Primark’s US dilemma

THE American shopping scene is proving a tough nut to crack for Primark.

The budget retailer is due to open its ninth store in the US after launching in Boston in 2015.

Critics said that uptake of Primark across the pond had been slow and owner Associated British Foods has said it would slash the size of three stores. ABF asked investors to be patient as it fine-tuned its product for the US.

John Bason, finance director at ABF, said: ‘ We want the US to like us. We will make some changes and then when we know we’ve got a successful model we will roll that out.’ He said Primark in the UK was ‘on fire’ in the 16 weeks to January 6, with sales up 7pc.