Primark to trial click and collect service in Britain

Bloomberg

Associated British Foods Plc said that budget-clothing retailer Primark will test a UK click-and-collect service on children’s products, seeking to boost sales that are still recovering from the pandemic.
In a significant departure for a retailer that has previously resisted moving any of its sales online, the trial will take place in up to 25 stores in the north west of England later this year and is expected to drive higher footfall and boost sales, the company said in a statement.
Primark was hard hit during lockdowns as stores closed and it lacked an online business to fall back on. Sales are recovering since stores reopened, but like-for-like they are still 9% lower than pre-Covid levels three years ago, AB Foods said.
AB Foods shares rose 2% in early trading in London.
“Primark has got the authority in children’s clothing,” said John Bason, chief financial officer, speaking in a phone interview. “We’ve got a very strong following and we think the opportunity is very big here.”
The move to consider expanding online follows the launch of Primark’s new website in April, which allows customers to check the availability of products in stores, but still doesn’t let them transact online.
Traffic to the new site is up by about 60%, compared to its
previous version which just showcased some of the ranges in store, and customers are viewing twice as many pages as before.
Famed for its low prices, Primark warned that soaring inflation in Britain will lead to selective price increases of some of its autumn and winter clothing range as cost savings aren’t enough to offset the pressure of inflation.
For now, it’s too early to say how consumers are reacting
to the higher cost of living, but they are buying colourful dresses and luggage and holiday essentials at Primark, showing the return to socialising and holidays abroad, Bason said.
Primark is on track to deliver a full-year adjusted operating profit margin of about 10%.
AB Foods, which also owns sugar, agriculture and ingredients divisions, said that the group overall is trading in line with expectations with the
outlook unchanged. Sales grew 10% in the food business in the third quarter, reflecting price
increases to counter input cost inflation.
Speaking about the rise in petrol prices, Bason said higher energy costs affect AB Foods in terms of the cost to produce and distribute goods. The higher costs are reflected in price increases, he said.