PRIMARK has called on the Government to deliver “tangible” growth rather than “generic words” as waning confidence starts to strangle the economy. The fashion retailer yesterday posted a 6 per cent slump in like-for-like UK and Ireland sales — its first drop since shops shut during the pandemic.
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Eoin Tonge, finance chief of owner Associated British Food, told The Sun: “There is a weakness in consumer confidence that we don’t see in other markets.”. He highlighted that customers were nervous about their own finances because of gloomy warnings that the Budget could impact jobs and hiring, particularly temporary workers, adding: “There is nervousness because those cut-backs will be impacting those on lower incomes.
![[Rita Ora modeling her new Primark collection.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/i-m-excited-launch-new-948909093.jpg?strip=all&w=640)
“There has definitely been too much talking down but now there needs to be tangible talking up. It can’t be generic. We need messages about tangible growth and the route to get there.”. Overall Primark’s sales rose by 2 per cent, helped by its collaborations with Rita Ora and Christmas ranges.
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However the UK, which accounts for 45 per cent of Primark’s sales, suffered in comparison with strong sales in Europe and the US. Primark’s warnings came as Sainsbury's yesterday announced plans to axe 3,000 jobs in the face of higher costs. And a closely watched survey suggested Brits were bracing for “dark days ahead”.
The GfK consumer confidence index has registered steep falls in confidence in family finances and the wider economy. It is affecting factories too — with them recording the fastest slump in orders and confidence since the pandemic, according to the CBI’s Distributive Trades Survey.
