COVID-19: Primark predicts £1bn in lost sales if lockdowns persist to end of February

The owner of Primark has warned it faces losing over £1bn in sales if coronavirus lockdowns force the majority of its stores to remain closed through February.

The store-only discount fashion retailer, which has traded well from pent-up demand during the COVID-19 crisis to date when restrictions have allowed, said it was clearly facing a “significant” financial hit.

Parent firm Associated British Foods (ABF) has steadfastly refused to trade the Primark business online despite the disruption.

It reported that 305 of its 389 stores – 76% of its shops – were currently closed.

The company disclosed a 30% slump in sales in the 16 weeks to 2 January.

It said Primark’s underlying half-year profits to the end of February were now forecast to break even on the previous year as a result.

Just weeks ago it had predicted £650m of lost sales in the six-month period.

Under a scenario that growing restrictions could force its entire estate across Europe to shut until the end of March, ABF said the total sales loss would increase above £1.8bn.

However, ABF said Primark had offset some of the impact on trading through a 25% reduction in usual operating costs.

Shares opened almost 2% down.

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