Primark owner Associated British Foods' shares tumbled to a 10-month low after the food processing and retailing company warned on its fiscal 2026 earnings, blaming a challenging consumer environment. Below is a selection of analysts' comments:
AB Foods' Primark Performance in Europe Softer Than Expected
0856 GMT - AB Foods-owned Primark's results came in softer than expected, specifically in Europe, RBC analysts Richard Chamberlain and Manjari Dhar write in a note. The British company also had slightly softer performance for grocery and ingredients divisions, the analysts add. Clothing retailer Primark's like-for-like sales at were down 5.7% year-on-year for Europe, though U.K. and Ireland sales grew slightly at 1.1%. AB Foods cited tough consumer demand in the U.S. and a volatile retail environment there as part of the issue, analysts say. Shares are down 12% at 18.99 pounds, but currently up 6.2% over the past year. (aimee.look@wsj.com)
Primark's Underperformance Drains Confidence in H&M -- Market Talk
1154 GMT - Primark's underperformance is a negative read-across for other retailers, particularly Sweden's H&M, analysts at J.P. Morgan write. Weak German sales data don't spell confidence for peer H&M, the analysts say. Primark has been underperforming in Europe in recent history they say. In addition to problems with brand perception, it is challenging to conclude just how much the profit warning Primark owner AB Foods issued on Thursday will affect perception of its competitors, they add. AB Foods shares are down 11.5% at 19.03 pounds, its lowest level in nine months. H&M shares are down 3.9% at 178 Swedish kronor. (aimee.look@wsj.com)
AB Foods' U.K. Initiatives Could Also Work in Europe
1357 GMT - If AB Foods is able to replicate its initiatives in the U.K., it could strengthen its customer-value proposition in Europe, analysts at UBS write in a note. Its retailer Primark has been able to obtain more market share in the U.K. through initiatives that have improved its product offer, price perception and digital-customer engagement, they say. In Europe, weak consumer sentiment has dragged down like-for-like sales and, to counter that, they are trying to replicate the initiatives that worked well in the U.K., the analysts say. Meanwhile, the U.S. is still volatile and that has hit consumer sentiment and footfall, they say. Shares drop 13% to 18.71 pounds. (aimee.look@wsj.com)
Primark's Deteriorating Europe Performance Has Investors Questioning Value Proposition -- Market Talk
1436 GMT - The deteriorating performance of AB Foods' Primark in Europe will raise questions over the resilience of its value proposition, as it faces increasing competition and weak consumer spending, analysts at Panmure Liberum write in a note. In the U.K., its ability to improve like-for-like sales shows that problems can be dealt with, the analysts say. However, it is uncertain if the European business can turn around through the same initiatives, they say. "Near-term concerns around Primark's performance will continue to dominate investor focus." More visibility on how the fashion retailer will reverse the like-for-like sales decline is needed, they add. AB Foods falls 14% to 18.48 pounds. (aimee.look@wsj.com)
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
January 08, 2026 09:46 ET (14:46 GMT)
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