Primark enjoys bumper festive UK sales as shoppers head to city centres

Owner ABF says its grocery brands such as Twinings and Kingsmill also increased trading

Primark’s sales rose ahead of expectations over Christmas as shoppers returned to city centres and consumer spending was more resilient than anticipated.

Sales at the cut-price fashion chain’s established stores rose by 11% in the four months to 17 January, compared with the same period a year before, as owner Associated British Foods (ABF) said it had sold more items of clothing while prices had also risen.