The fashion retailer posted a 4.5% increase in sales on a constant currency basis in the 16 weeks to January 4.

Primark attributed the sales growth “almost entirely to the increase in selling space”.

Sales in the UK increased 4% compared with the same period the previous year. However, the fashion giant registered a “marginal decline” in like-for-like sales during the period.

Following a “particularly good” November and December Primark increased its share of the total clothing, footwear and accessories market.