Primark sales rose four per cent for the first three quarters of the year. Sales bounced back after a soggy May kept shoppers out of stores. Margins widened to 11.7 per cent in the first half from 9.8 per cent in the year-earlier period.

Primark is a budget fashion retailer owned by Associated British Foods. Primark is driving sales growth by expanding new stores at a breakneck pace. AB Foods expects better purchasing and fewer discounts to help offset a recent recovery in the dollar in the second half. The company has forecast a higher operating margin this year and has been reducing markdowns and benefiting from a weaker dollar that makes it cheaper to source garments from Asia. A stronger July is expected due to the improving weather. Last year had the feel-good factor, with the hot weather, the royal wedding and soccer World Cup, which boosted sales for Primark. A huge new Primark outlet in England has been outfitted with trend rooms that showcase the latest looks as well as Harry Potter and Disney areas. It’s designed to be a concept store for the future. The retailer will expand in the US.