DEFIANT Primark at the moment revealed {that a} lockdown till March will value it £1 billion in misplaced gross sales however insisted it can bounce again strongly as soon as outlets re-open and dismissed analysts who say it wants to go surfing.

Guardian group ABF – Related British Meals – had beforehand stated gross sales can be down by £650 million as a consequence of short-term retailer closures since Covid started.

Primark famously doesn’t do web gross sales, arguing the price of supply would solely improve the value of the garments, undermining its essential benefit over rivals.

Richard Lim of Retail Economics, stated: “The lack to change to on-line during times of lockdown is laid naked by these figures. Whether or not the retailer will discover a solution to make the economics of on-line retailing work stays to be seen… However at present, Primark shouldn’t be collaborating in that battle and the longer these disruptions proceed, the bigger the value they should pay.”

ABF finance director John Bason informed the Normal: “I hate the truth that we’ve misplaced £1 billion of gross sales. However at our value level on-line deliveries don’t make sense. Primark is completely different. Folks look ahead to us. We are going to get via it and wish to the opposite aspect.”

He notes that Primark gross sales soared after the primary two lockdowns. “After we re-open, we all know how effectively we commerce,” he stated. “Our whole market share has remained rock strong. We’ve one thing particular.”

The downbeat assertion at the moment was simply to “give traders transparency”. He added: “Our view is that individuals are wanting ahead to occurring vacation, having a celebration and buying at Primark.”

Total group gross sales are up down 13% to £4.8 billion within the 12 months so far. Gross sales of meals – it owns Twinings and Silver Spoon – are up 7%.

ABF says it’s “effectively ready” for the top of the Brexit transition interval. It stated: “At this early stage, we’ve seen no materials disruption to our provide chains.”

ABF shares slipped 18p to 2203p, however are up sharply since a November low of 1669p.

Three quarters of Primark’s retail area is closed, together with all 190 UK outlets.

Primark has moved into the US, traditionally a spot the place UK retailers have failed.

ABF stated Brexit had not to date led to any “materials disruption to our provide chains” and it expects to see “little impression from modifications in tariffs”.