Primark enjoyed “record” sales in England and Wales in the first week of reduced lockdown restrictions allowing stores to reopen, the company said.
But the pandemic and forced closure of stores hit parent company Associated British Foods hard in the six months to February 27 with sales down 17% to £6.3 billion and adjusted profits before tax down 50% to £319 million.
Primark’s owner also revealed it will repay £121 million in furlough cash claimed for workers in the current financial year, including £72 million to the UK Government, and will not make any further claims under various government job retention schemes.
Following the decision to repay taxpayer cash, the company also announced it will pay a 6.2p-a-share interim dividend to shareholders worth £49 million.
