British flour, yeast and bread maker; ABF acquisition completed in 2026
Associated British Foods says Primark has bought an automated Sheffield warehouse and will offer home delivery in Great Britain in the future, expanding beyond its click-and-collect model. ABF notes a 2.6% drop in Primark sales year-on-year, with UK performance modestly positive while continental Europe underperforms. The demerger of Primark from ABF is planned for end-2027, positioning Primark for a potential FTSE 100 listing.
Shein's Hong Kong listing is priced lower than hoped, valuing the company around $26.3 billion. Trading began shakily, with early losses narrowing as markets digest regulatory twists, tax changes, and weak consumer sentiment that have weighed on the fast-fashion group after a rapid ascent.
Associated British Foods has reported a forthcoming update on fourth-quarter trading, with Primark leading sales amid a volatile retail climate. Analysts expect a potential late-summer boost from price reductions on hundreds of clothing items, while ABF prepares to spin Primark off as a standalone FTSE 100 entity by 2027. The update also flags pressure from higher gas costs and a weaker sugar division.