolonged hot weather in the UK had initially delayed the start of autumn/winter shopping, with trading improving as temperatures cooled.
Primark is also expanding its franchise business, with plans to open its first store in Saudi Arabia in spring 2027 through an agreement with Alshaya Group, and a new deal with El Puerto de Liverpool to open stores in Mexico. The previously announced demerger of Primark from ABF's food business is progressing and is anticipated to be completed in December 2027, creating two new FTSE 100 companies.
ABF chief executive George Weston stated that the group delivered resilient trading and that actions to strengthen Primark's customer proposition are ongoing. He noted that the UK and womenswear remain priority focus areas, outperforming other markets and categories, while trading in continental Europe remains challenging. The 'Iconic Value' campaign is described as a strategic investment in price perception with encouraging initial customer reaction.