(Alliance News) - Associated British Foods PLC on Monday warned that sales in its largest business unit Primark are set to fall this financial year after stores were hit by the 'pingdemic' in the final quarter.
Sales at the fast fashion retailer in the second half of the financial year ending September 18 are expected to come in at GBP3.4 billion, bringing the full-year total to around GBP5.6 billion. That's down 5.1% from the GBP5.90 billion revenue Primark made in financial 2020, and down 28% from the GBP7.80 billion in financial 2019.
It's also lower than AB Foods expected, as the so-called "pingdemic" in the summer forced staff and would-be customers to stay at home for ten days if they came into contact with any positive Covid cases.
Shares in AB Foods were down 3.0% to 1,911.00 pence in London on Monday morning, the worst performer in the FTSE 100 index.
"Data shows that high street footfall was impacted by the caution displayed by many consumers at that time. The self-isolation rules were then eased in early August," AB Foods explained.
In addition, the London-based company cautioned that virus restrictions have slowed its Primark store rollouts and a stronger pound will result in a currency exchange hit of around GBP35 million for the full year.
"The 'pingdemic' came at a bad time for Primark, throttling some of the recovery it had been seeing and holding back sales in the fourth quarter," Interactive Investor Head of Markets Richard Hunter said.
"However, when access to the stores was unfettered, the picture was extremely bright. A combination of pent-up demand and very high basket sizes propelled sales and, since the easing of further restrictions, sales of the likes of the back to school ranges started strongly."
Despite the revenue slip, AB Foods' profit outlook is brighter, with adjusted operating profit for the financial year ending September 18 is expected to top last year's level of GBP1.02 billion, benefiting from an extra trading week.
At the AB Grocery unit, which includes the Twinings tea and Silver Spoon sugar and sweetener brands, revenue is expected to rise. Meanwhile, AB Sugar will post a 7% revenue hike, the agriculture arm AB Agri has seen sales "well ahead of last year", and the Ingredients unit also will post a revenue improvement.
By Ivan Edwards; ivanedwards@alliancenews.com
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