Primark maintains 'strong' growth

Primark opened one new store in the UK and one in Spain in the quarter

Primark has continued to see strong growth in sales, its owner Associated British Foods (ABF) has said.

Total sales at the clothing chain rose 15% in the 16 weeks to 19 June compared with the same period a year ago.

However ABF added that the weakening of the euro had an adverse effect on sales outside the UK when converted into sterling.

Group sales across ABF, which also owns the Silver Spoon, Twinings and Kingsmill brands, rose 13%.

ABF said it had reduced its net debt from £1.09bn to "somewhat below £1bn" during the quarter.

Group trading remains on track to deliver "very good progress" for the full year, ABF said.