Value fashion specialist Primark has poached an executive from European retailer C&A as it prepares for expansion on the Continent.

Guy Young has been appointed international trading director and will be in charge of Primark’s buying for Ireland and Europe.

The C&A veteran, who has most recently been one of the driving forces behind the retailer’s low-price Avanti chain, will play a key role as Primark extends its European business. Primark has a handful of stores in Spain, but intends to push into northern European countries such as Holland and Germany as early as next year.

The appointment of Young follows that of New Look director Paul Marchant as chief operating officer (Retail Week, June 27).

Primark parent Associated British Foods updates on third-quarter trading tomorrow. Panmure Gordon analyst Graham Jones said it would be “unrealistic” to think that Primark would not have been affected by the slowdown that has hit clothing retailers such as M&S. He did not expect like-for-like growth in the third or fourth quarters.

It is understood that Primark’s Oxford Street store has generated sales of£200 million since opening in April last year.


Primark poaches New Look's Marchant

Topics