Breadmakers Hovis and Kingsmill in merger talks May 3, 2025 The owners of two of Britain’s biggest bread producers – Hovis and Kingsmill – are reportedly in discussions regarding a merger between the two firms as challenges deepen for the market. Associated British Foods (ABF), the owner of Kingsmill’s parent company Allied Bakeries, and investment firm Endless, which owns Hovis, are in talks about a [...]
ABF weighs closing Yorkshire plant after accusing government of ‘undermining’ viability April 29, 2025 More than 100 jobs could be at risk after the owner of a Yorkshire bioethanol plant said it was considering shutting down the facility, blaming the move on the government “undermining” its viability. The Salt End, Kingston upon Hull-based plant, which is operated by Vivergo and employs around 150 staff, has swung to a loss [...]
What’s next for Primark after shock CEO resignation? March 31, 2025 The surprise resignation of Primark’s boss, Paul Marchant, due to poor social conduct has caused shockwaves across the retail industry. Marchant’s departure was promoted by an investigation by Primark’s owner ABF into the CEO’s behaviour towards a female individual, which Marchant called an ‘error of judgement’. Chief executive of ABF, George Weston, said he was [...]
Primark boss resigns after investigation into social conduct March 31, 2025 Primark boss Paul Marchant has resigned after an investigation into his behaviour by Primark’s parent company ABF. ABF’s share price fell nearly four per cent after the announcement. ABF Finance Director Eoin Tonge will act as Primark chief executive on an interim basis, while ABF Group Financial Controller Joana Edwards will act as interim ABF [...]
Retail stocks: Luxury pulls ahead while fast-fashion brands Asos and Primark lag February 20, 2025 Luxury stocks have started to outperform high streets brands once again as investors bet on a luxury upswing. Brands which struggled last year – like Burberry and Kering – are bouncing back, while brick-and-mortar reliant firms like Primark are struggling. The ten largest luxury retailers by market cap have seen their stock price rise by [...]
City broker slashes price target for Primark-owner Associated British Foods January 24, 2025 Analysts at Panmure Liberum downgraded their rating for Primark-owner Associated British Foods from ‘Buy’ to ‘Hold’ after Primark underperformed over the festive quarter. Panmure downgraded its target price for ABF to 1900p from 2800p. Its share price currently sits at 1,892.50p after falling five per cent in the last five days. Associated British Foods reduced [...]
Weak UK sales pull Primark down despite international growth January 23, 2025 Lower sales in the UK and Ireland pulled Primark’s performance down in the last quarter of 2024 despite double-digit growth in countries like Spain, Portugal and the US. Primark’s parent company ABF Foods told markets this morning that sales in the UK and Ireland, which account for approximately 45 per cent of its market, declined [...]
Primark earnings jump despite weather hit November 5, 2024 Budget retailer Primark has seen annual earnings jump by more than 50 per cent in spite of an early summer weather hit to sales. Owner Associated British Foods reported a 53 per cent rise in operating profits at Primark, to £1.1 billion over the year to September 14 as groupwide like-for-like sales lifted 1.2 per [...]
Primark owner-backed food chain eyes £300m listing September 26, 2024 One of the world’s oldest commodity traders, backed by Primark owner Associated British Foods (ABF), is plotting a £300m float on the London Stock Exchange. Czarnikow, which ships a variety of foodstuffs, has begun meeting with groups of institutional investors with a goal of floating in the next few months, Sky News reported. The group [...]
Keir Starmer visits Ireland in bid to reset UK’s relationship with Dublin September 7, 2024 Sir Keir Starmer is to visit Ireland as he seeks to reset the UK’s relationship with its nearest neighbour. The Prime Minister will travel to Dublin on Saturday to meet with the Taoiseach, Simon Harris, in his first official visit to Ireland. Commerce across the Irish Sea, a trade relationship worth 100 billion euros a [...]