Fashion retailer Primark said on Monday it would reduce prices by up to 29% across hundreds of bestselling womenswear, menswear and kidswear products, seeking to improve trading ahead of next year's demerger from parent Associated British Foods.
Associated British Foods plc (ASBFY) Q2 2026 Sales/Trading Call Transcript
Associated British Foods PLC (OTCMKTS:ASBFY - Get Free Report) has been given an average rating of "Reduce" by the six research firms that are presently covering the firm, Marketbeat reports. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell recommendation, two have assigned a hold recommendation and one has issued a strong buy recommendation
Shares of Associated British Foods PLC (OTCMKTS:ASBFY - Get Free Report) passed below its fifty day moving average during trading on Wednesday. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $25.41 and traded as low as $25.0701. Associated British Foods shares last traded at $25.1050, with a volume of 55,505 shares trading hands.
Associated British Foods plc (ASBFY) Q2 2026 Earnings Call Transcript
Associated British Foods reported an 18% decline in operating profit and said it was tracking a possible downturn in consumer spending
Associated British Foods plans to demerge the clothing retail business from its food operations, and list the two entities on the London Stock Exchange.
Associated British Foods has decided to separate its Primark fashion chain from its food businesses through a demerger following a review of the group's structure, it said on Tuesday.
Chinese ultra-fast fashion giant Shein has become the cheapest apparel retailer in every major European market, undercutting even Primark and intensifying pressure on the Irish value clothing chain at a time when its parent company is already navigating a difficult backdrop. Research from RBC Capital Markets, which surveyed entry-level clothing prices across Spain, Germany, France, Italy and Sweden, found Shein consistently ranked below Primark on price – a competitive dynamic that analysts say has contributed to Primark incurring higher markdowns and margin pressure over the past year.
A British watchdog said on Thursday Associated British Foods' acquisition of Hovis has raised competition concerns in Northern Ireland, while provisionally clearing the deal in Great Britain after finding ABF's Allied Bakeries would otherwise close.
Eoin Tonge—who has served as interim Primark CEO since last year—takes the reins at a time when the retailer faces sluggish sales.
Britain's Primark named interim CEO Eoin Tonge as its permanent boss on Thursday, even as parent Associated British Foods explores a separation of the fashion chain.