Primark is delivering strong sales growth in the United States. The UK-based brand has a disciplined store-by-store approach. It offers trendy clothes at rock-bottom prices. It is confident it can succeed in a country that has been a graveyard for some of Britain’s biggest retailers, including Marks & Spencer, Tesco and most recently Topshop. That confidence is underlined by a move to create a supply chain closer to the US market. Primark currently sources all its clothes for the United States from its traditional suppliers, China, India, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Vietnam and Turkey - a costly exercise as stock is freighted across the Pacific through the Panama Canal and up the US eastern seaboard. The plan now is to tap suppliers from countries in Central America, such as Guatemala, Costa Rica and Mexico. Primark’s combination of value, fashionability and breadth of range can mean it can build a US business over the next decade as big as its one in Europe.

Founded in 1969, Primark trades from 373 stores in 12 countries. Profit increased nearly fourfold in 10 years - achieved without venturing into online shopping. Primark contributes more than half of the total profit of its parent, Associated British Foods, which also owns major sugar and grocery arms.